www.thefloridacatholic.org | Aug. 12-25, 2016 FLORIDACatholic PALM BEACH DIOCESE Could a local priest be key A miracle story to sainthood? for a priest with great faith LINDA REEVES LINDA REEVES of the Florida Catholic staff of the Florida Catholic staff

PALM BEACH GARDENS | Formal BOCA RATON | Retired Car- proceedings are underway in the Diocese melite Father Michael Driscoll of Palm Beach to investigate an alleged of St. Jude Parish became emo- miracle that could possibly lead the way tional when he shared his near- to a Carmelite priest’s canonization to death story, but smiled from ear sainthood. to ear when he talked about his “I can assure you that the whole Car- extraordinary healing, which he melite world is watching this event and credits to prayer and the help of a praying,” said Carmelite Father Mario man, who today, needs a miracle Esposito, vice postulator of the cause for of his own. canonization of Blessed Titus Brandsma. It was 12 years ago when Fa- Father Esposito took part in formal open- ther Driscoll, former pastor of ings of the diocesan investigation July 11 St. Jude Parish in Boca Raton at the Pastoral Center in Palm Beach Gar- and diocesan director of liturgy, Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito signs papers as part of formal dens, with Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito visited his doctor for his annual ceremonies July 11 opening the diocesan investigation into presiding. skin exam. Father Driscoll re- an alleged miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Carmelite Father Michael Carmelite Father Michael Driscoll, for- members the appointment like it Titus Brandsma, a Carmelite priest and martyr. Carmelite Driscoll speaks about his mer pastor of St. Jude Parish in Boca Raton, was yesterday. First there was the Father Mario Esposito, standing next to Bishop Barbarito, is experience with cancer and who is a sincere devotee of Father Brands- checkup, and then there were the vice postulator of the cause for canonization of Blessed its cure during an interview ma, may have the one authentic divine tests. After the scans, x-rays, and Titus Brandsma. (PHOTOS BY LINDA REEVES | FC) with the Florida Catholic. sign needed to bring the priest’s cause be- MRI came the doctor’s grim di- fore Pope Francis for his judgment. Father agnosis. the aggressive malignant mela- know how serious it was.” and proper treatment, the cure Driscoll, who continues to serve St. Jude “It was fourth-stage and fifth- noma attacking his neck area Melanoma is a cancer that rate for the cancer is good. How- stage cancer in some parts,” said behind the ear and spreading to usually starts in a certain type Please see SAINTHOOD, 3 Father Driscoll, then 62, about other parts of the body. “I didn’t of skin cell. With early detection Please see DRISCOLL, 2 Future saint? Who is Blessed Titus Brandsma?

LINDA REEVES In a letter, he told his parents, cal theology, was appointed rector at the Carmelite headquarters of of the Florida Catholic staff “I am happy now. I believe God of the Catholic institute in 1932. He the Scapular Bureau here.” called me here.” Anno took his was noted for his constant avail- Gestapo agents arrested Father PALM BEACH | Anno Sjoerd father’s name, Titus, when he en- ability to everyone. Brandsma and he was taken to a Brandsma, later known as Father tered the novitiate. He completed Writing and the Catholic press prison at Scheveningen, where he Titus Brandsma, was born Feb. 23, studies and formation and was or- were his passion. When he en- remained for six weeks and was 1881, in Oegeklooster, near Hart- dained June 17, 1905. tered the Carmelite monastery, constantly interrogated. He was werd, in the province of Friesland He wrote a few words from Luke Father Brandsma began writing transferred to a prison in Amers- in the Netherlands. He was one of 12:48 on his ordination cards. and working on poetry. In 1916, foort and then in Cleves, and final- Holland’s leading churchmen and “When a man has had a great deal he led a project focused on trans- ly to Dachau concentration camp a great Carmelite priest arrested given him, a great deal will be lating the writings of St. Teresa of in Germany. by the Nazis and imprisoned in demanded of him.” These words Avila into Dutch. He also wrote a He wrote about prison life while Germany. He died a martyr July clearly represent the true spirit of series of meditations on the Sta- at Dachau: “Blessed solitude. I am 26, 1942, was beatified in 1985, this man, who eventually gave ev- tions of the Cross and a magazine quite at home in this small cell. and became “blessed.” In order for erything, even his life, for the good for the Carmelite community in I never get bored here, just the him to become a saint, one bona of God and Church. the Netherlands. In 1935, he was contrary. I am certainly alone, but fide miracle is needed. Father Brandsma entered the appointed ecclesiastical adviser to never was Our Lord so near to me. Anno Brandsma was born Gregorian University in Rome, Catholic journalists and Catholic I could shout for joy because now, to farmers Titus Brandsma and where he studied philosophy. He newspapers. when I cannot go to the people nor Tjitsje Postma. In 1892 at age 11, received a doctorate in philosophy An article appeared in the the people come to me, he reveals he entered the Franciscan Minor Oct. 25, 1909, and returned to the April 10, 1942, issue of the Florida himself to me so often. Now, he is Seminary for boys in Megen. Af- Netherlands to begin ministry. He Catholic, which read, “The Rev. Dr. my only refuge, and I feel so secure A poster of Blessed Father Titus ter six years of studies and living began teaching at various schools Titus Brandsma, one of Holland’s and happy. If he ordered it, I would Brandsma hangs on a wall at St. Jude the Franciscan life, young Anno in Holland, becoming known as leading churchmen and one of stay here forever.” Parish, home to a small Carmelite felt called elsewhere. On Sept. 17, “The Professor.” In 1923, he joined the outstanding Carmelites in the Pope John Paul II beatified Fa- community. Father Brandsma was a 1898, he entered the Carmelite Catholic University of Nijmegen, world today, has been arrested by ther Brandsma Nov. 3, 1985. His Carmelite priest and journalist, who monastery in Boxmeer, Holland, which he helped establish. The the Nazis and imprisoned some- feast day is July 27, and is observed fought for freedom of the Catholic and professed first vows the fol- man, who was a prominent phi- where in Germany, according to by the Carmelite community press. lowing year. losopher, poet and writer in mysti- dispatches from London received worldwide. n Aug. 12-25, 2016 Florida Catholic YOUR PALM BEACH COMMUNITY 2

DRISCOLL FYI ‘(Father Driscoll’s) From 1 Diocese creates special focus recovery to me was on life of Blessed Brandsma a divine intervention. Because the promotion of the ever, melanoma can quickly spread cause for sainthood of Blessed Titus He taught me how to to almost any organ and can target Brandsma is the first such inquiry pray to Blessed Titus the lungs, bones, liver and brain. for the Diocese of Palm Beach, it is Stage 5 cancer is the most advanced a history-making milestone for the Brandsma, to whom he form of cancer and often the most diocese and one that creates added had a great devotion.’ difficult to treat. interest in the Carmelite priest. Medical data states that when That’s why the diocese has created a cancer has spread to organs of the special webpage — www. J. Albert Johnson body and lymph nodes, there is a diocesepb.org/titusocarm — de- higher risk that the cancer might voted to Blessed Brandsma and this press, was arrested Jan. 19, 1942. He come back after surgery. Rarely do historic inquiry. The page will help was later sent to Dachau concen- patients survive a long period of our faith community understand the tration camp in Germany where time following surgery. process of the path to sainthood, he joined 2,700 other imprisoned provide updates on the process as In the July 22, 2004, issue of the well as share more on his life. The clergy. Six months after arriving at Florida Catholic, a prayer plea ap- diocese received permission from the camp, he was killed by lethal in- peared titled “St. Jude pastor needs the Provincial of the Carmelites to jection July 26, 1942. prayers of healing.” The article read, post special biographical informa- Father Brandsma was declared a “Father Michael Driscoll, OCarm, tion on the life of Blessed Brandsma, martyr of the Catholic Church and pastor of St. Jude Parish and di- including his family life, schooling, beatified in Rome by John Paul II in rector of liturgy for the diocese, is professional career and more on November 1985. Events took place awaiting surgery at Massachusetts his imprisonment. The page also in- around the world in honor of the General Hospital in Boston. St. Jude cludes pictures of his life and reveals beatification of the man who gave parishioners and staff members of why his works and beliefs brought great witness of his faith and love of the Diocese of Palm Beach ask all him to the attention of the Nazis. Church and God up until he died — A relic of Blessed Titus Brandsma, a Carmelite priest and martyr, to keep Father Driscoll in prayers There is also information on the Titus praying, reaching out with the love is displayed at formal ceremonies July 11 at the diocesan Pastoral of healing through the intercession Brandsma Center in Holland. of Christ even to his torturers and Center in Palm Beach Gardens. The relic belongs to Carmelite of Father Titus Brandsma, a Dutch trying to spread the good news. Father Michael Driscoll, who believes he was cured of cancer by the intercession of Father Brandsma. (PHOTOS BY LINDA REEVES | FC) Carmelite, who was beatified in J. Albert Johnson, a Boca Raton 1985.” name, I come to you for Father Mi- attorney and St. Jude parishioner, “We were all praying for him,” chael Driscoll’s cure of his cancer. is a good friend of Father Driscoll. said Barbara Batchelder, a parishio- Lord, help me always to imitate the Johnson was there for him when ner of St. Jude, where Father Driscoll great faith, generous love and burn- he was going through surgery and continues to serve and live with a ing zeal of Blessed Titus Brandsma. treatments. He also prayed for Fa- community of Carmelite priests Glorify your servant as he strove to ther Driscoll. there. “It was touch and go for him. glorify you. Amen.” “His recovery to me was a divine We all came together in prayer as a Father Driscoll made it through intervention,” Johnson said. “He community.” surgery. Then, following the proce- taught me how to pray to Blessed The cancer had spread to 10 dure, he successfully came through Titus Brandsma, to whom he had lymph nodes. The salivary gland the harsh treatments that first year. a great devotion. Father Driscoll was also attacked. Father Driscoll He continued milder treatments would tell me, ‘I am OK because Ti- came through surgery with flying the next year and the year that fol- tus is going to take care of me.’ His colors, but next came 35 aggres- lowed. Father Driscoll said most recovery, I am sure, was through sive radiation treatments at a can- melanomas “come back after two to the power of prayer.” cer clinic in Peabody, Mass. five years.” Father Driscoll said he prayed Members of the Carmelite or- “I buried six people in our parish and was “determined to fight.” Papers are signed and sealed during formal ceremonies July 11 at der, who have a great devotion to who had it after I was diagnosed,” “The people around me were the diocesan Pastoral Center in Palm Beach Gardens. Blessed Titus Brandsma, contin- he said. “The doctors said I was all praying. Prayer is powerful be- ued to pray for his intercession for clear. After 10 years, they dismissed cause Jesus said, ‘Ask and you shall Father Driscoll. Parishioners of me.” receive,’” he said. “We are not arm- St. Jude, friends and people from When asked about any fears twisting God through prayer. We around the diocese continued to of losing the battle with cancer, are just putting ourselves in God’s pray and ask for Father Brandsma’s Father Driscoll firmly stated, “I hands and he decides. We trust in help. prayed and I was determined to God and trust in God’s will for us.” Margaret Owers, a former dioc- fight. The people around me were In October, Father Driscoll turns esan staff member who worked in all praying.” 75, and celebrates 50 years in the the diocesan Liturgy Office with Father Driscoll was born in the priesthoodin 2017. He believes that Father Driscoll and is now retired, Bronx, N.Y. He told us that he first he still has “work to do” for Jesus clearly recalled the news of Father’s learned about the life of Father Titus now that he has a new lease on life. Driscoll’s diagnoses and surgery. Brandsma when he studied at St. He continues to serve St. Jude Par- “It was very bad,” she said. “I had Albert Junior Seminary in Middle- ish and helps out at St. Joan of Arc the impression that it was the worst. town, N.Y. “A teacher told us about in Boca Raton. Many are inspired He gave me a stack of holy cards and him and the devotion,” he said. “I by Father Driscoll’s miraculous re- he asked me to distribute them. went over for his beatification.” covery that beats all odds, and his There were about 30 to 40 prayer Father Titus Brandsma was a strong faith in the power of prayer cards. I gave them out to people. I prominent educator, philosopher, through the intercession of Blessed kept a card, and I continued to pray poet and writer in mystical theol- Titus Brandsma, a man of faith, as I thought of him.” ogy. He was a true Carmelite, com- who now needs a miracle attributed The prayer on the card was short, mitted to Mary, prayer and the to him to proceed to canonization but many believe very powerful and mission of the Church. He served and sainthood. just the healing medicine needed: as president and as a faculty mem- Father Driscoll encourages all “God Our Father, your servant, ber of the Catholic University of those fighting the battle against Blessed Titus Brandsma, labored Nijmegen. He also served as an cancer or carrying other heavy zealously in your vineyard and gave adviser for Catholic editors and crosses to pray and have faith. “I his life freely because of his faith in newspapers in Holland. The Nazi would say have hope that this ill- you. Through his intercession, I occupation in Holland came in ness or misfortune is not going to Carmelite Father Michael Driscoll talks about his near death ask for your mercy and help. Father 1940. Father Brandsma, committed discourage you. God does love you. experience with cancer during an interview with the Florida Catholic. Titus never refused when he was to the Church and standing up for Just say no. I am going to fight. I am Father Driscoll believes because of prayer he was miraculously healed asked for help by your people. In his freedom of religion and the Catholic going to make every day count.” n from the aggressive malignant melanoma he battled.