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 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.