Dear Fr Seán Coyle,

Good day and peace! My name is Anne Concepcion G. Pozon from St Scholastica’s College, Manila. The stories in Misyon made me reflect on and understand the difficulties in my life. In the September-October 2004 issue, I was particularly touched by the story of Blessed Gianna Beretta Molla, the mother who risked her life for the sake of her baby.

I felt a connection of that story to my life. When I was five months old, according to the stories I’ve heard from my parents, I nearly died. They said that I had meningitis, which nearly took my life. My mom and dad were really on the verge of despair. The doctor said that I might never wake up.

But my parents didn’t give up, especially my mother. With strong faith in God, she and her sister went to different churches praying for my health.

My mother offered God her life in exchange for mine. She then asked God for a sign if I would live, the sign to be that someone would give her flowers.

My Tita also did the same while praying to God for my recovery. She promised that she would make me a religious and faithful person.

On my mom’s way back to the hospital, someone did give her a flower. She was really excited and so she rushed to the hospital to tell the doctor about this miracle.

‘My daughter will live,’ she said. But the doctor didn’t believe her. The doctor explained that I was really in a crucial state and had no chance of living. But miraculously, the next day, I began slowly to feel fine. The doctors of course were astonished at this. And after one week, I was released from the hospital, already healed.

So I survived. I’m currently living in this paradise. My Tita fulfilled her promise. She brought me to all of those churches. Also, she gave me a little Sto Niño she bought in Cebu. My mom also did her part; she made me visit Baclaran church every Wednesday. I did become a religious and faithful person. And I’m happy because of it.

A million thanks to all of the Misyon staff. Misyon really enlightens me!

Anne Pozon