Priest with brain tumor says he was healed while visiting Lourdes

“Thanks be to God,” the priest rejoiced. “I’m just very excited–I was happy either way, but again, I went to Lourdes and was healed.”

 

 

February 1, 2023 - Reported [here] and [here]. Video from Fr. John Hollowell's youtube [here]. Fr. John Hollowell of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis announced on Jan. 30 that he was healed of a brain tumor while visiting [Lourdes], France.

The pastor of Annunciation Catholic Church in Brazil, Indiana was first diagnosed with a brain tumor in [early 2020]. He decided to offer all of his suffering for the victims of clergy abuse.

In the YouTube video announcement, Fr. Hollowell provides a brief history and the providential nature of his diagnosis and healing.

He received his diagnosis on the Feb. 11 feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in 2020 at the Mayo Clinic.

“I found out that I had a brain tumor up at the Mayo Clinic on Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. That night, I actually had Mass in the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes.”

Fr. Hollowell then explains the Mayo Clinic’s history, which began after a Franciscan abbess’ supernatural vision.

“The abbess had vision of a hospital and Jesus told her to go into town and find Dr. Mayo. So she did, and that’s how the Mayo clinic started,” the priest said. “The nuns were the early nurses of the hospital. The Mayo clinic is actually connected, and in the same building as the chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes.”

The priest since underwent surgery and treatment, but shortly before he left for Lourdes, his tumor returned. However, he said he was at peace with death if God willed it.

“The MRI showed it growing back,” he said. “In fact, the MRI also found a tumor on my pituitary gland. I was okay if I died…I was willing to make the the sacrifice for victims of of Catholic clergy abuse.

“But I thought, if I go to Lourdes and I’m healed there, then that might have an impact on some of my fallen away family and friends from the Catholic Church. So I went there and I was healed,” he said.

“Thanks be to God,” the priest rejoiced. “I’m just very excited–I was happy either way, but again, I went to Lourdes and was healed.”

Fr. Hollowell then concludes his announcement thanking his viewers for their prayers.