(1936-1964) Benedetta was born in northern Italy and contracted polio in childhood, requiring her to use a leg brace for her lifelong disability. She studied medicine at the University of Milan and diagnosed herself with the rare Von Recklinghausen’s disease, which would lead to blindness and deafness. After multiple surgeries, increasing paralysis, and gradual loss of her sense perceptions, Benedetta had to abandon her medical studies. She sought a miracle at Lourdes in 1962, and instead of her own healing, the girl she interceded for experienced a healing. She went a second time and left at peace, knowing that healing was not God’s will for her.
In 12-step recovery, we don’t seek a cure; we learn to live with our disease. Blessed Benedetta found peace with her own illness, seeking only God’s will for her life and the power to carry that out (Step 11). This requires radical surrender (Step 3). God is powerful where we are not (Steps 1-2). How does living with your condition differ from being cured once and for all?
“The universe is enchanting! It is great to be alive!” (Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro at age 7).
Reflection by Brad Farmer