Testimonial
She then held my
hand and we prayed
I was diagnosed with Mantle Cell
Lymphoma the week after Christmas 2010.
As you might expect, it was a shock to me
and I didn’t know what to expect, as I’ve never
been sick in the 54 years of my life. Just the
word “cancer” scares most people and the
worst outcome is always on your mind.
This type of cancer is very rare and very
aggressive. In the beginning I was told I had
a year to live and then I heard that some
people now are making 3-6 years with current
treatment. Once you get cancer everybody
you talk to has a story or person they know
and they tell you what you should do. When
I went on the internet to read about it, nothing was positive. I have
always been a “Positive Person” so I stopped looking at the internet
and tried to ignore any negative thoughts from other people.
In the same week that I was diagnosed with cancer someone
asked me if I had heard of Sister Dulce. I said that I have not, I
was told Sister Dulce was known for having a “special connection “
with God and that she prayed with and for people who were sick,
especially with cancer patients. Right away I decided that was what I
needed - a positive person of true Faith. I was told that Sister Dulce
was a very busy person and that it would be hard to get in to see her.
When I called and advised of my situation, her staff advised me that
Sister Dulce would make time for me because of my diagnosis.
When I first met Sister Dulce she asked me to tell her about
myself and my cancer. She then held my hand and we prayed. She
talked to “Papa” and she advised me that she wanted to see me
regularly and not to worry because I would be all right. When I left
her that day, I felt a special feeling of comfort and relief and I knew
that I would win this battle with cancer.
After I received two separate weeks of chemotherapy I had
to go in for another Pet Scan to see if my numerous tumors were
shrinking. After a Pet Scan the results are sent to the doctor’s office,
who calls you a couple days later to let you know what the scan
showed. Of course I was anxious but nervous
to find out. Meanwhile I had a appointment
with Sister Dulce, at which time I told her
of my diagnosis, my chemotherapy, and my
Pet Scan. Sister Dulce then felt the area where
the tumors were and advised me that certain
tumors were gone, some had shrunk and one
still needed some more work. I must admit I
didn’t know how to take this - the fact that she
thought she could “feel” my cancer-tumors
and relate my progress. I thought maybe she
was trying to keep me positive. Either way,
I kept the faith. Needless to say, the doctor’s
office called me later and told me my status,
which was exactly what Sister Dulce had
already told me. She was right and my belief
and faith were strengthened even more. The
same thing happened again after my next Pet
Scan about six weeks later.
On another occasion, Sister Dulce invited me to come to an
anointing of the sick. This was another good experience for me.
When I left the Center that day, I had a great feeling throughout
my body. It’s hard for me to explain it, but I had Peace and Calm
inside that I’ll never forget. Once again, I knew everything would
be all right.
When I started this battle with cancer I had a lot of things
going for me. I had a positive attitude, my previous good health, and
support from family and friends, but I wasn’t practicing my faith or
praying as I was raised to do. Sister Dulce changed that for me. The
one word that always came up during this time was “Faith.” Well,
Sister Dulce had Faith and she instilled it in me. They say everything
happens for a reason. I don’t know for sure why this happened to me
but I do know that I have a closer relationship with God (Papa) now
and also with Sister Dulce. What could be better than that.
I also want to add that my Pet Scan on May 11, 2011 did not
show any cancer and was completely clear. My last chemotherapy
was June 10, 2011. Thank you God and Sister Dulce.
Frank Caruso
Sister Dulce’s Prayer of Thanksgiving
Lord, I was told the evil of cancer had invaded my body. I turned within and found You present and strong within me.
The cancer gave me fear - You gave me the sure knowledge of a future full of life through faith in Your love. The disease
gave me pain – You gave me joy even when hurting because I was able to join my sufferings to Yours and thus help so
many who suffer every day. The disease presented me with an uncertain future – You helped me to find surety in Your will
for my future.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I have looked into the unknown only to find You present in my past, my present and my
future. Through Your great gifts of salvation, I have been allowed to drink from the fountain of eternal life.
Thus, I can only repeat the hymn my religious ancestors sang: Blessed be the God of Israel, who has come to His
people and set them free!
God gave me not only freedom from cancer but the inner freedom to know He will always be present in every moment
of life and at every trial I should happen to face in the future.
Sister Dulce Maria
