“Joe was perky and silly while there were there and enjoyed playing with a balloon with them,” reported Fr. Withoos, who is telling Joseph’s story in several e-mails requesting prayers for a miracle.
Joseph presently has tumors above his kidneys, in his spinal area, in the lower part of his lungs and in his skull. Tests show he has bone marrow disease and he will need marrow rejuvenation, though his white cell and platelet counts remain normal.
He is in “good spirits.” He can turn himself in bed and push himself up without pain because the chemotherapy has reduced the size of the tumors pressing on his nerves.
“The family and many around the world are asking Mother Teresa for a miracle,” Fr. Withoos said. “Perhaps she has already visited, based on the story above. Maybe she was ready to accompany JoeJoe to his eternal home.
“We will pray nonetheless for a miracle, because if we don't ask, miracles won't happen. Our World needs miracles sometimes. But in the end, the Lord's will be done!”
The family is asking that prayers for a miracle cure be directed specifically to Mother Teresa to help advance her cause for canonization. The religious woman of Calcutta needs one more recognized miracle to be declared a saint of the Catholic Church.
In a March 10 e-mail, Chad Wahlin told CNA his son is visibly better. The family is on day five of a novena to Bl. Mother Teresa.
“We are praying fervently and are thankful for your prayers,” he continued. “Bl. Mother Teresa, we ask your intercession for full and miraculous restoration of JoeJoe's health. Please let JoeJoe be the second miracle.”
Kevin J. Jones is a senior staff writer with Catholic News Agency. He was a recipient of a 2014 Catholic Relief Services' Egan Journalism Fellowship.