New book tells story of how Marion was healed at Knock

Over 30 years have passed since the day when Marion Carroll's life was transformed. In 1989, the Cartron Drive, Athlone, resident was wheelchair-bound and almost blind after seventeen years of a debilitating illness, diagnosed as MS.

That September, Marion was brought, on a stretcher, to the anointing of the sick at Knock Basilica.

After receiving Holy Communion at the Mass, she felt "a wonderful sensation, like a whispering breeze" which told her she had been cured and could now get up and walk.

To everyone's astonishment, she did.

Over the years that followed, medical records and personal testimonials were gathered as part of lengthy process in which Knock Shrine sought to have Marion's case officially declared a miracle by the Catholic Church.

Eventually, last September, the Church confirmed that Marion had, indeed, been healed at Knock and that her healing "defies medical explanation".

The local woman's story is now told at length in a book - 'My Miracle Cure' - which was published on May 28. It was written by Curraghboy native John Scally, a prolific author of books which are often about sport or religion.

Marion (pictured above) previously worked with John on a book, 'I Was Cured At Knock' which was primarily sold to pilgrims visiting Knock Shrine.

'My Miracle Cure', however, is a more in-depth publication which tells the story of her healing and her life over the three decades since then.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent recently, Marion said she was really pleased with how the new book had turned out.

"I was very happy with it. I trusted John completely, and I always knew that he would do a good job," she said. "John is a lovely person to work with. He's really one of the nicest people I've ever met in my life."

The cover, which includes a crucifix and a bouquet of daffodils, carried particular meaning for her.

"The cover was very important to me, because from the time I was a child we would pray the Rosary," she explained. "When it came to the sorrowful mysteries, and the carrying of the cross, I would close my eyes and see the Lord carrying the cross but it would be covered in daffodils; a cross of hope."

In 2010, this newspaper published a story about the efforts to have Marion's cure officially declared a miracle by the Church, but Marion said the process had actually started long before then.

"After I was cured I tried get all of my medical records but at that time you couldn't get them, you had to wait until the Freedom of Information (Act)," she said. "They process it from there, it goes through different stages, and it was decided that it was going to be passed."

The Church's official recognition of Marion's healing generated plenty of media attention last September. How did she feel when it was announced?

"Well, to me, the most important day was the day when I walked home," she said. "But the fact that the true presence of the living Christ in the Eucharist was recognised – and the power of the true presence – was very important to me.

"What the Lord did for me, He didn't do it for me, He did it for others. I was just the one that He used so people would see that He is there."

Marion is now 69, but quipped that she feels no older than 40. She is married to Jimmy, and they celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary on Friday last.

They have a son and daughter, Cora and Anthony, and five grandchildren; Chantel, Faith, Bethany, James and Ben.

For the last three decades her work has been "a ministry of healing" which has involved speaking with the sick and giving talks in Churches all over the world.

She said that this ministry has been as busy as ever in recent times. "It's really been constant, because I am either travelling or if I'm at home the phone is ringing for people to be prayed with over the phone," she explained.

She has taken "a vow of confidentiality" so that people can talk with her in confidence.

"I've always had lots of requests, and even though there was a lockdown (in recent months), I was still working. I was praying and talking with people over the phone.

"To be there for people is very important to me, because I have been where they are now, so I understand what they're going through.

"No matter how much love and support you get when you're that sick, it's a lonely road. I've been able to go to people and talk to them about what they're feeling inside, and they're surprised, but the reason I can do that is because I've been there.

"I know the emptiness that hits you inside and you can't talk to anybody about it. That hits you every now and again, and it's hard. When you are sick and someone comes to see you, you pretend that you're grand.

"I used to love it at night because everybody was asleep and then, (sighs), I didn't have to pretend anymore. Because you were trying to be well and cheerful for everyone. Everybody goes through that."

Asked about her thoughts on the Coronavirus, she said: "I trust the Lord completely. The way I've always seen life is; if I'm sick and then I get well, I am still living in the love of the Lord and the love of my family.

"And if I die, I go home to the love of the Lord and I can always keep an eye on my family."

She said many people who read 'My Miracle Cure' will be able to relate to her feelings and her story.

"I think when people read it they will say, yeah, that's me. Because there's no difference in anybody that gets sick or has a problem. We're all the same, no matter what our station in life is.

"I'm hoping that people reading it will realise that the Lord is there for them. I am nothing special. I'm just like them," she said. "The Lord will never leave you. You may leave him, but He will never leave you."

* 'My Miracle Cure' by Marion Carroll and John Scally is out now. It is available in all good bookshops or online at: www.easons.com