The Boston Globe has the story on Jack Sullivan, the Marshfield, Mass., man who has been cured of a longstanding illness through the intercession of Venerable John Henry Newman.  "For Sullivan, who said he has remained pain-free since his prayers were answered and who has lately been busy fertilizing his rose garden and celebrating 40 years of marriage to his wife, Carol, the Vatican finding confirms what he has long believed.  In an interview at his home, the good-natured, rosy-cheeked Sullivan said his most striking memory of that summer day in 1991 is the wave of well-being that swept over him as he prayed."  Mr. Sullivan, by the way, is a married deacon. 

The idea that the redoubtable English cardinal would be praying for the Marshfield man from his post in heaven is as good an illustration as we have of the Communion of Saints.  The full story is here.

James Martin, SJ