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How This Atheist Helped the Church Prove a Miracle

Published:
November 30, 2023
June 4, 2018
This atheist helped the Catholic Church gather proof of miracles. Read this inspirational story of faith.|Grotto quote graphic about the proof of miracles: "Miracles don't mean squat if they don't succeed in helping us engage with the source of the miracle." —Fr. John Kartje, PhD.

Yes. You read that title correctly. The Vatican relied on Dr. Jacalyn Duffin, an atheist, to help prove a miracle.

A couple of Grotto team members recently attended the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Theology on Tap featuring Fr. John Kartje, PhD, where we heard this atheist’s story.

Dr. Jacalyn Duffin is a medical historian, hematologist, author, and professor at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada.

The Vatican hired her, by way of a blind study, to provide expert testimony in the case of a second miracle presented in the cause for the canonization of Marie-Marguerite d’Youville, the founder of the Order of Sisters of Charity of Montreal, who was later declared the first Canadian-born saint.

Watch an interview with Dr. Duffin where she explains the study and the Church’s understanding of miracles and says, “Yes, this is a miracle. It’s a thing of wonder. Something that I can’t explain.”


If you are interested in learning more about what determines a miraculous healing, check out the Facebook Live video from Fr. Kartje’s Theology on Tap talk.

Grotto quote graphic about the proof of miracles: "Miracles don't mean squat if they don't succeed in helping us engage with the source of the miracle." —Fr. John Kartje, PhD.

Creators:
Grotto Shares
Published:
November 30, 2023
June 4, 2018
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