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Mr. and Mrs. McHugh had a beautiful baby girl, named Marianne. At two years old she became very, very ill. The doctors said her temperature was 104 degrees, which is very hot and very dangerous. If it went to 106 she would die. They called a doctor who came to the house but he was afraid to take the baby outside to the hospital. He was afraid the cold weather would kill Marianne.

The next day the doctor came again. Marianne's temperature was 105, and the doctor gave Marianne's Mom and Dad the sad news that Marianne would probably not live through the night.

Mr. and Mrs. McHugh were desperate. They called Father Murphy, who had prayed over little Marianne earlier that day. (He was their pastor at Saint David's in Detroit.) But no matter how much he prayed, there was no change in her condition.

Father Murphy told them, "Call Fr. Solanus at the Capuchin Monastery right away. Dowhatever hetells you to do."

So, she called Fr. Solanus, who said, "Wrap up your child in a blanket real good, and bring her down to the Monastery to see me right away."

But the doctor had told her the cold weather might kill Marianne. Poor, poor Mrs. McHugh, she began to cry.

Then she remembered what Father Murphy had said. "Do whatever he tells you to do."

Mrs. McHugh and her mother bundled up Marianne. They drove to the monastery. It was a long cold ride, and cars back then were not as warm as they are today.

Fr. Solanus met them at the door of the monastery. He took the baby from Mrs. McHugh and held Marianne in his arms. He prayed silently for a very long time...and then...he smiled at the young child.

Fr. Solanus placed Marianne back into her mother's arms and walked them to the car.

As he closed the car door he called the mother by her first name and said, "Therese, besure to bring her back on Saturday for Mass."

But Therese cried, "Father, the doctors don’t think she’ll live that long."

But Fr. Solanus said, "Just do as I tell you. Bring her to me; she’ll be ready."

That night Mrs. McHugh put Marianne to bed, and through the night she placed cool, damp towels on Marianne's hot forehead. She continued to pray for her daughter.

About six o'clock in the morning, little Marianne opened her eyes, smiled and said, "Mommy, I'm hungry."

Mrs. McHugh jumped up and noticed that the sheets and pillowcases were soaking wet. The fever had broken. Her little girl was healed.

Mrs. McHugh called the doctor and Father Murphy. They both came right over. The doctor said, "This is a miracle." And Father Murphy could not believe his eyes.

And the little girl? She just looked up at the two astonished men and smiled.

Blessed Be God, in all His Designs!

Discussion Questions for Children

  1. Little Marianne was very sick. Why was the doctor afraid to take her to the hospital?
  2. When Marianne's temperature rose to 105 degrees, what sad news did the doctor tell Marianne's mom and dad?
  3. How did Marianne’s mom and dad feel when the doctor told them that Marianne might die?
  4. What did Father Murphy tell Mr. and Mrs. McHugh to do?
  5. What did Fr. Solanus tell Mr. and Mrs. McHugh to do? Were they afraid of following Fr. Solanus' instructions? Why?
  6. What did Mrs. McHugh and her mother do with Marianne?
  7. When Fr. Solanus held Marianne in his arms, what did he do for a long time?
  8. What did Mrs. McHugh do with Marianne during the night?
  9. How did Mrs. McHugh know that Marianne was all better?
  10. How do you suppose Marianne’s parents felt when they say her well?
  11. How did Marianne feel?
  12. What do you think it was that made Marianne get well? Was there more than one thing?
  13. If someone was sick, really sick, what things would you do?

Advanced Questions

  1. What does St. Paul tell us to do when someone is sick?
  2. What can a priest do if you or someone close to you is really sick? And why is it important that a priest be involved in serious illnesses?
  3. There were a number of persons that were involved in Marianne's healing. Who were they and how did they contribute?