My husband and I wanted a second child, however, I was diagnosed as having cervical cancer and was told not to get pregnant. I would need a hysterectomy right away because the cancer is very invasive. After seeing several doctors and them telling me the same thing, I found out that I was pregnant. The doctors told me that it would be fatal for me to continue my pregnancy. I was determined to have this child and we prayed with the Wednesday night Rosary Prayer group at the Shrine, we prayed on St. Pio's relics for his intercession.

Each time I went to another doctor to get an opinion to find out how I could get treatment and save my baby, the doctors kept referring to my baby as "it". "It" will not live. "It" will not be normal. I was so upset because, "it" was a person. I told them that "It" was my baby. They told me that I was lucky as I have one child already, and I told them that including my pregnancy I have 2 children. If I don't fight for my baby, then who would. I would die for my children. I also told the doctors if they had nothing positive to say then keep it to themselves. I kept telling myself that I got pregnant for a reason and God would not let me get pregnant so I would kill this baby to save myself. I felt that God would help me and my child survive.

After seeing five doctors who all said the same thing, "abort the baby or you will die -there is no way you can go nine months and save the baby or yourself". The odds were not in my favor. I found a doctor to perform surgery on me to see how invasive the cancer was. This was against the doctor's better judgment. Again, I had some hope. So, at thirteen weeks, I had surgery. Three days later I received a call from the doctor telling me that the cancer is nine millimeters in depth and over 32 millimeters in length. We had evidence that this might spread. The doctor said you have to get a hysterectomy right away, as the baby will die. I was devastated. I then asked the doctor, if I want to try and have the baby, would she help me. She replied, "The baby would not make it, nor would you". "You would have to find another doctor". So, my husband found a doctor in NY that would take my case. I feel that God sent him to me. We traveled three and half-hours to the doctor every two weeks; this was not easy as there were many setbacks and heartbreaks.

This one incident, the baby doctor called me to tell me that my blood work came back and I am very sorry but the baby has Down syndrome. I was stunned. I asked the doctor, how could this be? She told me that this happens to woman in there 30's that are at risk. She asked me what I wanted to do. I stopped to think and regroup. I told her that the test is wrong. When I went to get my blood work, I saw on the paper the wrong due date written in by her office. She said, "Really, wait a second and let me call you back. After waiting about a half hour, she called and said, "I am so sorry, we reran the test and the baby is fine.

My faith was tested again. I remember getting the test results not once, but twice, that the medicine to help mature the baby's lungs for delivery, did not work. I just broke down and cried, why is this happening? I kept reminding myself, God has a plan and there is a reason for this. This is what gave me strength to keep going.

My doctors were real worried about me as I was the only woman to have gone the longest with cervical cancer and being pregnant. That is why I wanted to take the baby as earliest as possible. My doctor said, "We can not wait any longer". In two weeks we will take the baby at 37 weeks and hope the baby's lungs will be O.K.".

Then finally, the baby starting breathing properly and on January 29, 2003 I gave birth to a healthy 6 lb. 10 oz baby girl. We named her Madison Pio Avena. My husband and I were so overjoyed; words cannot express how we felt. The long journey of waiting was finally over and Madison was here.

My cancer stayed in remission all during the pregnancy and then was removed. Now, I am cancer free and I have my second child that I hoped and prayed for. I feel that my prayers were heard and guided by St. Padre Pio's intercession. I knew his presence was with me through this long ordeal.

My doctor in New York is writing this case in the medical journal for other doctors to study this case in hope that it will help other women. Also, documents are being sent to Rome to review this case for the classification as one of St. Padre Pio's miracles.

I hope my story will give hope to many who are giving up and losing hope. I was given two miracles, 1) I was saved. 2) Madison Pio was given a chance to live. I never lost hope and I never doubted my faith. I thank God everyday for one more day at life and I look at my children and I feel so blessed to be able to be here with them and them for me.

My husband and I are forever thankful to our Dear Lord for his blessings and St. Padre Pio's and Our Blessed Mother for their intercessions.

Remember never give up. If you have your faith, you have everything.

Trisha Avena

Meet Madison Pio Avena in her Christening outfit.

A WRONG TURN ---ENDS UP BEING THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR ME AND THE SHRINE

This is the most remarkable story of my life. I became a Catholic within a year. I was not going to Mass. I was not real strong in my faith. I am a construction worker and work many long hours, in an environment of loose language.

This one night I was going to dinner with my wife and nine year old year daughter, I turned down some country road and was kind of lost. Then I saw this sign, "future home of Padre Pio". I have a friend, who 30 years ago told me about him. I told my wife Diane, "Look this is the fellow that my friend talks about". We went to dinner and on the way back we saw three people in a field and I told my wife that I was going to stop and see these people. My wife questioned me why I wanted to stop here, and I replied that I just want to stop here. When I pulled up, they were just finishing the Rosary, which I have never said in my life. They looked up at me and asked, "Are you a construction worker"? I said yes, this is what I do, and they all got excited. I was thinking… why did they get so excited? They told me that they had a fellow that was going to help them with the Shrine and now he is having problems and cannot help them. They asked would you help us with the Shrine. I replied, I think I can help you, and at that, my wife looked at me like I was crazy. They needed help which would cost tens of thousands of dollars, which I do not have. I said I think I can help you, and at that time the whole field lit up with the smell of incense*. It was so strong that it frightened my daughter and lasted for about 10 seconds.

These people were so excited that they ran to their car to give me some blueprints. When I returned to my car my wife said "are you crazy, do you know what you have just done, you told those people that you were going to help them". How are we going to help them, we do not have that kind of money. I said that I don't know, but when we get home, I would like you to write a letter to my employer, who is a large contractor. I may have seen him once or twice in a year and he does not know me. I took the letter to work with me and I told a fellow worker what happened to me, and he agreed to call the big boss's secretary and within three hours the big boss was standing in front of me. He had no idea as to what I wanted, so I told him what had happened to me and I showed him the blue- prints and he looked up at me and asked, " Did it smell like roses"? * I told him, no, it was like incense. He said give me three days to look over these blueprints.

Within three days he called the founders of the Shrine, Pete and Marie, and told them that he could build the monument and don't worry it will not cost them anything.

This was an eight-month journey in building the monument and Padre Pio was in my life every day. My brother's son had leukemia and they were looking for a bone marrow match. For several months my daughter has been praying to Padre Pio to help her cousin. My brother told me that they found nine or ten matches, at which every one was elated, with this good news. The doctor took tests before they would start the bone marrow transfer, and to their surprise, they could not find any signs of leukemia and therefore the bone marrow transfer was not necessary. This is how my life has changed, and through Padre Pio has brought these things to light. I started going to Mass regularly; I now see how rich the Catholic faith is. Padre Pio has changed my life.

* Indicates the presents of St. Padre Pio
John Stahl

A LONG WAIT, SHORTENED BY PRAYERS

My brother Raymond, who lives in Florida, is a diabetic and was in need of a kidney transplant. The doctors told him that the waiting list for a kidney would be about one year. However, two years later, still no word as to when a kidney would be available. Things got very bad for Raymond, he was so weak that he could no longer walk and therefore was in a wheelchair.

I received a call from my sister-in-law that Raymond's condition continued to worsen and that he was seriously ill. On Saturday morning my mother, my husband and I went to the St. Padre Pio Shrine in Landisville, NJ to pray to St. Padre Pio for his intercession to help Raymond. The next Tuesday morning they called to tell Raymond that he was seventh on the list. On Tuesday afternoon they kept calling him telling him he was number six. Then, later that afternoon they call and said the he was number five, then another call he was fourth and then third, and second, then finally, on Tuesday evening he received the kidney.

The doctors said that operation went along beautifully and to the doctor's surprise, the kidney started functioning before the operation was completed. Raymond is doing very well, thanks to Our Lord for answering the prayers of St. Padre Pio, through his intercession and our prayers to St. Padre Pio to help my brother.

Maria A. Morawski

It Works. ……Prayers are answered

Please have faith in St. Padre Pio. I prayed to St. Padre Pio faithfully as my breast cancer that had returned. I prayed so hard, that the cancer would not spread to my lymph system.

My prayers were answered. My latest biopsy test was clear. And now, I am just receiving radiation.

I will always be grateful to our Lord and the intercession of St. Padre Pio and spread the word to keep praying for his help. You must keep praying.

Edith Flatley