Believe in Healing
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
When one seeks divine intervention for a health affliction, it is Jesus who bestows healing, albeit not according to our temporal expectations. To anticipate recovery, one must cultivate unwavering faith in His capacity to assist. I recently experienced healing from cancer. A PET scan conducted approximately two weeks ago revealed an absence of cancer after enduring eight years of positive diagnoses. In my inquiry to the oncologist regarding the potential for recurrence, he elucidated that such a possibility exists. But I have great faith in God’s healing process.
In 2019, I received a diagnosis of COPD/Asthma Syndrome. This affliction results in persistent episodes of coughing and choking over a period of six months. I prayed, as did my friends; the Lord healed me. Each time I have my lungs checked now, the verdict comes back that they are completely clear. Praise the Lord.
There have been a number of healings in my life over the past 20-30 years. I am Roman Catholic and a member of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS). I take my religion seriously. I’ve spent over 7 years in a monastery, a time that has deepened my faith and my knowledge of theology. In my twenties, I devoted a period of time to the Capuchin Franciscans; however, my familial obligations necessitated my departure after a mere fourteen months. U.S. Army life followed almost immediately after, in the early 1960’s.
Then there was a long period away from the Church. I returned in 1985, and then there were about two years in the OFM (Franciscan friars), a group that wasn’t a good fit for me, followed by four and a half years in a contemplative order of monks in Massachusetts. They regretfully closed, and I went home (actually before it closed when we knew it would close). At that point, I was in my mid-fifties, not a good time to find another religious Order. This wasn’t a great loss because I had made profession in 1994 in the OFS, and I am still deeply involved in the Secular Franciscans on the Fraternity level and at the Regional level.
In my years in religious life, we consistently engaged in the recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours, and as Secular Franciscans, we are also encouraged to partake in these sacred prayers of the Church. I watch a lot of solid religious shows on EWTN (including Holy Mass) but also secular movies, often rated PG or G.
Just recently, in the past 2-3 months, our OFS Fraternity (which had, for a time, been below Canonical minimums in membership), joined an existing fraternity in another town, and this also had a positive effect on my spiritual life. Fraternity meetings in a larger group often has a positive effect, breathing new life in the group overall.
Peace and Good, and His blessings!
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
July 13, 2025 (AI has been used in paragraph formation.)