Bishop Thomas John Paprocki | Diocese of Springfield

Colette Gaston of Ashland, Illinois, survived a series of severe medical crises as a teenager. Her story was featured in the documentary "God is Alive, Part 2," produced by the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Gaston first experienced health problems at age 16 when she was diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis and rushed to the hospital with a dangerously high heart rate. During this time, her mother Joanne recalls an unusual encounter: “Of course, it was an emergency situation — her heart rate was incredibly fast,” Joanne said. “They didn’t even have a room for her. They just rushed her to the back corner of the ER hallways. I was just standing, leaning up against the wall and praying when an elderly man approached me and asked me, ‘Is that your daughter?’ I said, ‘Yes, it is.’ He said, ‘Can I pray with you?’ So, he grabbed my hands, and I closed my eyes, and we prayed. When he let go, I opened my eyes, and he was gone. I looked all around for him. I asked other people, ‘Did you see this man?’ ‘No, we didn’t,’ they said.”

Four months later Gaston returned to the hospital with additional complications including a collapsed lung and blocked femoral artery; part of a blood clot traveled to her brain after removal efforts. She required ventilation and transfer to St. Louis as kidney failure began.

“I don’t remember a lot at this time,” Gaston said. “I do remember a time when I was laying in my hospital bed alone, and I immediately closed my eyes and as soon as I closed them, I felt a giant hand completely over my head. It made me wake up immediately. It was so close, I almost felt it, and there was no one else in the room, so I know it had to be God. My Mom told me later that she had asked God to put His hand on me.”

On Palm Sunday 2016 Gaston's hematoma ruptured causing significant blood loss; she received exactly three units of blood—the last available at the hospital—which matched what she needed.

Doctors suspected an autoimmune disorder but could not make a definitive diagnosis; they estimated less than 40 percent chance of survival at one point during her illness.

Joanne described visiting The Basilica of St. Louis seeking help through prayer: “I knelt at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in the church, and I said, ‘Lord, I know Colette is not ours to keep. She is just a gift that is on loan to us...but I am begging you for a miracle...’”

A crucifix remained in Gaston's hospital room while she received daily blessings with holy water and St. Padre Pio oil during two months in intensive care before doctors recommended colon removal surgery—a procedure given less than 50 percent survival odds.

“I was laying in my hospital bed,” Gaston recalled about that period,“and I had a vision of myself...seeing a hospital hallway...full of saints walking...they were all interceding for me.”

She recovered from surgery more quickly than expected according to doctors' observations; after three months hospitalized—including relearning how to walk—she went home but continued dialysis treatment along with blood thinners.

Several months later Gaston attended a healing service at St.James Parish in Riverton where participants each received blessed rose petals believed capable of revealing meaningful images.“My mom and I just started crying because it was powerful,” Gaston recounted upon seeing what appeared as St.Padre Pio’s image on hers.“Padre Pio is interceding for us.He does hear our prayers...even though sometimes you don’t really feel it.”

Not long afterward,Gaston no longer required dialysis or blood thinners despite previous expectations these would be permanent.“My doctors and nurses are just blown away when they see me.Some of them don’t recognize me.They couldn’t believe I was the same person,” she said.

Reflecting on their experience Joanne added,“I’ve just trusted God that it has served a greater purpose.We’ll never know the people who were brought back to Christ.We had so many medical personnel out of the blue tell us,'I am a fallen away Catholic,I used to be Catholic.' We weren’t even talking about it,but they saw us praying the Rosary.They also heard Colette praying.One day,e ven when she was sedated,and I was in there,she was saying,'Blessed be Jesus.Blessed be Jesus.' The nurse said,'What is she doing?'I said,'She is praying.That’s what we do as a family.'So,I do think this has served ag reater good.”

Looking back,Gaston credits faith for her recovery:“Just incredible thanksgiving to God,and His mercy is just astonishing.”