I mentioned previously that i'd been in touch with the woman who is now the Secretary of the Alexandrina Society in Ireland. She is based in Co. Longford and recently sent me some prayer cards and booklets on Blessed Alexandrina. One of the booklets is Blessed Alexandrina - Victim Soul by Damien Philpott. As well as telling Alexandrina's life story it also includes some striking exanples of Alexandrina's intercession in the healing of several Irish people. The first is an extraordinary story of miraculous healing in the womb which has been forwarded to Rome as part of the Cause for her Canonisation. I scanned the pages describing the intercessions from the booklet and attach them below. Blessed Alexandrina, pray for us.
Yesterday, April 25th, was the anniverary of Blessed Alexandrina's Beatification in 2004. I wasn't thinking of that when I posted the above accounts of her intercession in several healings which have occurred since then. The miracle accepted for the beatification of Blessed Alexandrina was the medically unexplained cure of Maria Madalena Azevedo Gomes Fonseca from an incurable condition, a severe and medically incurable case of Parkinson's disease. The miracle was officially approved by the Vatican in 2003, after a detailed investigation into the complete and lasting nature of the cure. This approval paved the way for her beatification on April 25, 2004, by Pope John Paul II. Blessed Alexandrina, pray for us.
Some years ago the English film production company Mary's Dowry made a movie about Blessed Alexandrina. In this short video one of the producers describes how the movie came about.
The full Mary's Dowry movie about Blessed Alexandrina da Costa. If you click 'Watch on Youtube', it's available.
"In an age of comfort and self-reliance, the life of Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa (1904–1955) stands as one of the most powerful Eucharistic witnesses of our time. At just 14 years old, Alexandrina jumped from a window to escape sexual assault, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. Bedridden and in constant pain for decades, she offered her suffering for the salvation of souls. But what makes her story truly extraordinary happened starting March 27, 1942. From that day until her death on October 13, 1955 — 13 years and 7 months — she consumed nothing except the Holy Eucharist. No food. No water. No liquids. Only Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Doctors, including skeptics, examined her under strict supervision. Medical science said she should have died within days. Yet she lived, conscious and even joyful, sustained solely by the Eucharist. Our Lord told her in a vision: "You will live only by the Eucharist. I want to prove to the world the power of the Eucharist and the power of a soul that lives only for Me." She became a victim soul, uniting her intense sufferings with Christ for the conversion of sinners and for priests. Despite her agony, she radiated peace and love, saying: “The Eucharist is the strength of my life. Without It, I could not live even for a moment.” Her life is a profound reminder that the Eucharist is not merely a symbol — it is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, our true Food and Living Bread. In a world where faith in the Real Presence is fading, Blessed Alexandrina’s miracle cries out: He is truly here. “Jesus, I live only for You and by You.” — Blessed Alexandrina Let this inspire us to hunger more for the Eucharist, to attend Mass with greater reverence, and to believe more deeply in His presence. Lord Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament, increase our faith! Make us live for You alone."
I posted this miraculous story a while back as a series of scanned pages from a booklet about Blessed Alexandrina. While this account is not as detailed, it may be more convenient to read as text. From the Emmanuel House of Providence, Co. Galway website: Miraculous healing by the intercession of Blessed Alexandrina emmanuelhouse | February 14, 2017 | "The following is an account of a letter from Fr Lawrence who has celebrated Mass here in Emmanuel House on many occasions. October 28th 2014, , Fr Lawrence was asked to meet with a couple to pray with them after hearing that their daughter, who was not yet born and at 30 weeks old, had “no legs”. Gerry and Elizabeth, the parents, were obviously devastated by the news but planned to keep the baby so on Thursday 30th October 2014 it was arranged that Fr Lawrence would meet with them. After talking about Fr Lawrence’ work, Gerry and Elizabeth explained their situation to Fr Lawrence. They said how that the doctor’s tests showed that the baby had not developed legs and that they had another test the following Monday. It was also anticipated that the baby would have to be induced around the second week of December (The feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe). Fr Lawrence then went on to tell Gerry and Elizabeth some of the amazing stories of Blessed Alexandrina and that he had brought a relic of Blessed Alexandrina. Fr Lawrence prayed over Elizabeth’s head asking God to heal this baby through the intercession of Blessed Alexandrina. Fast forward to April 2015, Fr Lawrence and a group from Limerick visited us here at Emmanuel House. Eddie invited Gerry up to speak to the congregation. Gerry explained how Elizabeth experienced a heat sensation and that she thought that Fr Lawrence had poured ashes on her head but there were no visible marks. Fr Lawrence was not aware of this until Gerry spoke about it in Emmanuel House. November 3rd 2014, Gerry and Elizabeth had received the tests back and it showed that their baby had legs. Doctor’s could not explain why, or what had happened. Doctor’s could not understand how it was possible that the baby grew legs from 5% development to 56% in 4 days. When asked by Gerry and Elizabeth whether or not the baby would have legs, the Doctor replied “I can’t say for sure”. Elizabeth burst into tears and went straight to the Church to pray the rosary. At 11:35 pm on December 10th 2014, Isabel Ruth O’Donovan was born. The next morning Doctor’s made a visit to Elizabeth and Ruth. After rubbing and pulling Isabel’s feet and legs, they placed the blanked over her and said, “She has legs” Isabel was baptized on February 21st and she is doing great." Blessed Alexandrina, pray for us.
From Beata Alexandrina de Balasar Fb page: "The connection between the Holy Spirit and Blessed Alexandrina of Balasar is deep and central to her mysticism. Considered a "fisher of souls", her mission of redemption was guided by revelations where Jesus Himself assured her that the Holy Spirit continuously dwells in her, with her words and inspirations coming from the Third Person of the Holy Trinity."
