First intercession: healing of Sister Mary Theodosia Mug
The story about Sister Mary Theodosia Mug is powerful.
She was born Helen Mug in Attica, Ind. She attended the Academy, now known as Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods College, where she graduated in 1877. Her mother also attended the
Academy and received instruction for First Communion from Saint Mother Theodore
Guerin.
While she was a student, she met several of the sisters who were companions to Mother
Theodore. She would listen carefully to the sisters’ memories of their foundress, and she
began recording those memories. After graduation, Helen entered the Congregation and
was given the name Mary Theodosia. She became a teacher and writer. Her penchant for
writing was evident to her sisters, and she was asked to compose a book about the life of
Mother Theodore. It was published in 1904.
Writing the book was a challenge. In her younger years, she suffered from neuritis in her
right hand and arm. Later, she developed an abdominal tumor. The pain from the disease
persisted. She wrote the manuscript with the paper resting at knee height.
Sister Mary Theodosia’s health took a turn for the worse in 1906 when she discovered a
lump on her left breast. Diagnosis indicated it was malignant and her physician in Terre
Haute recommended an immediate mastectomy. The nerves and muscles on her left side
were damaged during surgery and her left arm became rigid. The abdominal tumor
continued to grow such that she could not kneel and she had difficulty walking.
On the evening of Oct. 30, 1908, Sister Mary Theodosia paused to pray at Mother
Theodore’s tomb. She did not pray for herself, but for Sister Joseph Therese O’Connell
who was very ill.
While she stood there praying, she said to herself, “I wonder if she [Mother Theodore]
has any power with Almighty God?”
“Instantly I heard in my soul the words ‘Yes, she has,’” as Sister Mary Theodosia wrote
later. She went straight to her room and remembered those startling words.
“Well, if she has, I wish she would show it,” Sister Mary Theodosia wrote.
She retired to bed in the early morning hours, spending much time proofreading and
writing. She arose three hours later and felt strong and rested. She started making the bed
and realized that she was using both hands and arms. Her fingers were strong and quick.
The tumor at her waist had disappeared. Her eyesight, which had been poor, was
corrected. But most noticeable was the fact that she could eat anything without digestion
problems.
“The vigor of my appearance now, the celerity of my movements and strength of voice
all are noted by the sisters who often ask me what has happened. To one and all I have
only this to say: Mother Theodore cured me,” Sister Mary Theodosia wrote.
She had many examinations at several medical facilities and no malignancy was ever
found again. She lived to the age of 82.