By: Allie_Caulfield

Not long after we moved into our new home, I developed acute mastitis suddenly in the middle of the night. Newly pregnant, I was uncomfortable with using any medication, even over-the-counter pain reliever, at such an early stage. But a high fever could be just as damaging to the new life growing within.

In pain and fear, I lay awake and prayed. I saw myself surrounded by the saints to whom I had directed my appeal–St. Mary, our beloved mother, her mother and my personal patron, St. Anne, and patron of pregnant mothers, St. Gerard–and by my Lord Jesus himself. They laid hands on me, and the fever broke. I was finally able to sleep, and the mastitis cleared.  In time, our son was born perfectly healthy.