Healing of Sister Gabriella Trimusi

Knelt in chapel during closing of novena to Thérèse and felt no pain for the first time in years. Rose and removed iron spinal brace immediately. Both conditions — knee and spine — resolved simultaneously and completely. Vatican-appointed physicians confirmed prior diagnoses and inexplicable recovery.

Sister Gabriella Trimusi was a member of the Poor Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Parma, Italy. She had suffered from two distinct and serious conditions for years.

The first began in 1913, when she struck her left knee while breaking firewood. The joint became infected and worsened progressively over time: the knee swelled, her movement was restricted, her appetite failed, and she became visibly emaciated. The condition was diagnosed as chronic arthrosynovitis. The second arrived years later, after she contracted Spanish influenza during a hospital stay — a complication that precipitated increasing pain in her spine. She was diagnosed with chronic spondylitis, a tuberculous lesion of the vertebral column, and was fitted with an iron brace to support her back. All conventional treatments had failed for both conditions. Physicians appointed by the Sacred Congregation of Rites later described both as "rebellious to all other treatment."

On June 13, 1923 — the closing day of a nine-day public novena in honor of the recently beatified Thérèse — Sister Gabriella entered the chapel. Without thinking, she knelt. She felt no pain. She rose, understanding in that moment that both her knee and her spine were no longer hurting her. She removed the iron brace herself. She cried out: "I am cured! I am cured!"

Physicians appointed by the Sacred Congregation of Rites confirmed the prior diagnoses and the complete and medically inexplicable recovery. After reviewing their report, Pius XI solemnly declared the cure certainly miraculous. The miracle was formally approved on March 19, 1925, and served as one of two miracles used for the canonization of Thérèse of Lisieux on May 17, 1925.