James, a farmer from County Tyrone tells of favours received from Kathleen
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the holy child of Achill Island – Kathleen Kilbane. I have received so many favours from this child, she is so divine and so special in God’s care. I pray to little Kathleen every day, her name pops into my head so many times during each day. I know then that she is near. So I pray to Kathleen. I believe Kathleen has a great love for animals because this year I had a fine heifer that went down with a disease that affects the brain. The Vet told me that there is no cure. I asked Kathleen to intercede, I placed her prayer card on the animals head. I then realised something wonderful had happened, the animal lifted her head and stopped the heavy breathing. After a few days, the animal made a full recovery.
Another time last year I had a cow with a week-old calf. The calf went missing and my son and I went searching to find it. The calf was nowhere to be seen. After a few hours searching my son said there is no calf in this field, someone must have taken it. I said to him, I will go into the house and light a candle to little Kathleen. A short time later I came out to have a look and to my surprise, the calf was with her mother. I said to Oliver my son, that is the power and beauty of Kathleen.
It is a long way to travel from my place to County Mayo, but I visit there every year to Achill Island to pray at the grave of the Holy Child, Kathleen Kilbane. Little Kathleen spends her time in Heaven doing good on earth. This I know, I get a great happy feeling when I cross the bridge to Achill, this is holy ground. I believe this island is not far from Heaven. With the water all around and with a deeper meaning a symbol of the Holy Spirit, here the wonder of prayer is revealed.
At her grave, I talk to her and pray. One time I asked her to do something good for Achill and three days later the beach returned to Achill which had been lost for over 30 years. The sea had backed our leaving acres of lovely sandy beach. I am sure it was the Divine Spirit of Kathleen.
When I was at her grave one day I talked to her in my prayer. I told her I would love to know if she could hear me, “Please give me a sign.” I said. I turned to leave her grave and without warning a few large tears rolled out of my eyes, the tears were not normal because they were as large as marbles. The wonder of little Kathleen.
Whether you realise it or not Kathleen is with you, taking care of you. She is listening and knows you are helping to raise her to a higher glory.
Note: The sand at Dooagh, Achill Island, was washed away by storms in 1984, leaving only rocks and rock pools. But after a freak tide in the Spring of 2017, hundreds of tonnes of sand were deposited around the area where the beach once stood, recreating the old 300-metre stretch of golden sand.
