For about two years this boy had been suffering from Leukemia and you can imagine the suffering his whole family would have gone through. I remember going to his funeral Mass and I remember being very touched [and was more so when I discovered that ] he had a spiritual experience before he died.

[My sister's friend] recounted the story to [my sister]. She mentioned how a day before the boy died he gathered his family together to celebrate Christmas as if he knew he wouldn't be with them for December 25th. And so they did! She also said how the boy told his mother that he would look after her and that he was ready for Jesus to come and take him. One can imagine the impact this would have on his mother. Jesus had so obviously communicated Himself to this little boy. [My sister's friend] also spoke of the boy going out to a stable or something and of her belief that there, he must have seen Jesus. She told how strong the family had become and how much courage that 4 year old boy had given them. Truly this little boy's life had borne great fruit and I remain strengthened in my belief that there is a meaning to suffering and that in certain respects, it is not evil but redemptive. It remains a mystery.