Angela Faddis, Thank You Jesus
In 2011, this young mother was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, with no surgical options. Many people followed her story as her husband shared it on Facebook. I was one of them, and it touched me to the depths of my soul. Thanks to her and her family, I no longer fear cancer, should that fate be mine. So many people wrote to say that they, or someone they knew, returned to Church. In a world where people reject God, and there is no explanation for suffering and death, Angela’s showed us how death is not a decline, but a lifting home. What a powerful testimony. “Jesus, I trust in You.”
Here are some of the wall posts from recent days.
“I want people to know that no matter what, they must trust in Jesus. Even when I could not say the words, I knew I had to trust in Jesus and I would ask Chris to say the words with me. He held my hand and said, ‘Jesus, I trust in you.’” – Angela Faddis 8/25/12
Text message from a friend today: “My sister returned to the Church because of Angela. Thank you Jesus.”
When Angela was diagnosed I posted that we knew God would use this for his glory. It is the one solace we have in it all. It still hurts every morning as I think of losing her, but to know the graces God is pouring out through her suffering is an incredible gift. God is giving us this glimpse to help give us some sense of purpose in the midst of the storm. – Chris Faddis 9/13/2012
Source, click image
“Till Death”
As if I could keep you longer, I placed this ring back on your finger today – it had fallen off a few times.
Oh that this ring could keep you here longer. It is a mark of our commitment, it is my promise to love you with my whole heart, and yet there is a love greater than mine that will take you soon. How could this mere piece of gold compare to the love of God which loves you completely, wholly, and perfectly?
It cannot, so I will hold your hand a little while longer, I will keep putting this ring back on your finger. But when the time comes and he asks you for your hand, you can go. Go to that perfect love which makes all things new. Go and be whole again. For now, till death do we part. -Chris Faddis 9/17/2012
Today as I sat by Angela’s side – I asked her if I could pray with her, she had been trying to say something previous but couldn’t. She replied “it’s too hard to talk because of the angel.” I said it’s ok, I’d say the prayer and she could just rest. I asked again, are you seeing an Angel, she said yes. The whole time I prayed she was looking around the room. Her face which has been very ashen and dry was it’s normal beautiful color and not dry.
I prayed a Chaplet of Divine Mercy and explained that I wanted to offer our prayers for all of you and for your requests. I had also just asked her again to offer her sufferings today for all of you. So we prayed, she did mouth some of the prayers at times. But mostly just looked around the room. I prayed 4 decades for all of you and offered the last decade for Angela’s healing.
Know that she is very aware that she is praying for all of you and smiles when I ask her to take your needs to the throne when she goes to heaven. -Chris Faddis 9/19/2012
Dear Friends, my sweet Angela has gone home to be with our Lord. In a peaceful moment, Gianna gave her a kiss and Angela breathed her last. We trust that she got a straight shot to heaven and is enjoying an incredible joy that none of us could ever comprehend on this earth.
+Jesus, I Trust in You.+
Chris Faddis, Today 9/21/2012
Category: Personal
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- Solidarity Health Share: Discussion Starter | The American Catholic | September 28, 2012
I young Saint I read about the other day who was also taken by cancer said as one of her prayers: “If you will it, Jesus, I will it too.” this young saint died at the age of 19.
It is through the witness and testamony of many ‘Suffering Servants’ that many have returned to the Church. “Well done my faithful servant, come rest with me.”
I remember that Richard, remember that you posted that. This woman’s story touched me so much, a saint right before our eyes. Her courage, her husband’s too, in the face of death…their love…their love that went beyond each other…it’s just so amazing. A miracle.
I will never be the same, thanks to Angela and Chris. I, too, am no longer afraid of something like this happening to me. Seeing them travel this road with so much love and trust and joy proved to me that it can – and will – be beautiful if we just let Him make it so.
I will be forever grateful that our paths crossed in this life, and that we were able to witness their journey.
Heidi, Amen!
Heidi knew the family personally. What a gift. And such significance to the fact that she fell ill and was diagnosed on Easter Sunday, 2011. I will never forget her, and I never had the pleasure of meeting her.
I was looking at their site just yesterday and though it was so sad to see Angela’s tired hand being held so gently by Chris, I went away feeling so peaceful. I am praying for her family now (& also her, when my mother was dying she was so worried everybody would presume she was in Heaven and not pray FOR her), no matter what is it a terrible thing to lose your mother at such a tiny age. Of course her & Chris will still be a ‘team’.
I love this woman too! I just followed her on Facebook too but she greatly influenced my heart.
I’m linking to your excellent summary on my blog. Thank you!