A Miracle Becomes Part Of The Beatification Of Benedict XVI

The Vatican is studying a possible miracle attributed to Benedict XVI.

In May 2012, Peter Srsich of Colorado was 19 years old at the time. He had been diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma that was impinging upon his heart. The tumor was so extensive that doctors considered it risky even to administer anesthesia for a biopsy. Despite multiple rounds of chemotherapy and intense suffering, Peter maintained an unshakable conviction: he believed he could be healed if he managed to reach the Vatican.

During a general audience granted by the Pope, Srsich's moment occurred. As the pontiff passed by their group, Srsich's father handed the Pope a green bracelet bearing the inscription “Pray for Peter” and a verse from Romans 8:28. When young Peter met Benedict XVI and asked for his blessing, the Pontiff placed his right hand precisely on Peter’s chest and over the place where the tumor lurked even though no one had told him the exact location of the cancerous mass nor identified the illness.

What happened next has become part of the beatification process of Benedict XVI. 

Srsich immediately began steady improvement in his condition that defied doctor's analysis. His recovery was complete and medically inexplicable, and his health was full restored.

The boy became a man and continued his studies. Nine years after that healing moment at the Vatican, on May 15, 2021, Peter Srsich was ordained to the priesthood, thus completed a cycle of faith and healing that is now being rigorously examined. 

Father Srsich is now a parochial vicar at St. Thomas Catholic Center, a parish for students at the University of Colorado at Boulder. 

St. Thomas Catholic Center's website states:

"Father Peter Srsich grew up in the foothills of Colorado with his parents and a younger brother. From a young age, he had a great interest in the faith and that faith really came alive when he was at Mullen High School. Father Peter has always had a deep love for both music and the outdoors. He learned to ski before he knew how to walk and spent many weekends with his grandparents in Breckenridge. When he was about ten years old he began to learn how to play the violin, which set him down the path of learning how to play many different instruments.

"Just before his senior year of high school, Father was diagnosed with a severe form of cancer. This experience of suffering forced him to examine his faith in a new way. However, throughout his battle with cancer, he learned that Jesus was always walking with him and that the Lord can work incredible wonders even in the midst of great trials. Thanks be to God, Father Peter has been cancer-free for over ten years and has only grown in faith since!

"Father Peter graduated from Mullen High School in 2012 and then attended Regis University for two years before entering the Seminary for the Archdiocese of Denver. He attended St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver for three years before moving to Rome, Italy to finish his formation. He was ordained a Deacon on February 22, 2020 and then was ordained a priest a little over a year later on May 15, 2021. Following his ordination, he returned to Rome to pursue a Licentiate in Biblical Theology which he obtained in June of 2023 from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. Through his studies, he developed a great love of the Sacred Scriptures which he can’t wait to share with the St. Thomas community. As parochial vicar, he is excited about the privilege of walking with students at the University of Colorado during this incredibly formative and important time of their lives. Father Peter is most excited about being able to celebrate the sacraments for all of our student and resident parishioners."