I died. I saw God … then I just woke up.”
That was how 87-year-old Laura Duterte Banzon described in
Cebuano what she said was the most extraordinary experience in her life.
Banzon, then 26, was afflicted with acute pneumonia and was
brought to Sacred Heart Hospital in Cebu City in 1952. Two days later,
she died.
An hour after she was declared clinically dead, she roused back to life.
Her physician, Dr. Dayday Borbon, considered it a miracle when
her patient recovered from her ailment and didn’t suffer any side
effects during the 60 minutes that her heart didn’t beat.
A woman of faith, Banzon believed that the miracle that happened
61 years ago was simply a reminder that people should not question the
existence of God. Her experience also made her a devotee of the Holy
Child Jesus, whose feast day is held every third Sunday of January
through Cebu City’s biggest and grandest celebration, the Sinulog.
Lifelessness
Banzon described her state of lifelessness in the hospital.
She saw herself lying on the bed while her family was crying.
Then a narrow road that could barely fit a person appeared on the side
of the window. It was long, steep and bright, but dark on the sides.
She followed the path and heard a voice telling her to sit beside him. “Sit to my right, daughter,” she was told.
The man was tall with deep-set brown eyes and was wearing a snowy
robe with a blue-green shroud. She thought that man was St. Peter, but
looking intently at his eyes, she felt his sacredness and thought she
was seeing God.
Little angels flew across the cloudless white sky. All had tiny
wings and were smiling. Some were playing while others were talking.
The man told her that they were children who died at a very young age.
No sun, moon or stars, but a garden of flowers with different
colors as if these were plucked out from a painting. One thing she
noticed: it was a very peaceful place.
The man told her that it was not her time yet. So she had to go back.
“An angel will escort you back,” the voice said.
Sto. Niño
Then she woke up. Her family was speechless.
The experience strengthened Banzon’s faith, especially on the Holy Child Jesus.
During the feast of the Sto. Niño, she would make sure she would
join the foot processions, as well as the nine-day novena Masses.
But two years ago, she slipped inside her “sari-sari” store and
suffered a leg fracture. She underwent surgery to replace a femur at
Velez General Hospital. Her physician Dr. Alejandro Mediano, advised her
to refrain from too much walking.
Her condition had stopped Banzon from joining the religious
activities. She had to content herself with watching the live TV
coverage of the procession and offering a prayer to the Sto. Niño.
Banzon lives with her husband, Manuel, 86, on F. Ramos Street in Cebu City. She has six children and 18 grandchildren.
The devotee said she tried to live a pious life.
“We will all meet God soon. That is why we should be good. We
should feel ashamed if we remain sinful. We must be ready to meet Him,”
she said.
Banzon said she was happy that God gave her 61 more years to
enjoy life. Now, she is more than willing to meet him a second time.
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Courtesy of http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/342921/a-devotees-story-of-death-and-faith
2 comments:
One thing I would not do is presume anyone crazy when they tell their story of having an 'out of body experience'. Why? Because I recall experiencing something similar when I was about 15 years old. I can't recall all the details but I will share with you what I do remember.
The little I recall is that I was lying on the sofa in our living-room. I do not believe I was sleeping but I had my eyes closed - I was on my back. I recall feeling light and vividly remember my body floating. I looked down and saw myself, lying on the sofa while my 'spirit' is floating.
I can recall repeating, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. I am not ready yet....." Eventually, I got up from the sofa. I was very active in the Church, I spoke with my Pastor about what happened and they prayed for me.
A few years later there was another such occurrence. I was still a minor. This time I was in my parents room lying on their bed. My eyes closed - I once again experience a light feeling. Someone appeared to me in the form of my niece, a toddler. The person said, "come with me, I want to show you something".....I can no longer recall what happened but the little I remember is that I refused and like what happened the first time, I woke up.
I am NOT crazy! This actually happened to me.
Thank you for sharing your testimony. This is definitely something that should be thoroughly explored. There have been too many reports for such things to be discarded.
Blessings,
KW
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