Merz Institute of Lay Empowerment and Spirituality

A Sign of God’s Favor: The Miracle for the Beatification of Blessed Ivan Merz:
Miraculous healing from an incurable disease of Anica Ercegović

Anica Ercegović, born in 1905 in the village of Gradusi, near Sunja, became seriously ill at the age of 19. Her illness, tuberculosis of the lungs, was incurable at that time, and she also suffered from other diseases.

After six years of unsuccessful treatment, at the beginning of July 1930, she prayed a novena to Ivan Merz. On the ninth day of the novena, she went to his tomb at Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb, where she remained in prolonged prayer. The miracle took place at the grave while she was praying. She returned home completely healed.

After this, she lived in full health until her death. She never again saw a doctor or took medicine. She lived to the ripe old age of 82 and died in 1987, fifty-seven years after her miraculous healing.

Her miraculous healing through the intercession of Ivan Merz was confirmed on 8 May 2002 by a Vatican commission composed of five medical doctors. This miraculous healing was accepted by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints as a prerequisite for the beatification of Ivan Merz.

The following are excerpts from her letter, in which she described her illness and miraculous healing in detail. She wrote the letter to Fr. Josip Vrbanek, SJ, the spiritual counsellor of Ivan Merz, at the beginning of January 1943:

My illness and treatment lasted for more than six years. The days between 1924 and 1930 were filled with disease, treatment, and suffering. Dr. Barić, who treated me, said that my illness was serious and had to be treated accordingly. He found that I had an accelerated heartbeat, abnormal heart sounds, neurosis, rheumatism and arthritis, weak and diseased lungs, and a wound full of bacteria on my left side. He also found diseases of the bladder, stomach, spleen, and kidneys. He prescribed medicines, pills, and teas. I had a severe cough and had to take a special medicine every two hours. Nothing helped me, and I grew weaker and weaker.

I coughed badly. I felt as though I had wounds all over my body. None of the medicines did me any good. After some time, I went to see Dr. Vl. Ćepulić. He took an X-ray and discovered tuberculosis of the lungs. I endured great pain and suffering. My arms, hands, legs, and feet were swollen and deformed. I was unable to eat or walk because my fingers and toes were crooked. All the medicines were in vain. In 1926, I went again to see Dr. Ćepulić. He took another X-ray and found the same condition: a sick heart and weak lungs. And so I suffered and received treatment until 1930.

On 16 June 1930, my mother died. I became even more exhausted, both mentally and physically. In this condition, I went to Zagreb, to Vrhovac, for spiritual exercises held in July. The nun who assigned us to our rooms asked the teacher, Mrs. Grgić, why she had brought me, saying that she could see I was completely exhausted. The spiritual exercises were quite difficult for me, and my nose bled so much that everyone was frightened.

When the spiritual exercises were over, I went to Merz’s tomb at Mirogoj, asking him to help me recover. I knelt, prayed, and cried silently for a long time. I knew that I was not worthy to be healed. Yet already at the tomb, I was convinced that Merz would help me. From his tomb, I returned home healed.

When I came home, I told my family what had happened. They did not believe me and were afraid for me. They looked at me in amazement as I did all the housework. I had gone to Zagreb sick, and I returned well. I began doing all the household chores: cooking, washing clothes by hand, scrubbing the barn, and working in the garden. In between, I sewed. I also suddenly began to gain weight. Again, everyone wondered what had happened.

On 18 October, I went to Zagreb again to see Dr. Ćepulić. He did not know why I had come, but as soon as he saw me, he said, “But you are no longer ill. You look as stout as a bishop,” and he laughed. He performed an X-ray examination and wrote a certificate: “I examined Miss Anica Ercegović today and found her to be quite healthy.” This was my last visit to the doctor. I have been well ever since. I do not feel any sickness. Everyone is amazed and asks especially about my rheumatism. I feel as light as a bird in the air.

Since 1930, I have been going to church three times a week: on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. I walk five kilometres to the church and five kilometres back. On the way to church, I pray the Rosary. In church, I recite the Mass aloud and receive Holy Communion. On the days when I go to church, I do not eat breakfast. When I come home, I begin my work. Every Sunday, I work at the meeting of the Crusader women, and I also help at the meeting of the Catholic women. I also care for several patients, and there are other people whom I have to help.

My whole life is a hymn of gratitude to Jesus for the great gift of His help. Merz is with me everywhere, in everything I do, and he helps me; that is why everything becomes easy. He brings all my wishes and prayers to Jesus. Every day, I go in spirit to his tomb and place white flowers there.

Today, as we celebrate the anniversary of the beatification of Blessed Ivan Merz, Apostle of the Youth, we remember with gratitude that at this very hour, 23 years ago, Saint John Paul II raised Ivan Merz to the honors of the altar.

Blessed Ivan once wrote: “Man really is an idea that yearns after its source.” In this age of Artificial Intelligence, his words speak with renewed urgency. Technology may imitate thought, organize knowledge, and increase human capacity, but it cannot replace the soul’s deepest longing for God.

The great challenge of our time is not only how far intelligence can advance, but whether the human person will still remember his divine origin and eternal destiny. Blessed Ivan reminds us that man is not made merely for progress, productivity, or information. Man is made for truth, love, holiness, and communion with God.

On this 23rd anniversary of his beatification, may Blessed Ivan Merz intercede for us, especially for the youth, that every gift of the modern age may lead us not away from God, but closer to Him.

Blessed Ivan Merz, Apostle of the Youth, pray for us.

𝑉𝐸𝑅𝑆𝑂 𝐿'𝐴𝐿𝑇𝑂!

To celebrate the Feast Day of the man of the poor and less fortunate, advocate of social justice, and model of the youth, the Young Thomasian Professionals Lay Dominican Fraternity in partnership with The Manila Cathedral and the Frassati Society - Philippines, invite the public to:

𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗜 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲:
'PATAAS SA DIYOS, PABABA SA KAPWA': Frassati Catholic Youth Social Action Festival

👉 Exhibit on the Life and Works of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati
📍St. Jude Chapel, The Manila Cathedral
🗓️ June 27-July 4, 2026

On JULY 4, Saturday:
👉 Eucharistic Adoration & Morning Prayer
👉 Talks on St. Pier Giorgio Frassati
📍 The Manila Cathedral
⌚ 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM

👉 HOLY MASS to be presided by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila
📍 The Manila Cathedral
⌚ 12:30 PM

Join us as we mark St. Pier Giorgio Frassati’s first feast day celebration since his elevation to the sainthood last year. Let his intercession bring us further “to the heights,” as we persevere in witnessing to truth, virtue, and service, and as we also continue to aspire becoming persons of the Eight Beatitudes.

Stay tuned with the Pre-Registration details.

Prayer for Those Affected by the Earthquake

Heavenly Father, source of all mercy and consolation, we lift up to You all those affected by the earthquake. Protect those who are in danger, heal the injured, comfort the fearful and grieving, and strengthen all rescuers, volunteers, and public servants who are assisting those in need.

Grant safety to families, provide shelter to the displaced, and restore hope to all whose lives have been disrupted by this disaster.

Through the intercession of Blessed Ivan Merz, who taught us to place our trust in You in every trial, and Saint Emigdius, patron against earthquakes, protect Your people and keep them safe from harm.

May Your loving providence guide us, strengthen our faith, and bring peace to all who suffer.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

On this Feast of Corpus Christi, let us remember the words of Blessed Ivan Merz:

“The Eucharist is our first joy on earth.”

Every Holy Communion is a personal encounter with Jesus, the source of life, strength, and holiness. May our hearts always hunger for His Presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament and may our lives reflect the love we receive from Him. 🙏❤️

ANNOUNCEMENT | INSTITUTE OPENING RITES 2026

We cordially invite all members and friends of the Merz Institute of Lay Empowerment and Spirituality to join us for the Institute Opening Rites later at 7:00PM.

For those who would like to join the Google Meet but are not enrollees for this year's programs, kindly send a message to this page to receive a special link.

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady under the title Mother of the Church. This celebration is very timely, for we have just celebrated yesterday the Solemnity of Pentecost, when the Church was publicly manifested through the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Church is the fruit of the Paschal Mystery of Christ. From the pierced side of Jesus flowed blood and water, a powerful sign of the birth of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. We also thank Pope Francis for establishing this memorial in the liturgical calendar beginning in 2018 through the decree Ecclesia Mater.

What struck me most today are the beautiful readings.

In the first reading, we are brought back to the Fall of Man and to the promise of a Redeemer through a Woman. It always gives me goosebumps to reflect on how deeply this passage reveals the reality of sin. Adam and Eve hid themselves because they disobeyed God. Adam, in his pride, answered God by shifting the blame to Eve and indirectly even to God Himself for giving her to him. Human beings often become defensive, justify themselves, or point fingers at others when confronted with sin and guilt. Even the act of hiding reveals the fear and shame that sin brings into the human heart.

What, then, should Adam and Eve have done? They should have admitted their fault, humbled themselves, and returned to God in repentance and reconciliation. The same invitation is given to us whenever we sin or hurt others. God does not desire our hiding; He desires our return.

What, then, is the connection with the Gospel?

Today’s memorial reminds us that we have a Church to run to whenever we fall into sin. Through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, He entrusted to the Church, through her bishops and priests, the mission to embrace, forgive, and absolve sins. This is also an invitation for every family, the “domestic church,” to become a place of mercy, forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation. Jesus Himself taught us to forgive those who are repentant and humble.

How beautiful it is that the Church has a Mother who serves as our advocate. In the Gospel, we see Mama Mary standing faithfully at the foot of the Cross beside her Son. Even in suffering, she remained steadfast in faith and love. There, Jesus entrusted her to the beloved disciple, and through him, to all of us: “Behold, your mother.” Mary’s maternal intercession continues in the life of the Church. She never abandons her children. Rather, she constantly leads us back to Jesus and to His Church, helping us seek reconciliation with God, with our families, and with those whom we have hurt.

Just as the Holy Spirit is our Paraclete and Advocate, Mama Mary, the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, lovingly intercedes for us and leads us to the Father who is both merciful and just.

The liturgical celebration today should instill in us the comforting truth that, despite our sins and weaknesses, we are never abandoned. We have a Mother who teaches us to stand firm amid trials and difficulties. We have a Mother who helps us to humbly admit our faults, reconcile with one another, and courageously fight against disobedience, pride, temptation, and sin.

Mary, Mother of the Church, reminds us that no sinner is ever abandoned when he humbly returns to God. Beneath the Cross, she continues to stand beside her children, leading them back to Christ and His Church, so that one day we may all be united with God in heaven as one family in His eternal Kingdom.