Collection of Lourdes Medical Bureau case files and reports

The contents of this collection cover the medical records and case files regarding the investigations of John Traynor, Francis Pascal, and Vittoro Micheli's miraculous cures at Lourdes.

The Lourdes Medical Bureau (Bureau des Constatations Médicales) is an official medical organization based in Lourdes, France, which handles medical investigation of cures associated with the shrine of Lourdes. The cases of John Traynor, Francis Pascal, and Vittorio Micheli are among those investigated by the Bureau.

John Traynor (1883 - 1943) was a native of Liverpool, England. He was gravely wounded by machine gun fire in 1915 during his service as a Royal Marine in World War I, losing the use of his right arm and suffering from epilepsy following the injury. An attempted treatment for his epilepsy in 1920 resulted in partial paralysis of both legs. In 1932 Traynor travelled to Lourdes, France where he was dipped in the Lourdes water baths and subsequently cured of his ailments.

Francis Pascal (1934 - unknown) from Beaucaire, France is the second-ever child whose healing was declared an approved Lourdes miracle. Francis developed meningitis in 1937 at the age of three, resulting in blindness, paralysis of his legs, and partial paralysis of his arms. He bathed in the Lourdes water baths twice in 1938 and afterwards regained function in his limbs and his vision. A 1946 visit to the Medical Bureau of Verifications, his first full examination, stated that “cure confirmed, maintained for more than eight years, for which no medical explanation was possible.”

Vittorio Micheli (1942? - ) of Italy was diagnosed with sarcoma of the pelvis in 1962. His diagnosis was considered medically certain and incurable, with no treatment indicated. Micheli traveled to Lourdes in May 1963, where he was bathed in the Lourdes water baths. Following his trip, Micheli experienced a significant improvement in his condition and medical exams found that his cancer was no longer detectable. This case became the 63rd officially recognized miraculous healing at Lourdes.