Lourdes Declares 71st Miracle for Soldier

John Traynor, a British sailor and World War I veteran, has been officially recognized as the first Brit to be miraculously healed at Lourdes, with Archbishop Malcolm McMahon declaring his healing as the 71st miracle attributed to the site. Traynor, who suffered severe injuries including paralysis and epilepsy from his service, experienced an instantaneous cure during a pilgrimage in 1923 after bathing in the shrine's waters. Despite skepticism surrounding miracle claims at Lourdes, a recent review of archival documents confirmed the legitimacy of Traynor's case, leading to its recognition nearly a century later. The rigorous criteria for miracle recognition at Lourdes include sudden and permanent healing without alternative explanations, and only a small fraction of cases are approved. Traynor's healing had previously been overlooked due to insufficient contemporaneous evidence. This recognition has reignited discussions about faith and the nature of miracles within the Catholic community and beyond.