First story

World-renowned mystic Maria Esperanza was clinging to life late Tuesday night after emergency procedures to revive her at a New Jersey hospital.

Esperanza,  who has been suffering a severe Parkinsons-like disorder, had been showing signs of improvement of late, but suffered a relapse Tuesday morning.

According to son-in-law Carlos Marrero Bornn, the stigmatic and seer was revived in the emergency room after her heart and breathing had stopped. But Bornn said while her heartbeat has returned, there is not yet brain activity. "We thought we had lost her this morning," said Carlos, who also serves as her interpreter. "She is in very critical condition. We were around her when she started to leave. My father-in-law gathered us around and said we had to be strong and pray. We were praying and crying."

The Venezuelan seer suffered a similarly close call nearly three months ago and has been confined to a hospital-like bed at a private New Jersey residence.

"She has a massive infection they are now trying to control with huge amounts of antibiotics," said Bornn. "She also has very high sugar. If they can stabilize her, they hope they can get brain activity. They have given us that amount of hope."

Bornn added, "Even though that is the situation we are in, they haven't said we have to make a decision yet."

Esperanza, 75, is associated with the Church-approved apparition site of Betania and is widely considered the greatest living Catholic mystic, possibly the greatest since St. Padre Pio. At a number of points in her life, Maria has had close brushes with death and against the odds survived. Even in this, her closest brush, with no trace of brain waves, witnesses say that she has briefly opened her eyes and smiled. By Wednesday, there was improvement and indications that brain damage may not be extensive -- thanks to many prayers. Her temperature had gone down, she was showing facial expressions, and her pulse was back to normal.

July 2004

Second story
Seer Maria Esperanza of Betania, Venezuela -- who did not look like she would survive the night -- made a strong recovery Wednesday after an attack that had caused her to lose her heartbeat, breathing, and brainwave activity on Tuesday.

Although she is far from out of the woods -- still on a breathing apparatus, and unable yet to communicate -- those at her bedside report that she is opening her eyes slightly and seems aware of her surroundings to some degree. They said she responded to songs sung at the end of a Mass held in her room Wednesday afternoon.

"Everything turned around," noted close friend Ron Kyle. "Her blood pressure is now normal. Her temperature went down from 105 to 98.5, her lungs are clear, and she felt the jolt from a needle. She's moving her eyes from right to left. She's the talk of the hospital. I mean, she had flatlined."

Kyle noted that the seer is still in very serious condition and on life support but that a severe infection now appears under control. "She improved 100 percent but still needs to improve another 100 percent," cautioned Kyle.

So severe was Esperanza's condition Tuesday that doctors were preparing family members for a decision on maintaining life support. Word of her condition has led to thousands praying for her.

Esperanza, 75, who has been suffering a severe Parkinsons-like disorder, had been showing signs of improvement until the relapse Tuesday morning. According to son-in-law Carlos Marrero Bornn, the stigmatic and seer was revived in the emergency room after her heart and breathing had stopped. "We thought we had lost her this morning," said Carlos, who also serves as her interpreter. "She is in very critical condition. We were around her when she started to leave. My father-in-law gathered us around and said we had to be strong and pray. We were praying and crying."

The Venezuelan seer suffered a similarly close call nearly three months ago and has been confined to a hospital-like bed at a private New Jersey residence.

July 2004

Fourth story

Seer Maria Esperanza has been allowed to return to the home where she has been staying since last Christmas in southern New Jersey. After several close calls with death (including loss of vital signs), she is now breathing on her own and opening her eyes. Doctors have said they have done all they can, but she is resting comfortably. Her vital signs are now stable and her breathing has dramatically improved. There is no way of knowing at this point if there was lasting brain damage. Relatives from Caracas gathered at her side more than a week ago, at which time she showed the improvement. One daughter believes she is "smiling" and acknowledging visitors with her famous eyes. "Only a miracle will cause her total recovery," notes a son-in-law. "If she recovers, you can only credit God." When this was discussed among the family, says the son-in-law, Carlos Marrero Bornn, Maria opened her eyes widely. "We all consider that a sign," he says. "It was too obvious. She was looking at each one of us. We're trusting in a powerful miracle, although if something else happens we will accept it. She is very delicate. We are greatly restricting visitors. But to us it seems like a miracle may come."

July 2004