Fr. Joseph K. Bill Ministries
Fr. Bill Memorial
Fr. Bill's Testimony
Excerpted and adapted from "Jesus Touched Me: A Short Biography and Retreat Talks of Fr. Joseph K. Bill, V.C."
Year: 1976. Place: Mangalappuzha Pontifical Seminary, in central Kerala. Two priests who had gotten their training from the Duquesne University at Pittsburgh in the USA, which was then the epicenter of Charismatic movement, had come from Bombay to conduct a retreat for an exclusive audience comprised of bishops and 162 priests from all over Kerala.
On the final day of the five-day retreat, they convened a healing session in which bishops and priests would lay their hands on the heads of the sick and all the others pray. So, the sick were asked to kneel down and Fr. Joseph K. Bill – ill from having suffered two heart attacks, having been told by his doctors to do nothing at all, and who was then preparing himself for a happy death – also joined them.
Seeing Fr. Bill, Bishop Sebastian Mankuzhikkary approached and asked, “Father Joseph for what should I pray?”
“Your Excellency, I had two heart attacks. If cured, I would like to do some service for Jesus.” While saying this, his doctor’s words reverberated in his ears, “Father, you have just overcome two massive attacks. A third one can be fatal, so be careful!”
Bishop Sebastian laid his hands on the head of Fr. Bill and prayed. Fr. Bill felt the Bishop’s touch, and immediately at the same time he no longer saw the bishop but instead saw Jesus Christ!
“It was a real shock for me,” recalls Fr. Bill. “Yes, He has touched me! At that time I saw Jesus Christ who came to this world two thousand years ago. I felt his touch and, gained a new strength in my heart. He has healed me to perfect health.”
The image of Jesus touching him is still alive in his heart. From that moment onwards his life has been totally dedicated to his Savior.
St. Thomas the Apostle doubted when he was told about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So there is no wonder that our scholars doubt the healing touch of Jesus through his servants. It happened when Fr. Bill presented himself before his consulting cardiologist.
The test now showed a healthy heart, still the physician protested, “It might be due to some error in the test, so come back after five days and we will have another thorough check up. Meanwhile do not stop your medicines,” warned the doctor.
But Fr. Bill replayed with thorough conviction, “My Heavenly Father, who has created my heart, can give me a new heart if the original one is damaged.”
“Do not stop your medicines and thus risk your life,” was the doctor's only reply.
Father came back after five days, and the doctor performed the check-up. Again he could not find any problem with Fr. Bill's heart. He thought the father had taken some other stronger medicines.
"No, no other medicine except the touch of my Lord,” Fr. Bill declared firmly.
Then at the end of all the analyses the doctor proclaimed in a voice filled with belief and fervor, “Father, your heart is now healthier than before. Now I believe, God has touched you and given you a new heart. I believe.”
Funeral Pictures
Procession for the Requiem Mass
Fr. Joseph K. Bill, Final Blessing Requiem Mass
