Teen Badly Injured By Fallen Tree Going To Lourdes For Prayer

EAST HAVEN, CT - The East Haven teenager who nearly died after a tree toppled over on him while he was mowing his lawn in 2017 will, along with his family, soon be going to Lourdes, France to visit the church and grotto of the venerated Our Lady of Lourdes as part of a sacred prayer trip.

In 1858, Marian apparitions appeared to a teenage girl, Bernadette Soubirous, now St. Bernadette, at the sacred site. The family of Nicholas Vessicchio will travel to the holy site this spring.

In July of 2017, a 30-foot tree fell on, and critically injured, then 16-year-old while he was mowing his family’s lawn. After first responders fought to save his life, Nick had lengthy hospital stays, his house was retro-fitted by mostly volunteers so his family could properly care for him. Fundraisers were held to help the family cover huge medical costs.

Nick incurred multiple injuries, including to his brain, from the tree falling on him. For those injuries he has received constant therapy which continues each and every day.

But now, something of a miracle: Nick Vessicchio and his mother Sue are going to Lourdes, France; a prayer trip to sacred ground where they hope a real miracle will occur.

Sue Vessicchio told Patch Tuesday that a selection committee member recently visited with Nick and the family in East Haven.

“He described to us what will be a once in a lifetime experience,” she said of the committee member.

Every spring, Knights, Dames, Auxiliary and volunteers from the Order of Malta travel to Lourdes France as pilgrims, bringing with them sick and disabled from around the world. The American Association, with its headquarters in New York City, has participated since 1986.

“The Lourdes pilgrimage offers a unique opportunity to fully experience the charism of the Order, service to the sick and the poor, and giving witness to the Catholic faith."

On April 28, Nick Vessicchio, his mother and his brother Anthony, will be joining a group of about 400 other Americans, 55 or them with some type of illness or disability.

While physical cures are relatively rare, many pilgrims experience interior miracles-people leave Lourdes with an inner peace they did not before experience, true believers claim.

To recognize this extraordinary journey and effort in East Haven, there will be a Mass offered on Sunday, April 26 at 11:30 a.m. at St Pio of Pietrelcina, Our Lady of Pompeii campus.

Nick’s family will be at the East Haven service before heading to France. Everyone is invited to come and pray for Nick. The Knights of Columbus will be hosting a reception after Mass.

According to Sue Vessicchio, “In 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared on 18 occasions to Bernadette Soubirous, a poor, 14 year old girl! The first apparition took place on Feb. 11th, this is the day we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Bernadette was told, 'Go drink of the waters and wash yourself there.' Though no fountain was seen, when Bernadette dug at the spot designated by the apparition a spring began to flow. Through God’s love and power, the water from this still flowing spring has shown remarkable healing power. Since 1958, the Catholic Church has officially recognized 70 miracles, the last one in 2008.”