Behind the Scenes of EWTN’s Must-See Documentary: “In the Name of Miracles”

Pope John Paul II, the Divine Mercy Pope, blesses Maureen and Bob Digan. Maureen was healed of Milroy’s lymphedema after her husband felt led to take her to St. Faustina’s tomb to pray for healing. That miracle resulted in the beatification of the Polish sister who is now known as the Apostle of Divine Mercy!

Filmmakers know a story when they hear it. So when Filmmaker/Producer Elizabeth Wilda was asked to meet with Maureen and Bob Digan, she immediately agreed. After all, as Sister Ruth McGoldrick of the Sisters of Providence had explained to her, Maureen Digan, who suffered from Milroy’s lymphedema, had been cured after praying in front of St. Faustina’s tomb at the behest of her husband Bob. In addition, after that same visit, her invalid son Bobby was partially healed.

However, for a filmmaker, a good story is only one part of the equation. As she delved into it, Wilda quickly realized that, from a worldly perspective, the decision to film Maureen and Bob Digan’s story was, well, “nuts.” At least that’s what Wilda’s husband told her.

Bob & Maureen Digan

For one thing, Wilda had a busy full-time job at the University of Massachusetts, where she had already filmed a number of historical documentaries. Her projects included one on the Sisters of Providence, from whom she got the introduction to the Digans, and one on Catholic Sisters in America, which was shown on public television. So she didn’t exactly have a lot of time on her hands.

Even worse, there was no budget. As in zero, zilch, nada. How was she supposed to finance this venture which would ultimately result in the documentary, “In the Name of Miracles,” which airs at 1:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 30 on EWTN?

Maureen Digan with her son Bobby, who was also partially healed at St. Faustina’s tomb. The young boy lived another 10 years after that healing.

Despite significant obstacles, Wilda obviously decided to take the project on. But why?

“I met Maureen and Bob and fell in love with them,” she said. “They are great people. I also met Fr. Tony, who was Maureen’s spiritual director. He’s at Mount Holyoke, which is 15 minutes from me.”

But, of course, liking her subjects is only one part of the answer. It was the Lord who put this project on her heart; it was the Lord who took her on what she now calls a seven-year faith journey.

“I didn’t know much about the Divine Mercy devotion before this,” she said. “I thought it was for Polish people! But I loved what I learned. I fell in love with Faustina. It’s enriched my life so much. I’m very grateful to God for the whole process.”

And what a process it was! The reason it took seven long years to get the documentary made was because Wilda had to do all the filming “on the side.”

The Sisters of Providence introduced Filmmaker/Producer Elizabeth Wilda to Maureen and Bob Digan and encouraged her to make a film telling their story. “In the Name of Miracles” airs 1:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 30 on EWTN.

“Whenever I had the time, I’d go film something,” she said. “I had purchased a basic music library that was copyright free so I could use that. And Bob had tons of family photos, which I scanned and used.”

As she worked, Wilda began to see that the resulting documentary, “A Time for Miracles” was, above all, a love story.

“It’s a love story on many levels,” she said, “It’s a love story about God, and a love story with Bob and Maureen. Bob – I think his faith is so rock solid that it’s inspiring. Maureen has a beautiful outlook, such a sparkle about her, she’s inspiring too. I want to let people know that nothing’s impossible. We have a wonderful God and all things are possible. It’s never hopeless.”

Wilda also began to understand on a deeper level than ever before what she calls “the big thing — that God loves everyone.”

Maureen & Bob Digan

Wilda also began reading everything she could about St. Faustina. “I can’t get over what an amazing woman she was and how open to the spirit. With what little education she had, the beautiful writing of her ‘Diary’ is extraordinary. You can’t help but be inspired by it.”

As she learned more and more about the Divine Mercy devotion, Wilda’s sense of purpose grew. She realized that the devotion is more important now than ever. In fact, she believes the Lord meant it for a time such as the one in which we are now living.

“Just looking at the darkness in the world today – people need hope. I want to let people know that nothing’s impossible. We have a wonderful God and all things are possible. It’s never hopeless.”

“In the Name of Miracles,” the story of Maureen Digan whose miraculous healing resulted in the canonization of St. Faustina, is available for purchase from EWTN Religious Catalogue.

Need hope? Need light? There is much more to this story than what we’ve revealed here. Find out more, when EWTN airs “In the Name of Miracles” at 1:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 30. Want to purchase your own copy of this film or discover other Divine Mercy-related items? Check out EWTN Religious Catalogue at http://bit.ly/2pN9V12.

After you watch the documentary, please let us know what you learned and how you think it might change your own life!

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3 Responses to Behind the Scenes of EWTN’s Must-See Documentary: “In the Name of Miracles”

  1. Alice Gmelin says:

    I am so inspired by this magnificent film. I feel healed in my heart from the love of this beautiful Degen Family. I pray for Maureen and Bob, and I am praying to Bobby for healing of my son
    I pray Bobby will be beautified. Thank you for this blessing.

  2. Peggy Anderson says:

    Wish it was aired again. I would like to be able to tell friends to watch it. It’s inspirational in so many ways and beautifully done. I have ordered the DVD.

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