On 8 December 2024, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon declared the case of John (Jack) Traynor a miracle.
Jack was a pilgrim on the archdiocese's first official pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1923 and was cured dramatically of epilepsy, paralysis of the right arm and paraplegia during the pilgrimage.
The case has been believed to be miraculous from people across the archdiocese and beyond, but, despite an attempt in 1993, there has never been an official ecclesiastical declaration until today.
It is the 71st official miracle to have happened in Lourdes and the first person from England to be recognised.
At the time of the archdiocesan centenary pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2023, the current President of the Lourdes Office of Medical Observations (BdCM), Dr Alessandro de Franciscis, asked Dr Kieran Moriarty, an English member of the International Medical Committee of Lourdes, to conduct a review of the file of John Traynor held in the archives at Lourdes.
Sufficient medical evidence enabled the archdiocese to reconsider the possibility that the cure of John Traynor might be declared miraculous.
You can read Archbishop Malcolm’s full statement here.
On Tuesday 18 February 2025, thousands of people gathered at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King for a special Mass of thanksgiving.
People across the archdiocese and beyond came together to mark this historical moment in a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon and concelebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes Bishop Jean-Marc Micas and clergy from across the archdiocese.
To celebrate the inspiring story of Jack Traynor, the Archdiocese of Liverpool launched a special prayer card competition for primary school pupils across the archdiocese.
Children were invited to reflect on Jack’s life, faith, and miraculous healing at Lourdes through artwork and prayer. The response was overwhelming, with over 200 creative entries submitted, each thoughtfully illustrating his journey of suffering, faith, and healing.
The winning design was created by George McGowan, a Year 3 pupil from St Austin’s Catholic Primary School. His artwork was chosen by Archbishop John Sherrington, who praised its rich symbolism, depicting Our Lady, the cross carried by Jack in his illness, and the healing waters of Lourdes, alongside a joyful image of Jack restored to health.
As part of his prize, George received a voucher and selected Alder Hey Children’s Hospital as the beneficiary of a charitable donation, reflecting the compassion at the heart of Jack Traynor’s story. Every pupil at his school also received a copy of the winning prayer card.
In a remarkable coincidence, it was later discovered that Jack Traynor’s grandchildren once attended the same school, making George’s achievement even more meaningful for the community.
