Heartbreaking news came from the Evert family on Christmas Eve when Jason and his wife Crystalina took to social media requesting prayers for their son John Paul. 

“On Christmas Eve, we learned that our son, John Paul, has been diagnosed with lymphoma. Please keep him in your prayers for healing, strength, peace, and courage as he begins cancer treatment this Monday. We are deeply grateful for your love and support.”

Urgently requesting prayers for his healing and to help guide the doctors, the couple ended their touching message by praying a Glory Be together.

A nationally acclaimed author and speaker on the topic of chastity, Jason founded Totus Tuus Press and Chastity Project, which works within high schools and colleges to teach and promote chastity and faith-focused relationships. Crystalina hosts a weekly show on EWTN Radio called Women Made New, based on her bestselling book, Women Made New! Reflections on Adversity, Transformation and Healing. Her apostolate “encourages and supports women in need of personal healing, empowering them to become the women God created them to be.”

Jason shared an update early this morning after John Paul’s first treatment, including a photo of two friars praying over the young man, writing, “Crystalina and I wanted to thank you all for the outpouring of prayers and love for John Paul. Today is day one at the hospital and we were blessed with a visit from the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit!”

Jason also took the opportunity to ask for prayers for Paul Kim’s son Micah, whose dire health battle the Register has also been reporting on. 

John Paul recently graduated from high school as part of the Class of 2025, and he has a long road ahead with cancer treatments. Several prominent Catholics have also voiced their support for the Evert family, including EWTN’s own Father Leo Patalinghug:

“Jason, prayer assured for your son and your entire family — may you have peace to carry the cross and the faith to trust in God’s providence and to boldly ask for a miracle! God bless you.”

No stranger to medical crises herself, former model and Catholic convert Leah Darrow also offered prayers for John Paul, joining Jennifer Fulwiler, who is currently taking her own daughter to similar treatments; Lane was diagnosed with brain cancer a couple of months ago. 

The Evert family’s original post on Instagram has more than 20,000 reactions; scrolling through the hundreds of comments really showcases the beauty of our Catholic faith, as so many souls stopped their day to pray a Memorare or offer a Rosary for not only John Paul but the entire Evert family. 

As Scripture tells us, we are to pray without ceasing; for Padre Pio’s canonization in 2002, Pope John Paul II offered this prayer in honor of a holy man who was no stranger to suffering himself, enduring the stigmata for most of his life. And if you have a moment, please offer this prayer today for John Paul Evert and his loving family as they navigate his treatment plan with faith and love. 

Teach us, we pray, humility of heart,
so that we may be counted
among the little ones of the Gospel
to whom the Father promised to reveal
the mysteries of His Kingdom.
Help us to pray without ceasing,
certain that God knows what we need
even before we ask Him.
Obtain for us the eyes of faith that will help us recognize
in the poor and suffering the very face of Jesus.
Sustain us in the hour of trouble and trial and, if we fall,
let us experience the joy of the sacrament of forgiveness.
Grant us your tender devotion to Mary,
mother of Jesus and our Mother.
Accompany us on our earthly pilgrimage
toward the blessed Homeland,
where we, too, hope to arrive to contemplate forever
the Glory of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.