A statue of the Virgin Mary at a Catholic church in New Mexico was reported to be weeping blood, a phenomenon that has been seen in other parts of the world. The church saw an influx of visitors hoping to witness the supposed miracle. But when the church took a sample of the substance for testing, they found that it was made up of a combination of olive oil perfume.1
The Catholic Church tends to move along quickly to not dwell on such strange phenomena. However, this has not stopped the faithful from flocking to see the statue and pray for their own miracles.
This is not the first time a weeping Virgin Mary statue has made headlines. In 1970, a statue in Japan was said to be weeping tears of blood2. There have been numerous other reported cases over the years.
The phenomenon of weeping statues is often attributed to supernatural or miraculous causes, but skeptics point out that there are other explanations. One theory is that the tears are caused by condensation or other natural processes. Others suggest that the tears are deliberately created by individuals looking to perpetrate a hoax or promote a religious agenda.
In the case of the New Mexico statue, the substance was found to be a combination of olive oil and perfume – the combinations in a holy anointing balm for baptisms.
Weeping statues of the Virgin Mary have been a subject of fascination and controversy for centuries. These statues are believed by some to possess miraculous powers, with the ability to weep tears of blood or other substances. While skeptics attribute the phenomenon to natural causes or even fraud, believers continue to flock to these statues, seeking comfort and divine intervention.
The belief in weeping statues is rooted in the Catholic tradition of Marian apparitions. According to Catholic teachings, the Virgin Mary has appeared to various individuals throughout history, delivering messages of faith, hope, and love. Many of these apparitions are associated with miracles, such as healings and the conversion of sinners. The most famous of these apparitions is the one that occurred in Sicily in 1953, but others have been reported in Hungary, Argentina, and Macedonia.3
Weeping statues are believed to be a continuation of this tradition of miraculous apparitions. They are often associated with messages of warning or of hope, and are seen as a sign of the Virgin Mary’s presence and intercession. Many people believe that the tears shed by these statues are a sign of divine intervention, and attribute healings and other miracles to their presence.
Skeptics, however, argue that the phenomenon can be explained by natural causes or even fraud. They point out that tears can be produced by a variety of substances, including wax and oils, and that some weeping statues have been found to contain hidden tubes or other mechanisms that allow for the artificial production of tears. Others suggest that the phenomenon may be the result of psychological factors, such as suggestion and groupthink.
Despite these criticisms, the belief in weeping statues remains strong among many Catholics and other believers. For them, the tears shed by these statues are a sign of the Virgin Mary’s love and compassion, and a reminder of her continued presence in their lives. They see the phenomenon as a confirmation of their faith, and as a source of comfort and inspiration in difficult times.
The phenomenon of weeping statues also raises important questions about the nature of belief and the role of miracles in religious faith. Some argue that belief in weeping statues is a form of superstition, and that it distracts believers from the true message of Christianity, which is one of love, forgiveness, and service to others. Others see the phenomenon as a powerful expression of faith, and as a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit to seek out the divine.
In the end, the belief in weeping statues is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that defies easy explanation. The weeping Virgin Mary statue in New Mexico may not be a miracle, but it has still inspired the faithful and brought people together in prayer. Whether one sees it as a manifestation of the miraculous or as a product of human imagination and ingenuity, it remains a source of fascination and inspiration for millions of people around the world. And regardless of one’s views on the phenomenon, it serves as a reminder of the enduring power of faith and the human spirit to seek out the divine in all its many forms.
Sources
- “A “Weeping” Virgin Mary Statue Had Its Tears Tested, Revealing An Unlikely Substance.” IFL Science. Dr. Alfredo Carpineti. April 19, 2023.
- “Blood, Sweat, and Tears: the Virgin Mary’s Statue in Akita, Japan.” Learn Religions
- https://theconversation.com/what-is-behind-belief-in-weeping-virgin-mary-statues-100358