Pilgrims flock to see 'moving' Virgin
Thousands of pilgrims have flocked to the Church of St. Peter in Acerra, Italy to view a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary come to life. Witnesses reported the statue’s movement initially began with a leg and a vest and later entailed the ears and the face, which appeared as flesh. Others reported seeing a bright light.
The testimony has yet to be evaluated by the Bishop and is far from being confirmed by the Catholic Church as an authentic apparition, but if it is true, I have questions. Why would the Blessed Virgin appear in this particular community? Why does she appear in the form of a statue and say nothing? What is the message she is trying to convey? Is she attempting to convince a people who are weak in their faith that she is real and not merely a historical figure?
Don’t get me wrong – I think apparitions are beautiful and are God’s way of strengthening man’s faith, but it makes me sad that people flock to these apparitions, when they should be flocking to daily Mass, to the miracle of the Holy Eucharist. It saddens me that all of us are not praying the rosary more frequently, that we are not relying on the powerful intercession of Our Holy Mother, and that we are not consecrating our lives to her. True happiness can only come about through a strong faith and trust in the One we love and not in the seeking out of miracles.
Thousands of pilgrims have flocked to the Church of St. Peter in Acerra, Italy to view a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary come to life. Witnesses reported the statue’s movement initially began with a leg and a vest and later entailed the ears and the face, which appeared as flesh. Others reported seeing a bright light.
The testimony has yet to be evaluated by the Bishop and is far from being confirmed by the Catholic Church as an authentic apparition, but if it is true, I have questions. Why would the Blessed Virgin appear in this particular community? Why does she appear in the form of a statue and say nothing? What is the message she is trying to convey? Is she attempting to convince a people who are weak in their faith that she is real and not merely a historical figure?
Don’t get me wrong – I think apparitions are beautiful and are God’s way of strengthening man’s faith, but it makes me sad that people flock to these apparitions, when they should be flocking to daily Mass, to the miracle of the Holy Eucharist. It saddens me that all of us are not praying the rosary more frequently, that we are not relying on the powerful intercession of Our Holy Mother, and that we are not consecrating our lives to her. True happiness can only come about through a strong faith and trust in the One we love and not in the seeking out of miracles.
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