Our Lady of the Pillar
Our Lady of the Pillar
Zaragoza, Spain
After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, the apostles were sent on missions to spread His teachings in the four corners of the world. One key figure in their journeys was the Blessed Virgin Mary. She served as a pillar of strength for the apostles, guiding and supporting them in their mission to share the Gospel.
Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles, was sent to the Iberian Peninsula, which is modern-day Spain, to evangelize the pagans there. His mission was very challenging. Despite his deep desire to convert many souls for the greater glory of God, the results were far less than he had hoped. He faced many difficulties, and the number of conversions was small.
In these trying times, Saint James turned his eyes to the Blessed Virgin Mary, remembering a promise she had made to him before he set out on his mission that she would come to his aid when he needed it most.
One day, while praying together with his disciples by the Ebro River in what is now Zaragoza, Spain, Saint James experienced an apparition of the Blessed Virgin. This occurred in 40 AD, when Virgin Mary was still living in Jerusalem. The Blessed Virgin appeared to him and his disciples, standing on a jasper stone, surrounded by choirs of angels, holding a small wooden statue of herself with the infant Jesus. This event is recognized as the first Marian apparition in Catholic history and is unique because it took place while Our Lady was still alive.
During the apparition, Virgin Mary spoke to Saint James, reassuring him that the people he was preaching to would not only convert but would also develop a faith as strong as the pillar upon which she stood. Over time, this prophecy came true, as Spain remained a deeply Catholic country for centuries. Our Lady gave Saint James the statue and the pillar, and instructed him to build a church in her honor at the site of her appearance.
Virgin Mary’s words to Saint James were so powerful and mentioned: “This place is to be my house, and this image and column shall be the title and altar of the temple that you shall build. The people of this land will honor my Son, Jesus, and this temple will stand until the end of time. God will perform miracles through my intercession for all those who seek my help.”
Following her instructions, Saint James built a small chapel in Zaragoza, which became known as the Shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar, or Nuestra Señora del Pilar. Over the centuries, this small chapel was replaced by larger churches to accommodate the many pilgrims who came to honor the Blessed Virgin. Today, the basilica still stands in Zaragoza, just as Virgin Mary promised.
The original statue and pillar that Virgin Mary gave to Saint James are still preserved in the basilica, just as they were over 2,000 years ago. The faithful who visit this holy site have received countless graces from God through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin.
Before his martyrdom in 44 AD, Saint James was called back to Jerusalem, where he was martyred for his faith. His disciples took his remains to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, where a chapel was built in his honor. Over time, this chapel was replaced by the famous Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
But the story doesn’t end there. The people of Spain continued to be under the protection of Saint James. Throughout history, especially during times of war, Saint James is said to have appeared to help defend the faithful. One of the most famous traditions is that of the Santiago Matamoros or “Saint James the Moor Slayer.” During battles between Christian forces and the Muslim Moors, Saint James is said to have appeared riding on a white horse, leading the Catholic soldiers to victory. This is why he is known as the Patron Saint and Protector of Spain. Our Lay of the Pillar’s Feast Day is celebrated every October 12.
Saint James’ life teaches us an important lesson: when it feels like all hope is lost, the Blessed Virgin Mary will always come to our aid. We just need to trust in our prayers and have faith in her intercession.
Our Lady of the Snow
Our Lady of the Snow
Esquiline Hill, Rome, Italy
Our Lady of the Snows is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated every August 5.
This feast commemorates a miraculous event in Rome in the year 352 A.D., when snow fell during the summer on one of the city’s seven hills — the Esquiline Hill.
The snow is a symbol of purity and of the divine intervention of the Blessed Mother. It also served as a sign from Mary, guiding a married couple and Pope Liberius to build a church in her honor.
Because of this miraculous event, the first name of the church became Santa Maria della Neve, which means St. Mary of the Snows. With the strong devotion of the people of Rome and under the leadership of Pope Liberius, construction of the church began. It was also called the Liberian Basilica or Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Devotion to Mary under the title Our Lady of the Snows is rooted in the belief in her intercession and her role as a holy sign from God. This devotion is a way of praying through the Virgin Mary, asking for her protection and blessings in our lives. It is one of the oldest Marian devotions in the Church — lasting for more than 1,600 years — and has continued through famines, wars, persecutions, plagues, and even the false declarations in the 1960s that claimed “God is dead.”
Over time, the basilica built on the hill in 358 A.D. to honor the Blessed Virgin was restored and renovated several times. Today, it stands as the magnificent Sancta Maria Maggiore, also known as the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the main shrine for devotees of Our Lady of the Snows in the Catholic Church.
The current structure of the basilica began after the Council of Ephesus in the 5th century. No other shrine dedicated to Mary can equal the historical and spiritual beauty of this church, which proclaimed that the Blessed Virgin Mary is truly the Mother of God.
Our Lady of Hope
Our Lady of Hope
Pontmain, France
In the Memorare prayer written by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, it is stated that the Virgin Mary is always known to never abandon anyone who seeks her protection, implored her help, or asks for her intercession was left unaided. This was proven many times in the history of the Catholic Church.
One such moment occurred during the Franco-Prussian War in January 1871. Under the title of Our Lady of Hope, the Virgin Mary appeared to come to the aid of the people of Pontmain, France, who had called on her protection. At this time, the Prussians had advanced deeply into French territory, and the town of Pontmain was expected to be the next to fall. To make matters worse, a smallpox and typhoid epidemic was sweeping across Europe, further darkening the situation in France.
On the evening of January 17, 1871, two young boys, Joseph and Eugene Barbedette, witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary. They described her as appearing in the night sky, dressed in a dark-blue robe covered in stars. She extended her hands downward in a welcoming gesture and smiled at them. The boys immediately called for their parents, but no one else was able to see the apparition.
As the evening progressed, the people of Pontmain gathered outside their homes and began praying the Rosary together. As they prayed, the vision of Our Lady grew, surrounded by an expanding oval of blue and four candles. The stars surrounding her appeared to move, parting to make space for the oval, which expanded in perfect harmony with the growing apparition. The people knelt in the snow or in nearby barns, captivated by the beauty and serenity of the moment.
After they finished praying the Rosary, the crowd began singing the Magnificat in honor of the Blessed Virgin. In response, a white banner appeared in the sky with golden letters slowly forming the words: “Pray, my children. God will answer before long. My Son lets Himself be moved.” This message deeply produces a strong emotional reaction in the crowd. Following a moment of silence, the parish priest led the people in singing the hymn “Mother of Hope”. As the hymn concluded, the banner disappeared.
The prayer then took another level, with the singing of the hymn “Gentle Jesus, Pardon now our penitent hearts.” At this point, the Virgin’s face grew sad, a sorrow reflected in the faces of the two boys. A large red crucifix then appeared, surrounded by a placard bearing the words “JESUS CHRIST” in beautiful red letters. The Virgin presented the crucifix to the children, and her sadness left a profound impression on Joseph, one of the visionaries.
As the people continued to pray, the red crucifix vanished, and the Virgin returned to her original posture with her arms extended downward. A small white cross appeared on each of her shoulders. Once again, she smiled at the faithful, and the people knelt in reverence. A large white veil then appeared at her feet, rising slowly to cover her, signaling the end of the apparition. It was around nine o’clock in the evening and everybody leaves for home.
And at the same time, while the Virgin Mary appeared in the sky over Pontmain, the Prussian soldiers were stationed at the town’s gates, waiting for orders to invade. In an extraordinary turn of events, the commander of the 16th Corps of the Prussian army reported that the soldiers, who had been preparing to march, suddenly panicked and fled in disarray. Despite the officers’ commands, they were deaf to orders, with some even being shot down in their tracks. The commander, in his 39 years of military service, described this incident as the most distressing situation he had ever encountered.
Two weeks after the apparition, the Prussian forces had retreated, and a peace treaty was signed, effectively ending the war.
The apparition of Our Lady of Pontmain is a powerful reminder of the Virgin Mary’s unyielding love and protection for her children, especially those who seek her intercession. Her message of hope, through the intercession of her Son, will remain with the faithful, sustaining them in times of trial, for all eternity.
Our Lady of Hope’s Feast Day is celebrated every 17th day of January.
Our Lady of Las Lajas
Our Lady of Las Lajas
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Las Lajas, Colombia
In 1754, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a Catholic woman named Maria and her daughter Rosa in Ipiales, Nariño, Colombia. Rosa was born deaf and mute.
One day, while traveling, they were caught in a storm and took shelter in a rocky cave inside a canyon. Suddenly, Rosa began to speak for the first time, saying,
“A beautiful woman is calling me.”
Maria didn’t see or hear anyone, but she was shocked and overjoyed that her daughter could now speak and hear.
A few days later, Rosa disappeared from their village. Maria, worried, went back to the same canyon — and there she found her daughter playing with a young boy, while a beautiful woman stood nearby. Maria realized that the boy was the Child Jesus, and the woman was the Blessed Virgin Mary. They kept this secret and often returned to the place to pray and ask for Mary’s intercession.
Months later, Rosa became sick and died. Heartbroken, Maria carried her daughter’s body to the canyon and begged the Virgin Mary to ask Jesus to bring her back to life. Miraculously, Rosa came back to life!
When they returned to the village, everyone was amazed to see Rosa alive. The mother and daughter told their story — about the apparition of the Virgin and Child — and the miracle of Rosa’s resurrection. The villagers, together with a priest, went with them to see the place. There, one of the villagers noticed a beautiful image on the rock wall — showing the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus.
Maria and Rosa were surprised because they had never seen this image before. The villagers built a small chapel there, and about fifty years later, a large church and bridge were built so that pilgrims could easily reach the site.
In the image on the rock, the Virgin is holding the Child Jesus. To the left, you can see St. Dominic receiving the Rosary from Mary. To the right, St. Francis of Assisi is shown holding out a friar’s cord.
When scientists and Church investigators studied the image, they discovered it was not a painting. Geologists found that the colors were part of the natural stone — there were no traces of paint. Only the crowns on Mary and Jesus were man-made.
This confirmed that the image was miraculously formed.
Because of this miracle and the story of Maria and Rosa, many pilgrims have traveled to the site ever since.
On May 31, 1951, Pope Pius XII granted a Pontifical Coronation to the image, giving it the title Sancta Virgo de Rupe (“Holy Virgin of the Rock”). Later, on August 30, 1953, the church was declared a Minor Basilica. Then, on April 26, 1965, Pope Paul VI gave her the Marian title “Virgin of the Holy Rosary” and named her Patroness of Ipiales.
Every September 16, during the feast of Our Lady of Las Lajas, people gather — especially young people — carrying flowers to offer to the image on the rock.
Our Lady of Grace
Our Lady of Grace
Brazil
On August 6, 1936, two young girls named Maria da Luz Teixeira de Carvalho and Maria da Conceição were picking castor beans on a mountain in Cimbres (now Pesqueira, Pernambuco, Brazil).
While they were working, they suddenly saw a bright light and inside it appeared a beautiful woman holding a baby. The woman looked very much like the Virgin Mary. Frightened and amazed, the girls ran home to tell Maria da Luz’s parents what they had seen.
Their father went with them back to the mountain, but he could not see anything. However, the two girls said the woman and child were still there. The father told them to ask who she was.
The woman replied,
“I am Grace.”
She said she came to warn that three punishments would come to Brazil if people did not pray and do penance.
After that, the two girls began returning to the mountain every day to pray. Soon, more and more people joined them to pray the Holy Rosary. Some still did not believe, so the girls asked the Lady for a sign to convince everyone.
On August 10, water began to flow from a rock on the mountain, and the Lady said this water would heal the sick. The Church began an investigation and gave the girls questions to ask the Lady.
When they saw her again, they noticed that blood was dripping from her hands. When asked who she was, she replied,
“I am the Mother of Grace.”
She said she had come to warn Brazil about three great punishments that would come upon the country.
When asked about the meaning of the blood on her hands, she explained,
“It represents the blood that will be shed in Brazil.”
The priests ordered another investigation. Through the answers, it became clear that the Lady was the Mother of Divine Grace, the Child she carried was Jesus, and that she had been sent by God to warn that a serious time was coming and that punishment would fall on Brazil.
When they asked what the punishments would be, the Virgin did not give details. She only said that to stop them, people must pray and do penance. When asked if communism would enter Brazil, she said,
“Yes, it will spread throughout the country, and priests and bishops will suffer.”
When asked what devotion people should practice to protect themselves from evil, she answered,
“Devotion to the Heart of Jesus and to my Heart.”
The priests asked for her blessing, and she blessed them.
In 1966, the Vatican approved the apparition.
Later, Maria da Luz entered a convent and became a nun, taking the name Sister Adélia. Her friend, Maria da Conceição, stayed to help in the church. Sister Adélia died on October 13, 2013 (the anniversary of the last apparition of Our Lady of Fatima) at the age of 91.
Maria da Conceição passed away on January 17, 1999.
In 2019, the beatification and canonization process for Sister Adélia began in the Vatican.
The Virgin’s warnings seemed to come true. In 2011, Dilma Rousseff, a communist, became president of Brazil and communist influence grew in the country. In 2023, during a carnival in Rio de Janeiro, there was a satanic-themed parade, and later that year, Brazil suffered severe floods and landslides that killed 47 people, injured hundreds, and left dozens missing.
The feast of Our Lady of Grace of Cimbres is celebrated with Mass, but it is simple and solemn, unlike the large feasts in other countries. Even so, many locals and visitors go to the apparition site to pray and kneel before the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Our Lady of Sorrows of Kibeho
Our Lady of Sorrows of Kibeho
Rwanda, Africa
Kibeho is a small village in Rwanda, Africa.
On November 28, 1981, a high school student named Alphonsine was praying the Rosary at her school when she suddenly saw a beautiful woman surrounded by light. The woman told her name in the local language as “Nyina wa Jambo,” which means “Mother of the Word.”
Alphonsine was known as a kind, prayerful girl with deep love for Jesus and the Virgin Mary, so she immediately recognized that this woman was the Blessed Mother.
Mary asked that everyone turn their hearts back to God, keep their faith strong, and pray sincerely. She also gave a frightening warning — that Rwanda would become like hell on earth, a place where the beautiful rivers of Kibeho would run red with blood.
The Virgin appeared to Alphonsine many times. When news spread through the school and the village, some people believed her, while others doubted. Then, after two months, the Virgin appeared again — this time to another student named Nathalie (20 years old). Mary told Nathalie that the world needed prayer, sacrifice, and repentance to be saved.
Two months later, Mary appeared again, this time to a third girl — Marie Claire (21 years old). Many were surprised because Marie Claire had mocked and opposed Alphonsine’s visions before. The Virgin’s message to her was clear:
“Pray the Rosary of My Seven Sorrows and repent quickly. Repent, repent, repent!”
After these events, some others began claiming that Mary or even Jesus appeared to them, but the Church later found most of these claims were false.
Church investigations confirmed only the visions of Alphonsine, Nathalie, and Marie Claire as authentic. The Bishop of Gikongoro approved public devotion to Our Lady of Kibeho on August 15, 1988, and the Vatican officially approved the apparitions on July 2, 2001.
The Virgin’s warning sadly came true. In 1994, the Rwandan Genocide began — more than one million people were killed, including Marie Claire and her husband. Alphonsine and Nathalie managed to escape.
The genocide was caused by conflict between two ethnic groups — the Hutu and the Tutsi. It began when President Juvénal Habyarimana, a Hutu, was assassinated. The Hutus blamed the Tutsi leader Paul Kagame (who later became president in 2000). Violence broke out, and hundreds of thousands of Tutsis — and even members of another group called the Twa — were massacred.
Today, Alphonsine is a nun living in Gubbio, Italy, while Nathalie remains in Kibeho, actively helping the Church.
Our Lady of Kibeho is the only Vatican-approved Marian apparition from Africa.
Every year, on her feast day, many people gather for Mass and celebration, both in Rwanda and even in Ohio, USA, to remember Our Lady’s message and the victims of the genocide.
Our Lady of Ukraine
Our Lady of Ukraine
On May 12, 1914, in the village of Hrushiv, Ukraine, more than 20 people were working in the fields near a local church when they suddenly saw the Blessed Virgin Mary appear.
She gave them a serious warning:
“There will be a war. Russia will become a nation without God. Ukraine will suffer for eighty years under war and oppression. But in the end, it will be free.”
At that time, Ukraine was under Russian control. Only two weeks after this apparition, World War I began. Later, Ukraine suffered greatly under the Soviet Union, facing persecution, famine, and many hardships — exactly as the Virgin had said. Her prophecy had come true.
Many years later, on April 27, 1987, the Virgin appeared again in the same village, at the Holy Trinity Church in Hrushiv. It was the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, just one year after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. This time, many people saw her — even KGB agents, who came to investigate, witnessed the event.
The apparitions lasted for four months, ending on August 15, 1987, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. The Virgin came to comfort and encourage the people during difficult times.
Here are some of the messages she gave:
Do not forget those who died in Chernobyl. That tragedy is a sign and warning for the whole world.
Forgive your enemies.
Through the blood of martyrs, Russia will be converted.
Love one another and live in peace.
Teach children to pray the Rosary and live in the truth — for the Rosary is the weapon against Satan.
Ukraine’s suffering will end, and it will become a free nation.
But Russia will continue to reject her Son, live in darkness, and deny true life. If it does not return to Christianity, there will be a Third World War, and the whole world will face great danger.
Her words were again fulfilled. Ukraine gained its independence on August 24, 1991, but years later, Russia started a war to take control of Ukraine once more.
Even today, Our Lady of Ukraine is remembered by many, though there is no official feast day because the Vatican and local diocese have not made a formal declaration about the apparition. Most Ukrainians belong to the Orthodox Church, but Catholics still pray privately and honor her message of peace.
Our Lady of Velankanni
Our Lady of Velankanni
Our Lady of Good Health – India
In the 16th century in India, there was a young boy named Krishnannesti who lived in Velankanni. One day, he was walking to the nearby town of Nagapattinam to deliver milk to a rich man.
Because it was very hot, he stopped to rest under a large banyan tree beside a pond. That tree was known as a place haunted by evil spirits, and travelers often avoided it. Long before, St. Thomas the Apostle had once passed by that same place, prayed, and drove away the evil spirits — making it peaceful again.
While the boy was resting, a beautiful woman holding a child appeared to him.Both were shining with light. The woman asked for some milk for her child, and the boy kindly gave it to her. He wondered how she knew he was carrying milk.
When he finally reached the rich man’s house, the man was angry because the milk jug was not full. But when they opened it, they found it was miraculously full again!
The man realized something holy had happened. He asked the boy to take him to the place where he saw the woman. When they arrived, the man prayed and bowed to the ground, and suddenly the same woman and child appeared. The Virgin Mary asked that a small shelter or chapel be built there where travelers could rest and pray.
Later, another miracle took place. A poor widow made her living by selling milk with the help of her crippled son. One day, while the boy was watching their milk near the same banyan tree, he fell asleep. He was awakened by the sweet voice of a woman with a child, both glowing with light. She asked for milk for her child. The boy gave it, even though he knew his mother might be upset.
The Lady told him to go to Nagapattinam and find a rich Christian man. She wanted him to build a place of prayer at that site. The boy did as she said, and when he reached the rich man’s house, the man told him he had already dreamed of the Virgin Mary asking the same thing!
They went together to the spot, where the mother was crying because she could not find her son. When she saw him, she was shocked — he was walking! Her crippled son had been completely healed. The three of them prayed together, and the man built a small chapel in honor of the Virgin.
In the 17th century, a Portuguese merchant ship traveling from Macao to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) was caught in a terrible storm. The sailors prayed to Mary, Star of the Sea, and sang Ave Maris Stella. The storm stopped, and they safely reached the shore near Velankanni, close to the chapel. In thanksgiving, they built a stone church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. That church was later renovated twice during the 20th century.
The apparition came to be known as Our Lady of Velankanni, which means “Virgin of Velai.” The word Velai means “work” or “labor,” reflecting the hardworking people of the area — especially those who sold milk and built houses and churches.
Today, Our Lady of Good Health is one of the most beloved Marian devotions in India. During her feast, thousands of pilgrims attend Mass and processions at night, when the entire area around the basilica is beautifully lit with lights. People come from all over India and other countries to honor the Virgin Mary, who brings healing and protection.
Our Lady of La Vang
Our Lady of La Vang
Vietnam
In 1798, during the rule of Emperor Cảnh Thịnh in Vietnam, the government banned the Catholic faith because the emperor feared that too many people would convert. Soon, Christians were hunted, imprisoned, tortured, and even killed.
To escape persecution, many Catholics fled into the forest of La Vang. Life there was very hard — many became sick, hungry, and weak. One night, while they were praying the Rosary under a big tree, a beautiful lady appeared to them.
She was dressed in a traditional Vietnamese gown called an “Áo Dài,” holding a child, and was surrounded by two angels. Her presence brought great comfort and peace to the people.
The Lady told them to boil the leaves from a nearby plant and use the water as medicine for their illnesses. That plant, known as Jasminum nervosum (a type of jasmine related to the sampaguita flower in the Philippines), was later proven to have healing properties — especially for wounds and snake bites.
The people soon realized that the woman who appeared was the Blessed Virgin Mary. She appeared to them several more times, always encouraging them to keep their faith strong despite persecution.
When peace returned in 1802, the Catholics went back to their villages and told everyone about what they had witnessed in the forest. News of the apparition spread quickly, and many pilgrims began to visit the site.
They built a small chapel there to honor Our Lady of La Vang.
The chapel was destroyed during later persecutions in 1830, but the people rebuilt it in 1886 after the persecution ended. In 1961, Pope John XXIII raised it to the status of a minor basilica, but sadly it was destroyed again in 1972 during the Vietnam War.
On June 19, 1998, even without an official Vatican recognition, Pope John Paul II publicly honored Our Lady of La Vang and encouraged the rebuilding of her shrine. In 2012, a new basilica was finally completed, with the support of the Vietnamese government.
Today, the Feast of Our Lady of La Vang is celebrated every August 15 — the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.
It is one of the most important Catholic celebrations in Vietnam. During the feast, thousands of Catholics attend Mass, processions, and pilgrimages, with many women wearing the traditional Áo Dài. Devotees carry the image of the Virgin and Child, sing hymns, and pray for faith, healing, and peace.
Our Lady of China
Our Lady of China
In 1900, during the violent uprising known as the Boxer Rebellion, groups of Chinese rebels fought against foreign influence — especially Christianity. About 10,000 rebel soldiers marched toward the small village of Dong Lu, where many Catholic families lived.
Their parish priest, Father Wu, gathered the people and prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary for protection.
Then something miraculous happened.
The Virgin Mary appeared in the sky, dressed in white and shining with bright light. The attackers saw her and tried to shoot at her, but the bullets could not harm her. At that moment, St. Michael the Archangel also appeared, riding a flaming horse, and drove the rebels away from the village.
To give thanks, the people of Dong Lu built a church in her honor. Father Wu also commissioned a painting of the Virgin Mary, using the elegant clothing style of Empress Ci Xi as inspiration — so that Mary would appear as a heavenly queen for the Chinese people.
In 1924, Dong Lu became a popular pilgrimage site. Then in 1928, Pope Pius XI officially blessed and approved the image of Our Lady of China. Four years later, in 1932, the same pope declared the church in Dong Lu an official Marian shrine.
Unfortunately, during World War II, the church was bombed and destroyed by Japanese forces. It was later rebuilt in 1992 by faithful Catholics.
A new miracle occurred on May 23, 1995, the eve of the Feast of Mary, Help of Christians. During Mass, as the priest raised the Holy Eucharist for consecration, the sun began to move in the sky — spinning and shining in different colors. Then, people saw the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus, appearing above them in radiant light.
She did not speak, but her presence filled everyone with peace and courage, especially those who had suffered because of their faith.
Some witnesses also reported seeing the Holy Family, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. The apparition lasted for about 20 minutes.
When the Chinese government heard about it, they banned pilgrimages to Dong Lu and blocked the roads leading to the shrine. Still, many faithful Catholics found ways to come secretly to pray. In 1996, the government demolished the church again.
Today, because of strict restrictions on religion, many Chinese Catholics pray in secret, attending underground Masses and celebrating the feast of Our Lady of China quietly in their homes. Even so, devotion to the Blessed Mother continues to grow — a sign that faith cannot be destroyed by fear or oppression.
articles by Jude Missa and Jose Maria Francisco