Our Lady of the Miracles of Caacupé
A Guaraní Indian, a convert from a mission in Paraguay, was in grave danger. He was surrounded by Ambayae warriors, a tribe who had refused the Christian faith and was a fierce enemy of Christians. The Guaraní found a hollow tree and hid there asking the Mother of God for protection. He promised to carve an image of her if he came out alive, and when his persecutors came near, they could not see him and kept on going. He then carved two images: a big one for the church, and a smaller one for his private devotion.
Some years later, there was a great flood that threatened neighboring towns and the Franciscan friars organized special prayers asking for calm to return to the waters. There appeared then a briefcase floating on the water. In it there was an image of Our Lady, and the people recognized it as the one carved by the Guarani. She was then known as Our Lady of the Miracles.
Your turn:
- Have you ever been in danger?
- Do you sometimes fear your classmates and friends because they don’t have the same faith or values as you do?
