Tears, a Miraculous Warning
~ Folha de Sao
Paulo, August 6, 1972
by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
On July 21, 1972, the newspaper Folha de São
Paulo published a photograph from New Orleans showing
a statue of Our Lady of Fatima shedding tears. The report
sparked keen interest in the Brazilian public and I
think many readers will welcome more information on
the topic.
Statue of the International Pilgrim
Virgin of Fatima photographed in New Orleans, Louisiana
in 1972 miraculously weeping real human tears
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The best source of information on the
matter is found in an article with a typical American
title: "The Tears of Our Lady Wet my Finger”
by Fr. Elmo Romagosa. It was published on July 20 in
the Clarion Herald, a New Orleans weekly, distributed
in eleven Louisiana parishes or counties.
The background to this event is universally
known. In 1917, Lucy, Jacinta and Francisco had visions
of Our Lady at Fatima. The authenticity of these visions
was confirmed by the miracle of the sun, witnessed by
a whole multitude even as the Virgin spoke to the three
children.
In general terms, Our Lady charged
the little shepherds to tell the world that she was
deeply upset by the wickedness and corruption of men.
She warned that if men did not amend, a terrible chastisement
would come that would annihilate many nations. Russia
would spread its errors throughout the world. The Holy
Father would have much to suffer.
The punishment could only be avoided
if men converted, Russia and the world were consecrated
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and men did the communion
of reparation on the first Saturday of each month.
* * *
In view of the above, a question naturally
comes to mind: Were Our Lady’s requests heeded?
In 1942, Pius XI consecrated the world
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Sister Lucy said the
consecration lacked some characteristics Our Lady had
requested. I do not intend to analyze this complex subject
here. I simply mention, in passing, that whether Our
Lady’s request for the consecration of Russia
was heeded is open to debate.
As for Our Lady’s second request
for an amendment of life, it has so obviously been neglected
that no further comment is necessary.
Our Lady stated that obedience to her
requests was a condition to avoid the apocalyptic punishments
that she predicted. Therefore, it is logical that God’s
vengeful and purifying wrath should fall upon mankind
before it converts and the Reign of Mary is established.
* * *
Of the three Fatima children, only
Lucy survived beyond her childhood. She was a Carmelite
nun in Coimbra. Under her supervision, a sculptor carved
two statues that reproduced as closely as possible the
facial expression of the Most Holy Virgin as she appeared
at Fatima. Both of them were called "pilgrim statues”
and have been taken around the world by priests and
laity. One was in New Orleans, where it shed tears.
Father Romagosa, author of the abovementioned
report, was told of the statue’s tears by Fr.
Joseph Breault, M. P., the statue’s custodian.
However, he was reluctant to admit the miracle and thus
asked Father Breault to call him if any further weeping
occurred.
Father Breault noticed moisture in
the eyes of the Pilgrim Virgin statue on July 17 and
immediately called Father Romagosa, who reached the
statue at 9:30 p.m., bringing along photographers and
reporters. In fact, they all noticed the moisture in
the eyes of the statue, which was soon photographed.
Father Romagosa then touched his finger on the moist
surface and collected a drop, which was also photographed.
According to Father Breault, this was the thirteenth
weeping he had witnessed.
At 6:l5 a.m. the next morning, Father
Breault called Father Romagosa saying that the statue
had been crying since 4 a.m. Father Romagosa arrived
shortly afterwards. In his words: "I saw much liquid
in the statue’s eyes, and a large drop hanging
from the tip of her nose.” This drop, so graciously
hanging, was captured in the famous photograph that
came out in the press.
Father Romagosa adds that he saw "a
tear move as it slowly formed on the lower eyelid."
However, he wanted to eliminate all
doubt. He noticed that the statue had a crown fixed
on its head by a small metal connecting rod and thought:
Can it be that water was poured into
the hole where the crown is fixed on the statue, and
this water drains into the eyes?
Once the weeping ceased, Father Romagosa
removed the crown from the statue: the metallic connecting
rod was entirely dry. He then inserted into the hole
a wire wrapped in a special paper which would absorb
any liquid that might be there. The paper remained absolutely
dry.
Still not satisfied with his efforts,
he poured some water into the hole. Yet the eyes remained
absolutely dry. Father Romagosa then turned the statue
upside down. The water he had poured into the hole drained
normally. He was finally convinced that no water could
come through the hole in the statue’s head into
her eyes, and there simply was no other hole.
Father Romagosa knelt. At last, he
believed.
* * *
These mysterious tears
show Our Lady of Fatima crying over the modern world,
as Our Lord once cried over Jerusalem. Tears of most
tender affection, tears of deep pain for the punishment
that will come.
It will come to the men of the twentieth
century, if they do not reject immorality and corruption.
It will come if they do not fight especially against
the self-destruction of the Church, the cursed smoke
of Satan that according to Paul VI has penetrated even
into the sacred places.
Reader, there is still time, therefore,
to stop the punishment!
* * *
But, some will say, these
thoughts are not those for a pleasant Sunday afternoon.
I answer: Is it not better to read this article now under
the tender manifestation of our Mother’s prophetic
sadness than to live through the days of tragic bitterness
that will come if we do not amend?
If they come, I am convinced a special
mercy will be shown to those who, in their personal
lives, have taken the miraculous warning of Mary seriously.
I offer my readers this article so
they may benefit from that mercy.
