I know what you're thinking: the Virgin Mary finally gets put in wax form for the famous Madam Tussauds Wax Museum. Which would be pretty cool, because I'd really like to know what Mary, the other Mary, and Jesus looked like.
But this instance of "Wax Mary" is right up there with "Toast Mary", "Chocolate Jesus", and the Shroud of Turin. Yes, once again Mary has come to the world, this time in the form of melting wax.
Mari Valenzuela from Alhambra, California was raised Catholic—but claims to not be very religious. Recently she finished praying the rosary and noticed a six inch image of the Virgin Mary in her melted candle. Not quiet knowing what to do, she stored the holy object in her refrigerator for safe-keeping. She first showed the object to friends and family, and finally to her priest who said the image appearing in the wax proves “all that praying is a message of faith and that she's on the right track in her life.”
Me skeptical of “Wax Mary”? Yes. No. Well, maybe. I mean why does one person see the Virgin Mary in the melted candle—yet another might see Mother Teresa or any other hijab sportin' chick?
I stand on the fence when it comes to the validity of Jesus, an angel, the hand of God, spiritual icons, and even Mary appearing in everyday objects. But I firmly believe that God determines how and when to reveal Himself to us. It’s such an individualist process. Each revelation is custom made for the recipient. And I suppose if God chooses to use the Virgin Mary, a burning bush, hummingbird, or rainbow to cause us to stop, pause, and think of things far greater than ourselves—then so be it. God’s ways are mysterious indeed.
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Comments
I'd love to know the next time Mary is seen in an apparition, especially a sighting approved by the church why is it only publicized that Catholics see Mary. Please let us know whether Mary sightings also are seen by people of a wide variety of religions. How many people of other faiths or none at all have seen Mary sightings? I'd love to know. It would be so comforting to all.
Anne - great question (why apparitions are only reported via the Catholic world, and if other faiths see Mary).
Personally, being a Christian, I see the religious figure I hold nearest and dearest to my heart (Jesus) in many things. I have "Jesus" sightings often. But of course I don't tell everyone... I don't want to be seen as a nutcase. And the Catholics tend to hold Mary nearest/dearest to their hearts—so it makes sense that they tend to see her when embarking the threshold of the holy.
You bring up a great point about how these types of "sightings" in certain faiths are more publicly newsworthy than other faiths. Interesting…
Have you seen the movie, Henry Poole Is Here? Great film. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1029120/
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