marian anniversaries     march

March 31

Virgen de los Milagros, Almaguer, Cauca, Colombia

In 2001, communist guerillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) brutally and repeatedly attacked many villages in the Colombian Andes. On March 31, they dynamited the Catholic church in Almaguer. When the townspeople sought sanctuary in the church, they found it in ruins, but the image of the Virgin of Miracles, patron of the town, remained unhurt in the rubble. This miracle gave hope to the villagers and courage to resist further attacks. 

Sources: 

"Colombia: The 'miracle' in Almaguer Renews Hope," Gonzalo Guimaraens, August 4, 2001, CubDest Servicio de Difusión, www.cubdest.org/ccatal/cindi01a.html
"quiers obtener muchos milagros - almaguer - Popayán," Anuncios Gratis en Todo el Mundo, www.mundoanuncio.com/anuncio/quiers_obtener_muchos_milagros_1176683125.html (image)

Also commemorated this date:

Madonna di Rosa, San Vito al Tagliamento, Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy. Oxen carrying image halted at Church of St. Nicholas, 1655.

 

Where We Walked ~~~ Mary Ann Daly