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| Our Lady of La Vang at Chimayo, NM © Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio |
Our Lady of La Vang. This is a beautiful statue at the church in Chimayo, NM.
From Wikipedia:
"Fearing the spread of the Catholicism, in 1798 Emperor Canh Thinh restricted the practice of Catholicism in the country. Soon thereafter, the emperor issued an anti-Catholic edict in which persecution ensued.
Many people sought refuge in the rain forest of La Vang in Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam, and many became very ill. While hiding in jungle, the community gathered every night at the foot of a tree to pray the rosary. One night, an apparition surprised them. In the branches of the tree a lady appeared, wearing the traditional Vietnamese áo dài dress and holding a child in her arms, with two angels beside her. The people present interpreted the vision as the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus Christ. They said that Our Lady comforted them and told them to boil leaves from the trees for medicine to cure the ill. Legend states that the term "La Vang" was a derivative of the Vietnamese word meaning "crying out". Modern scholars believe it comes from the ancient practice of naming a location for a genus of a tree or plant native to the area, La meaning "leaf" and '"Vang "herbal seeds"."
You can read more about the history of this Marian apparition at the link through to Wikipedia.
Some will write amazing words of inspiration and prayer. Others tell a story. Often, the image alone conveys the message and that is enough.
Come see what others have shared over at Rebecca's page. Feel free to join in with us whether if it's for one day or all 12!
5 comments:
This is both beautiful and interesting. Chimayo is a sacred place.
I have the very same image, but on a bright, sunny day. Chimayo is hauntingly beautiful, isn't it?
@ MMT: yes, it is hauntingly beautiful in spite of the aspects that have been added over the past two decades to allow for greater numbers of people to visit.
my first visit to Chimayo i was eight years old. it transported me in a way i had no words yet, to express. i return to this sacred place each time i am in new mexico. thank you paula for taking me here with your words and beautiful image.
so wonderful to be walking in the light of mary love with you!
xo
Wow! thank you for this sharing. I will be going to read up about Chimayo rightaway - have to admit I have never heard of it. So immensely powerful that our intense emotions and faith always reaches her ear and that she responds in manifestation. All is well!
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