STATUE “CRIES”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 158, 16 April 1949, Page 5

STATUE “CRIES”

Report front Syracuse

“TEARS” AFTER KISSES

(N.Z P.A - Copyright)

(9.30 a.m.) NEW YORK .April 14

Dozens of persons are flocking to a tiny flat at Syracuse to watch an 11-year-old girl kiss, a brofeen plaster-of-paris statue of St. Ann and see what they say appear to be tears falling from the statue's eyes, says the Associated Press.

Father Francis Furfaro said that he watched the girl, Shirley Ann Martin, kiss the head and it began to weep. Two oilier priests of his Church had also seen the tears.

Many persons who visited tlie flat kissed the statue, but nothing happened. They said, however, that when the girl placed her lips on the statue’s forehead and then held the head away, the dull plaster finish would begin to glisten in the corner of at least one eye, then Svatery drops would roll down the painted cheeks c aUl reappear when wiped away. The Associated Press says that John McMahon, a Roman Catholic, anti Dean of the State School of Ceramics, said that plaster-of-paris would absorb water readily, but would not release it except through evaporation.

Liquid Definitely Seen

The Rev. Robert Dillon, Chancellor of the Syracuse diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, stated: “From the number and character of the witnesses, who have observed the phenomenon, it is certain that drops of liquid have appeared on the face of the statue when the young, girl kissed it. The explanation of the fact, or the significance, hae. not been established. . The possibility of miracles is established beyond doubt. Whether this phenomenon is an instance of supernatural power at work has not been establisned.” The girl’s maternal grandfather announced that he would erect a shrine for the head of the statue on a vacant lot, alongside his home, which adjoins the girl’s. He said he would refuse donations towards establishing the shrine.

“TEARS” STOP '

SEQUEL TO TELEVISION. (Rec. 11 a.m.) NEW YORK, April. Shirley Anne Martin said to-day-that ber broken statue of St. Anne no longer “shed tears” -when she kissed it, since her appearance with the image on a television programme last night. Repeatedly, since the girl picked pp the head of the broken statue, after it liad been discarded in; a garbage can on April 2, she had kissed the head, after which, witnesses said, water substance coursed down the cheeks. « To-day the devout, curious and sceptical gathered in great numbers in front of the Martin house, many hoping for a Good Friday miracle. Some wanted the liquid for curative attempts. The little girl appeared briefly at, a'window with her statue head.