BUNKING STATUE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12772, 25 May 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

BUNKING STATUE.

JOY BELLS RUNG TO CELEBRATE A "MIRACLE."

RELIGIOUS FRENZY. , l LONDON, April 5. Strange events which have occurred from Ronciglione, a little town ten miles from Rome, have deeply stirred the popular imagination, The place has already enjoyed some, fame as a miraculous town, for three years ago a man was relieved, by supernatural means, as was stated at the time, of a supposedly incurable, malady. '; ' Ori tho third anniversary of themiraculous cure what is alleged to be another has taken place,' and the' consequent enthusiasm of the people knows no bounds. It appears that a few evenings ago some" persons m the principal church of the town saw, as they state, the statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception blink its eyes (says the Daily Telegraph). The news that the statue had moved its eyes quickly . spread, and people rushed m crowds to the church: In their excitement they saw — what they .wanted to* see. The statue not orily moved its eyes, but its hands as. well, and the face became suffused with a radiant glow. AH this presaged another miracle, and the excited people rushed to the bells, which Tang a joyful peal from eleven, o'clock at night to the early hours of the morning, waking Ronciglione from its peaceful slumbers and bringing the population m swarms to the church. Among those who came was an unfortunate, being, named Kuastini Spimaco, who had suffered from paralysis and epileptic convulsions for several years. Leaning on crutches he stood before the miraculous image and prayed that he might be loosed from his pains. Suddenly he threw away his crutches ; his prayer had beeri heard.

The religious frenzy --of the people found vent m shouts of joy> a procession was formed, and the former paralytic walked unaided through the town, preceded by a band. He is now the object of' general and profound admiration, and from all the, country round pilgrimages are being made to the church containing the famous wonder-working statue.