Hansen, Mary. 2011. Madonnas of Mexico: Miraculous Images of Our Lady  (North Bay, Ontario, Canada: Heavens Above! Publications, 2011), 21. Country Mexico Description On September 19, 1644 in the small town of Talpa, Mexico, something of a miracle happened. A 19-inch statue of Our Lady of the Rosary, brought over from Europe years prior by Franciscan missionaries, was placed in a local chapel where is was venerated by all who came to visit. For decades, visitors brought gifts to lay at the statues feet in her honor. This included things such as flowers, corn, and beans, all of which attracted insects. Over time, the insects ate away at the image, leaving it battered and tarnished and eventually so disfigured that the pastor, Father Pedro Rubio Felix, had no choice but to dispose of it. He feared that the unsightly looking statue may deter the faith of his parishioners and asked the cantor's daughter to prepare its disposal. She reluctantly accepted, as she herself had always loved the image. She was instructed to wrap the statue in altar cloths but was utterly shocked when she attempted to do so. Out of nowhere a radiant light protruded from the statues forehead, and she fell to the floor unconscious. Parishioners rushed to her side in fear for her life, but she quickly regained consciousness. Their attention soon came back to the radiant statue, which now looked different. Instead of reverting back to its old weathered form, it now appeared brand new. The once cracked and deformed figure now took the shape of a beautiful Marian figure. After official church investigation, it was agreed that the event truly was that of a miracle and was confirmed with a document of authenticity in 1644.  Word spread of this amazing event and people traveled from far and wide just to get a glimpse of the famous statue.  In fact, so many people rushed into the small chapel that it had to be expanded in order to accommodate the overflowing crowds. The shrine was even declared a Basilica by Pope Benedict XV in 1915 after our Lady of Talpa was credited with saving the town from a widespread epidemic. To this very day crowds are still attracted to this holy site as it is considered one of the “Three Sister Virgins of Jalisco”, along with Our Lady of Zapopan and our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos, two other Marian figures.  Hansen, Mary. 2011. Madonnas of Mexico: Miraculous Images of Our Lady. North Bay, Ontario, Canada: Heavens Above! Publications, 2011. Liguori.  Mary Throughout Latin America. MO: Liguori Publications, 2005.  Popular Devotions Prayer: Our Lady of Talpa, you saved the town of Talpa from a terrible epidemic in 1825.  Please save me and my loved ones from the burdens of life which, at times, seem so overwhelming.  Please intercede for me with your Son, Jesus.  Amen. Hail Mary