Embedded Files
Hansen, Mary. 2011. Madonnas of Mexico: Miraculous Images of Our Lady (North Bay, Ontario, Canada: Heavens Above! Publications, 2011), 11.
Country
Mexico
Description
Guadalajara, located in Jalisco, Mexico, is not only the second largest city in the country but also the home to a very popular and miraculous Marian figure. Our Lady of the Thunderbolt is a patron for desperate cases and lost causes. Located in the Church of Jesus María that pertains to the Dominican convent of Guadalajara, a statue stands with quite the story to its name.
On August 13, 1807, the unexplainable happened when a violent storm struck the city. Winds were whirling and thunder cracked when suddenly, the nuns of the convent heard a loud boom. Moments later, the air was filled with smoke as the statue was set ablaze by a strike of lightning. The flames soon spread and engulfed the rest of the convent and the nuns fled in terror. When the fire was finally extinguished, residents ventured back to the building, only to find the place in shambles. The statue of Mary was destroyed, her clothing blackened by the flames and her crystal eyes shattered, yet one thing remained unharmed. The Baby Jesus in her arms was unharmed by the fire with not a single part of His body touched by the flames.
Yet this is not where the story ends. Five days later, as nuns and several helpers worked on cleaning up the wreckage, another terrible storm rolled in. The skies turned black, yet the convent somehow remained bright. The onlookers were surprised to turn and see the statue of Mary, glowing bright against the stormy skies. A sudden crash of thunder roared through the town followed by a flash of lighting, which illuminated the entire chapel. The statue began to change from white to pink then eventually back to its natural colors. The event ended just as quickly as it began, only this time leaving the statue looking even better than its original state.
After an official investigation by the church, Our Lady of the Thunderbolt was crowned, and the news of her miracle swept across the land. Since then, many miracles have been said to be attributed to her including that of a young nun by the name of Cecilia de San Cayetano, who injured her spinal cord and was left paralyzed, subject to great amounts of pain. Even after receiving treatment from the finest doctors in the city, it was ruled that there was simply nothing else they could do to help her condition.
Eight long years passed and still Cecilia never lost hope that Our Lady would cure her, and on December 17, 1850, her prayers were answered. For some strange reason she felt an irresistible urge to go visit Our lady of Thunderbolt that day and, with the help of an aid, she was brought to the feet of the statue. Here she prayed: “Oh restore my health Good Mother, for if I continue like this, I fear for my salvation.” San Cecilia was of course cured, and there are countless such stories in circulation.
References:
Hansen, Mary. “The Miracle of Our Lady of the Thunderbolt.” OnePeterFive. March 29, 2022.
Redemptorist Pastoral Publication. Mary Throughout Latin America. Liguori: Liguori Publications, 2005.
Researched by Mary T. Landry
Popular Devotions
Prayer:
Our Lady of the Thunderbolt, Patroness of Urgent Needs:
You cured Sister Cecilia of her depression, her pain, and her paralysis.
Please help me in this urgent situation!
Especially help those who have no one to pray for them. Amen.
Hail Mary
Dios te salve, María. Llena eres de gracia: El Señor es contigo.
Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres.
Y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre: Jesús.
Santa María, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros pecadores,
ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte.
Amen.
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