A Black Virgin Mary

The Saint

Our Lady of Aparecida is the patron saint of Brazil. Fishermen were said to have found a small, dark-skinned saint stataue of the Virgin Mary in a river in 1717. Venerated by the population, many miracles have been attributed to this icon.

I was showing this painting at the cultural center at an airport in São Paulo, when a well-dressed lady walked right up to the painting and kneeled infront of it, said a prayer, crossed herself and left. She didn´t even acknowledge my presence. I can only imagine that she was praying for a safe journey!

This painting is in the Marilyn Diggs Brazil exhibit until Aug.15th. For more info go to "Featured Events" at http://www.mdiggsart.com/