Maria Giuseppe Scarpulla, a woman from Sicily who captivated many with her claim to possess the image of the Virgin Mary shedding tears of blood, has been reported missing. Police say her husband is also absconding. A criminal case was registered once morest them following the police found that they used pig’s blood to make the blood stains.
In 2016, Scarpulla purchased the image of the Virgin Mary from a Catholic church in Medjugorje, Bosnia. They came forward with the claim that when they reached home, they got some messages from their mother and the form started shedding tears of blood. On the third day of every month, hundreds of pilgrims began to gather at Scarpulla’s house to pray and receive new revelations from God. Many of them had come hoping to be cured of deadly diseases.
Later, the bishop of the area, Marco Salvi, announced that he would investigate this. Andrea Cacciotti, a private detective, informed the police that some of the people who came here had told her that they were being harassed.
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Catholic faith and weeping figures
The association between weeping figures and the Catholic faith has a long history. An example of this is The Madonna of Syracuse in Sicily itself. Some Catholics say that this is a form that has been crying since 1953. News of such weeping statues have been reported in several countries, including Hungary, Argentina and Macedonia.
Some Catholics say that a weeping statue has theological significance and should acknowledge the connection between the miracles and the Virgin Mary. Catholics believe that Mary is the mother of God himself because she is the mother of Jesus Christ. Such supernatural occurrences are considered proof of this position of Mary throughout Catholic history.
For Catholics, Mary’s tears have a special meaning. Believers say that she weeps not only for the sins of the world, but also for her own suffering and distress, known as the ‘Seven Sorrows of Mary’. These seven sorrows include the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
When people come forward with such supernatural claims, it is investigated by the bishop or a commission appointed by him. Healings, conversions, and the deepening of the Catholic faith are all considered good things. At the same time, making statements contrary to the Catholic faith is not encouraged.
