There are miracles.
There are quasi-miracles.
And there are what might be best labeled simple “curiosities.”
There can be the convergence of “coincidence.”
This is all in the eye and belief of the beholder.
Writes Pauline Reyna from Texas:
“I’ve been wanting to send you a picture of my statue of Our Lady. She was given to me by my husband and sons years ago. It really was meant to be in a garden, although the beauty of it kept telling me to keep it inside.
“Now, I don’t know approximately when she started to turn color from her face, as she has; at times I feel her eyes seem different every now and then. But to catch her when I can hasn’t happened yet.
“I have not relayed this story to anyone about her except my own family. Though it seems to me that I am not sure if anyone believes. I know I do because when she was brought to me, she wasn’t the color she is now!”
+“For me, she has turned the color of the indigenous people of Mexico, as when she appeared to Juan Diego. Her hands are covered because when my home fell of its foundation, most of her praying hands broke. I want to say because of my Blessed Mother, we were saved from the roof not collapsing on us. That’s another story. She has been my peace of mind, in this world. We can all use Heaven’s Mother and Son for hope and peace and love.”++
One is sure of this: a beautiful picture.
As for northern lights:
“The ‘Aurora Angel,’ also referred to as the ‘Aurora Jesus,’ is a captivating photograph of the northern lights that appears to form the shape of an angel, spreading its ethereal wings across the night sky,” notes a blogger. “This incredible phenomenon was captured in September 2017 and quickly gained global attention for its stunning resemblance to angelic imagery, sparking awe and discussion about nature’s artistry. The extraordinary image, taken in the Arctic sky above Tromsø, Norway, has become one of the most widely shared aurora photographs in history, sparking conversations about its authenticity and origins.”
Meantime, we see on the internet (below, the Confessional Podcast) that “in 2007, a young girl named Erin Potter of Kirkland, Ohio was diagnosed with leukemia. By June 2012, she was facing her third bout of cancer and her second bone marrow transplant. On the evening of June 2, 2012, Erin’s mother snapped a photo of Erin playing in the backyard, running with lit sparklers and enjoying a “normal” childhood summer, despite her prognosis. Upon reviewing it, her mother realized Erin did not appear to be alone in the picture. Standing behind her is what looks like a tall figure of reddish light, transparent but seemingly human in shape. In an enhanced version of the photo, possible facial features, hair, and clothing can even be made out.
[Enhanced image]
“According to the Potters, no one was standing near Erin when the photo was taken. Her mother used a regular digital camera and has stated that she did not shoot through a window (which could have caused a reflection). She believes—as do many who have seen the photo—that the image shows the presence of the Virgin Mary standing over her daughter, making it known that she is not alone in her fight against cancer. Not long after the photograph was taken, Erin underwent her second bone marrow transplant, and was declared cancer-free once again.
“Does the picture taken by Erin’s mother reveal the angelic visage of Virgin Mary, watching over an innocent child? Or are we seeing an anomaly of light caused by Erin’s flaming sparklers in motion? Examine the original picture and the enhanced image above to draw your conclusions!”
Again: eye of the beholder (and believer).