| Cebu's Simala Church a major Mother Mary Shrine our visit on Valentine's Day 2015 |
| Our Lady of Lourdes, whom my wife is named-after |
| Pilgrims crowd to pray to the "miraculous" statue of "Mary as Queen of Heaven", which began to 'cry bloody tears' a decade or so ago, and has been credited with thousands of healings, wish-grantings and other miracles since then -- the lobby is filled with written testamonials, discarded medical equipment & etc. |
| The history of this church is told in a series of ten paintings -- humble beginnings as an impoverished convent caring for the poorest; a pious old man makes a prediction of holy visitations; the apparitions of Mother Mary and her miracles begin; a million people visit and donate cash; construction is ongoing.... |
