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| By Stephen B. Whatley |
Our Lady of Altagracia by Stephen B Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
By Stephen B. Whatley
Today, September 8th, is the Feast Day of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. There are numerous devotions to Mary through the ages and throughout the world. Our Lady of Altagracia a devotion originating in the 16th century translates beautifully from the Spanish into Our Lady of High Grace. She is the Patron Saint of the Dominican Republic.
September 5th marked the anniversary of my baptism when just over a month old in 1965 - and on that day this year I turned the pages of the Illustrated Book of Mary (William J Hirten Co. 2010) - a gift from a loved one - and discovered Our Lady of Altagracia; and through prayers of Hail Mary this tribute drawing evolved.
From Mary Day By Day (1987 Catholic Book Publishing Corp., NY) in September 5th entry: "Mary is the echo of God. If we say 'Mary', she will answer 'God'. That is why union with her is always followed by union with God".
Peace & blessings of healing and relief on this special day.
Charcoal on paper,
16.5 x 11.5in
More Christian Artwork: Stephen B. Whatley
In 2005 I had a gland in my neck growing at a fast pace, without getting answers from the doctors on what it exactly was. One doctor even told me it could be cancer. Awaiting a test, I was terribly stressed and lost almost 10 kilos in one week. I remember closing my eyes and seeing my own funeral. I was praying constantly for my life and in this period, my ex-wife and I went on vacation to the Dominican Republic. It was already two months having this thing on my neck. During this vacation we made day trip to Higuey, where the Lady of Altagracia Cathedral was located. While standing in front of the icon, I prayed for my condition. Meanwhile my ex-wife was standing there and took a picture of me. At first I was very irritated as it wasn't a touristic event, but a serious moment. Since then, I felt the gland or whatever it was start to shrink and within a period of 10 days, it totally disappeared without any doctor's intervention. Later, when we watched the photo, we saw a white tall woman like figure standing diagonal to me, just like Mary. Even when looking closer, one can see branches and leaves in the mantle. This was a confirmation that indeed, Mary was there listening to my prayer and She intervened for my cure. I never visited a doctor again and never felt this gland till 2015 (10 years later). It didn't grow and served as a reminder that it was exactly 10 years ago that this miracle happened.
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