‘It’s a miracle’: Virgin Mary statue appears to cry at N.M. church, attracting thousands

Thousands of Catholics traveled to an eastern New Mexico church over the course of three days after parishioners say a statue of the Virgin Mary began to cry during Mass.

“I’ve seen it and it is a miracle,” said Judy Ronquillo, the business manager for Our Lady of Guadalupe in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Ronquillo told ABC-7 that more than four thousand visitors have stepped foot in the church – which has been open 24/7 – after parishioners say they witnessed a miracle during Sunday Mass.

“I want you to spread the message and tell them that our mother has been crying,” Ronquillo said. “We need to pray.”

Midland resident Peter McDonald skipped work and brought his five children to see the sight.

“It’s an unbelievable blessing to be out here in west Texas and in the middle of nowhere, to have the statue here weeping like this, is just amazing,” McDonald said.

Officials with the Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces will visit the church Thursday to investigate the claims, ABC-7 confirmed with Ronquilllo. The diocese is responsible for all the churches in southern New Mexico.

“We want an investigation,” Ronquillo said. “Our faith tells us that it is a miracle.”

“It feels real,” said Laura Wright, who lives in Hobbs. “She’s actually crying. She’s sad.”

The business manager told ABC-7 the statue first began crying during Mass on Sunday. She said there were tears on Monday and two more tears appeared from one of the statue’s eye on Tuesday.

“It’s a blessing,” Ronquillo said. “I feel I need to love everybody.”