Religious image in Camarines Sur reportedly shed tears of blood

The Catholic Church is looking into reports that an image of Our Lady of Fatima in Sagñay, Camarines Sur has shed tears of blood. 

The incident reportedly happened on March 20, 2024 when the image was brought from one house to another as part of tradition in the area. 

When the image arrived at the house of Salvacion Navalta’s, some liquid reportedly fell from its eyes that Navalta believed to be blood. 

“Pagdating doon sa loob ng bahay namin binaba ko na sa may altar, niyakap ko po siya sabi ko ‘Mama Mary nandito ka naman sa akin.’ Nung hahalik na ako sa kamay niya… tumayo yung mga balbon ko, parang nanghihina yung mga tuhod ko, sabi ko, ‘Mama Mary ano ito?’ tapos sabi ko, ‘Diyos ko, Mama Mary, ano ang ibig sabihin nito?'” Navalta said.

News about the incident spread quickly and reached the convent of Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish in the town.

“Hindi naka kibo si Father, ta buhay na buhay po talaga yung dugo niya,” Jovencia Avila, a witness, said.

Nida Geronimo, coordinator of the Soldiers of Christ Catholic Charismatic Healing Ministry, said the house-to-house visitation has been ongoing for almost four decades to spread awareness about spirituality. They have used different religious images but they have not experienced anything similar. 

She believes there is a message behind what happened.

“Sabi ko, may message o may mensahe na [gustong] iparating dito sa lugar natin… na yung mga tao talaga na sarado ang mga puso na hindi kilala ang panginoong Hesukristo. Ito na po talaga ang oras na ang tao matuto na magbalik loob sa Diyos,” Geronimo said.

The image that reportedly shed blood is made of fiberglass and has been in their possession for two years.

The incident has caught the attention of the Archdiocese of Caceres.

The Catholic Church will conduct an examination and investigation to determine the authenticity of the report and see if what happened can be considered a miracle. This process can take a long time, possibly years.

Aside from the Catholic Church in the Philippines, the Vatican may also investigate the incident.

“Kaipuhan talagang examinon itong imahen, hilingon kung ano tong dugo na to, kung anong liquid itong nagluluwas sa mata [kung] actual or genuine blood, so kadakol pong mga investigation,” Rev. Fr. Luisito Occiano, the Spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Caceres, said.

While the authenticity of the alleged miracle of tears shed by the image of Our Lady of Fatima has not yet been proven, those who witnessed the tears, like Navalta, feel a stronger sense of devotion. They consider themselves fortunate to have been chosen as witnesses, to serve as a bridge to convey the message of divine intervention. —GMA Regional TV