* September 6 – Weeping Madonna of Syracuse (Italy, 1953)  * Suddenly calm, Antonina whispered: "The Madonna is weeping" --- An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association  September 6 – Weeping Madonna of Syracuse (Italy, 1953)  Suddenly calm, Antonina whispered: "The Madonna is weeping" Images are from http://www.visionsofjesuschrist.com/weeping1.htm Antonina and her husband Angelo Iannuso were very poor so they moved to Syracuse in Sicily (Italy), after their wedding to live with relatives. They kept a simple plaster plaque of the Virgin Mary, one of their wedding presents, above their bedstead. When Antonina became pregnant, she was very ill and had to stay in bed. She found her refuge in prayer, although Angelo mocked her for her faith. On August 29, 1953, Antonina felt violent cramps but before anyone could call the doctor, she became suddenly calm and whispered: "The Madonna is weeping." Her aunt and her sister, as well as other relatives and neighbors, also witnessed tears flowing from the eyes of the Madonna on the plaster plaque. Antonina witnessed the miracle of the tears falling from the Madonna’s eyes for several hours and wiped them away with cotton wool. The plaque was placed in the window, and the miracle was seen by priests and thousands of pilgrims for the next four days. After investigation, the Sicilian episcopate recognized the supernatural origin of the phenomenon. The tears were found to be of the same composition as human tears. Today the Weeping Madonna of Syracuse is the newest shrine of Sicily, approved by Pope Pius XII in 1954. People come from all over the world to see this miracle.  Adapted from: www.marypages.com Weeping Madonna of Syracuse Let’s pray together  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.