In a remarkable and unexpected occurrence, worshippers at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Ohio were left in awe when a statue of the Virgin Mary seemingly blinked at them during a recent church event. The incident, which many are calling a miracle, has sparked widespread attention, with video and photographic evidence circulating rapidly on social media.

The statue in question is the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, an icon with deep religious significance. Known for its sacred origins, this particular statue has been traveling the globe since 1968, spreading the message of Fatima. Pope Paul VI blessed it in May 1967 during a visit to Fatima, Portugal, and was later presented to the United Kingdom by the Bishop of Fatima the following year. Since then, it has been revered by countless believers around the world.

On August 2, during a stop at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, worshippers claimed that the statue’s typically wide-open eyes appeared to close and then reopen, as though the Virgin Mary was blinking. This event was reportedly witnessed by several attendees, some of whom managed to capture the moment on camera.

Katie Moran, one of the witnesses, shared her experience with local news station WJW. “I took a picture, and it looked normal at first. But when I took another one to be sure, I noticed that the eyes were closed. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Moran recounted. Her photos, which she later posted online, show a clear difference in the appearance of the statue’s eyes.

Another worshipper, Connie Liptak, also observed the phenomenon and expressed her belief that it was a divine sign. “I knew it was a miracle because I’d been looking at her all morning. The eyes were really closed. You can clearly see her lashes are down,” Liptak said.

The incident has drawn both curiosity and skepticism from various quarters. While some view it as a sign of the Virgin Mary’s presence and blessing, others are more cautious, attributing the phenomenon to a trick of light or camera angles. Nonetheless, for those who were present, the experience was profound and deeply spiritual.

The National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima holds special significance in the Catholic faith. The original apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1917 in Fatima, Portugal, where she appeared to three shepherd children, are a cornerstone of Marian devotion. The message of Fatima, which includes calls for repentance, prayer, and conversion, continues to inspire millions of believers worldwide.

As the story of the blinking statue spreads, it has reignited conversations about faith, miracles, and the ways in which the divine may manifest in our lives. For those who witnessed the event, it was a moment of profound connection with the sacred, a reminder of the power of faith, and a testament to the enduring mystery of the Virgin Mary.