INTACT VIRGIN MARY STATUE BECOMES BEACON OF HOPE

MONTECRISTI Catholics are paying tribute to a statue of the Virgin Mary that survived the 7.8-magnitude earthquake, which upended Ecuador last Saturday. According to the New York Times, the basilica named for Our Mother of Monserrate stands in ruins, surrounded by the wreckage of the steeple, bell tower and portions of the white facade.

But the quake did no harm to the metre-tall statue, dressed in gold robes and wearing a tiny crown, which previously survived bombardment by pirates.

“She is the mother who has taken care of us through this earthquake,” Rev. Ángel Toaquiza, said. “And I think a sign of this is that she suffered no damage that day.”