Thousand claim a simple picture of Christ on the cross brought them years of good luck and miracle cures.
The copy of the picture could change your life too. If you really believe it can. It's not a work of art, but the spirit is there, says Father.
Ricardo La Paz, who passed out hundreds of copies of the photo to his parishioners in Cadiz, Spain after his mother was cured of a blood disease.
Albert Hennings, a chicago area barber, claims his photo has brought him and his family good luck since he hung it in his home five years ago.
"My cousin won the Illinois lottery when she rubbed her tickers on the picture. Hannings gave him in the hospital.
Frozen HellOther claims of the good fortune and divine intervention come from all part of the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
A Russian sentenced to labor in Siberia ten years ago, credits a wallet sized copy of the photo for helping him survive fire years in a frozen hell.
Jose Benito, a Los Angeles cab driver, believes a snapshot- sized copy of the pictures saved his life and he lives of two passengers in a head on collision with a truck.
Good JobSteve Mason was a stree person in 1985, panhandling in Seattle when a woman handed him battered copy of the picture.
The change in my luck was miraculous, "he said. "I'd barelywa;ked 50 feet when I was offered a job as a dishwasher in a small restaurant. Two weeks later, I got a good job as a construction worker and have been doing great since."
Mason says "the most remarkable thing was that his entire attitude change."
I was on the streets because I didn't care. "He explains."I was depressed after the death of my wife and didn't care if I live ir died. "But that changed the moment I touched the picture."
A Sun investigation indicates the original crucifix is in Baldassaro, a tiny village in southern Sicily. It was made by an arts and crafts worker in an old age home in early 1960's.
The old woman who made the crucifix died in a short while after completing it. Within six months iit was credited with a series of miracles. Then a young girl took a picture of it and sent it to her mother in Rome. Within days, the woman was cured of lung cancer.
ConvincedOther cures and miracles were attributed to the picture and before long photocopies of it were being passed around. Amazingly, the miracles continued with the copies.
Copies of the picture started showing up in souveneir stores in Rome during the late 60's where tourist from all parts of Europe and America bought copies. Since then, the photo has been copied and re--copied dozens perhaps hundreds of times, says Fortunato.
Father La PAz says his mother got her picture during 1970's from a friend.
An American bishop who asked that his name not be used sayd he's convinced the photo does possesses a power to heal.
- John Justice April 16, 2000- SUN - 19
Prayer for SalvationHoly name of Jesus save me. Holy Blood of Jesus cover and protect me. Holy
throne of Jesus, fence and surround me. Holy cross of Jesus light me and
guide me. Holy wounds of Jesus heals and hide me, forgive me. Mama MAry
pray for me. Holy Spirit dwells in me.
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