Others Fail to See Miracle in Lubbock : Thousands Tell of Visions of Mary, Jesus

Pilgrims shouting “See her! See her!” say they saw visions of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ in the clouds during an evening Mass, but the pastor of the church where they gathered said real miracles should touch the soul, not the body.

The Mass outside St. John Neumann Catholic Church, held on the annual feast of the Assumption of Mary, had to be interrupted at least three times as thousands of celebrants began crying and screaming that they saw images of Mary and Jesus in the early evening sky Monday.

Leaders of St. John today were expected to begin sorting through photographs and other documents needed as proof of the sightings.

However, Msgr. Joseph James, pastor of the West Texas church, said the real miracles are in the people’s hearts.

“The Blessed Mother said, ‘I am not preparing you for the feast of the Assumption. I am preparing you for eternity.’ What’s important is what people take home,” he said. “They could see 1,000 miracles and go to hell.”

Up to 15,000 people, drawn to the church by stories Mary was speaking to three parishioners, shrieked, cried and pointed to the sky at images in the clouds some saw, but others did not.

“At first I couldn’t see anything, but I prayed a Hail Mary,” said Bertha Curley of Alexandria, Va., who said she saw a veil lift from the sky to reveal a rose color, the figure of Jesus Christ and three rings she said stood for the Holy Trinity.

“I can’t say I saw Mary, but we’re quite pleased,” Curley said. “She put on a good show.”