Did you know that there are many statues around the world, especially of the Virgin Mary, that have shown extraordinary signs like weeping, bleeding, and other phenomena associated with miracles?
If you haven't heard this story, get ready to learn about one of the most mysterious cases, which took place in Japan, in the city of Akita. Let's dive into this enigma and explore the details surrounding this event, full of spirituality and questions.
Akita is a Japanese city with a long history, dating back thousands of years. It was once ruled by samurais and, in the modern era, faced major challenges like the devastation caused by World War II. According to the 2018 census, the city has more than 300,000 residents. It is within this setting that our story unfolds, particularly between the 1970s and 1980s, when something extraordinary happened. A statue of Our Lady, located in a Japanese convent, began exhibiting signs that attracted international attention: weeping, bleeding, and other inexplicable phenomena. This case became known as the Miracle of Our Lady of Akita.
Over the years, the Virgin Mary has appeared in various parts of the world, delivering messages of faith, love, and concern for humanity. In Akita, she manifested in a unique way, interacting with Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa, who was chosen to be the bearer of divine messages. On June 12, 1973, Sister Agnes was in the convent chapel, the Institute of the Servants of the Most Blessed Sacrament, when she noticed a bright light coming from the altar, surrounded by a fine mist. As she approached the statue, she experienced a miracle: the image came to life, and with a celestial voice, began delivering messages.
Over the next few months, Sister Agnes received three messages from Mary. In addition to experiencing the stigmata—wounds resembling those of Jesus at the crucifixion—she also underwent a series of events that strengthened her faith and mission. For instance, on July 6, 1973, Sister Agnes, who was deaf, heard a voice saying, "Your deafness will be healed. Be patient." Miraculously, her hearing was restored.
Even more impressive was the bleeding phenomenon. The statue of the Virgin Mary began showing a stigmata-like wound that looked real, with a human appearance. With each new sign, Sister Agnes felt a deep spiritual connection that strengthened her mission to convey the messages she received.
Although the Akita case attracted many people, it also sparked skepticism. In a world where miracles and supernatural phenomena are often questioned, scientists decided to investigate the bodily fluids emanating from the statue. Samples of blood, sweat, and tears were analyzed by independent teams, who concluded that these fluids were of human origin. The blood, for instance, was identified as type B, while the sweat and tears were AB. The investigators concluded that something supernatural had occurred since it would be impossible for an inanimate object to produce human fluids.
After extensive investigations, Bishop John Shojiro Ito of Niigata officially declared that the supernatural nature of the events could not be denied. In 1984, he authorized the veneration of Our Lady of Akita. The story was confirmed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI), who, after reviewing the investigations, allowed the message to be shared with the faithful.
But the phenomena didn’t stop there. The statue of Our Lady of Akita continued to weep, with a total of 101 recorded weeping episodes until 1981. In 1982, a woman from South Korea, Theresa Chun, reported a miracle: she was cured of a brain tumor after placing an image of Our Lady of Akita under her pillow and praying for healing. This case was documented by Father Joseph Oh in Korea.
Despite all the scientific evidence and miracle reports, there are still those who question the origin of these phenomena. Some Protestants, for instance, believe that the miracles could be signs of evil forces, as image worship is not part of their belief. Others, on the other hand, consider these signs as a divine gift to ease human suffering.
What do you think about all this? Could these miracles be a divine manifestation to bring comfort and hope to people, or is it a scheme to deceive the faithful? The story of Our Lady of Akita continues to intrigue, inspire, and divide opinions, but the mystery persists, inviting everyone to reflect on their faith and beliefs.
