Catholic officials say 'crying' Mary statue phenomenon is natural

[Carol]

Catholic officials say 'crying' Mary statue phenomenon is natural
Local Catholic diocese officials think that the 'tear' found on a statue of the biblical Mary in an Orange County store is a natural--not spiritual--phenomenon, according to a statement released Wednesday.

The statue, which had been on sale at the luxury furniture store Castle Designs, is a life-sized replica of Michelangelo's Pieta, which depicts Mary holding Jesus' body after the crucifixion.

After it arrived at the store, a dark mark appeared on Mary's white, marble face making it look as if the statue is crying.

The $15,000 statue was taken off the market after the discovery of the mark, which appeared within the past few weeks. Visitors have been coming to the 33rd Street store to pray.

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