They were young teenagers, who, after seeing what they saw, passed, probably terrified, a special examination to rule out hysteria or hallucinations, or worse, some chronic mental disorder. But no, none of that. The results showed that they are mentally healthy. And these young people, since April 20, 1906, have witnessed what is known as the Miracle of the Virgin of Sorrows School of San Gabriel.

It is said that they were at dinner and in front of more than thirty people, the image of Our Lady opened and closed her eyes for several minutes. It is not difficult to imagine the reaction of Catholic students to such an unusual event. Several priests and associates from the school were also present. That school, on the day of the inauguration of the building and between Archbishop Quito and the head of the Society, had a surprise for President García Moreno. According to historians, these religious authorities, in order to please and thank the president, changed the original name to San Gabriel, supposedly in honor of the archangel San Gabriel. I assume that neither at that date, nor now, anyone believes that the archangel’s messenger was the real inspiration for that baptism. In any case, that school in 1906 still had the fresh founding mark of Alfaro’s enemy. Those were, therefore, dark times for Catholicism.

Why is the memory of the Sorrowful Mother celebrated in Ecuador on April 20

Not only ideologically, Catholicism faced an obstacle in educational logistics, because it was not possible to certify diplomas or academic titles of schools without evaluating students in front of non-believing schools. Regardless of the nobility of secularism that flared up in 1895, they immediately expelled the Jesuits, Salesians and other religious orders who, whether they wanted to or not, were the bearers of education. Especially for conservative families and believers, the future of their children was in danger, because without education there is no future, no boundaries, no morals.

It would be fantastic if you could experience the view of the earth as our responsibility…

In any case, in the midst of this radically different social context, the miracle of the Virgin was accepted as a materially true fact and was not attributed to the works of the devil. Testimonies of direct and indirect experiences were collected from there. Of these experiences, many in the country and the world.

I confess that it is not easy for my mind to understand these unusual apparitions or events. However, what will always attract my attention is the ability to see what is invisible to the eyes, the ability to see the infinite tenderness that subdues you and bends your knees. They are real experiences that, without explanation by pure reason, allow us to see others, the present and ourselves in a different way.

I admire that ability to look like that. It would be fantastic if you saw the state as our responsibility, as a community that needs a deep dialogue that protects us from terrible evils such as drug trafficking and its derivatives.

If at the beginning of the last century the bad thing was Catholic, or secular, or vice versa, today at least the bad fruit of the boasting of those who believe that they are macho and who place devilish vanity below, the possibility of building hope for a better life, is clearly visible. (OR)