A reflection of Mary on the right leg of the Risen Saviour sculpture at Medjugorje.
TEARS OF SORROW... TEARS OF JOY
There is much conjecture over the possible reason and any significance as to why water seeps from the right leg of the Risen Saviour sculpture at Medjugorje.
Some consider the phenomenon ‘miraculous’. Many healings, both spiritual and physical, are associated with the 30-metre bronze structure that towers above the pilgrims who gather to pray and ponder around the imposing dual representation of the Crucified and Risen Christ created by the Slovenian artist, Andrej Ajdic. He explains:
“My sculpture of Christ differs from the classic images and doesn’t resemble them at all. It is a result of a different approach to the theme and introduces a new reflection, which succeeds in creating in a single sculpture both the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. My Jesus symbolises both… In this single sculpture I have managed to present two mysteries simultaneously: Crucifixion and Resurrection.”
The Risen Saviour sculpture at Medjugorje
Water began seeping from the right knee in the summer of 2000. There are occasions when the flow ceases, only to start again after a few days or weeks of ‘dryness’.
The area where the water flows is within reach of pilgrims. They are able to touch the leg – even cling to and embrace it. In turn, it is often the pilgrim’s heart which is touched and brought to tears – tears of sorrow, tears of joy. They share in the mournful experience of the Blessed Mother when Jesus was crucfied on his cross:
Let me mingle tears with you,
mourning him who mourned for me
all the days that I may live:
by the cross with you to stay,
there with you to weep and pray,
is all I ask of you to give.
(Stabat mater dolorosa)
They share in the Blessed Mother’s hope and joyful experience of the resurrection through the cross:
Christ, when you shall call me hence,
be your mother my defence,
be your cross my victory.
(Stabat mater dolorosa)
The ‘flowing’ image of Our Lady shown at the top of the page was photographed by myself at Medjugorje on September 14, 2006, the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. The reflection on the Risen Christ sculpture was recorded unintentionally and not composed or recognised at the time.
Almost two decades later, I am able to perceive the significance of Our Lady’s reflection and the phenomenon of water seeping from the sculpture as an outpouring of tears by a Mother sharing in the many sufferings and resurrection experiences of her ‘children’ at Medjugorje. Tears of sorrow, tears of joy.
It is the mother of Jesus who always stands next to each of us and our own cross, and who waits for our resurrection, our reconciliation with her Son Jesus. She confirmed this in a message given to the seer Mirjana when she said, “I am always beside you…”
The Sorrowful Mother is also our Mother who promises that her Immaculate Heart will triumph, when tears of sorrow will turn to tears of joy, a joy which Jesus promises his disciples “no one shall take from you”.
I also understood the image as being a personal sign. My mother had died twelve days earlier and was buried on September 5.
I intended to cancel my planned solo visit to Medjugorje scheduled for a week later but my family insisted I go ahead, which I did.
Three days later, I was blessed with the image of Mary on the Medjugorje sculpture representing both death and resurrection.