Haiti's miracle - Statue of the Blessed Virgin sole survivor after Hurricane Matthew destroys church
FREE Catholic Classes
After Hurricane Matthew decimated a church, one photographer captured a statue of the Virgin still standing against a wall that partially survived the destruction.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
10/13/2016 (8 years ago)
Published in Americas
Keywords: Mary, statue, Hurricane Matthew, Haiti
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Cholera outbreaks, dwindling supplies of clean water and food, frightened and wounded survivors, and the seemingly never-ending task of digging graves in Haiti has not left them without hope.
Hurricane Matthew destroyed entire buildings and completely decimated a church - save for a portion of a single wall, where a statue of the Virgin Mary remained entirely intact.
Haiti's Christian community was touched by the preserved image and found hope amid the darkness.
The Washington Post reported a US military ship arrived in Haiti to deliver food, clean water and construction materials.
Water purification units were among the US shipment and the people are grateful, but still in need.
"There's just so much to do, not to make it more than the earthquake but it's so widespread, it's everything across the board," Chris Bessey, the country representative for Catholic Relief Services, stated.
The Haitian government reported 1.4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and the official death toll currently stands at 473.
Local officials believe that number will rise as more come down with cholera, infections from wounds soaked in filthy water and more.
David Harden, head of humanitarian assistance for the USAID, said Hurricane Matthew relief efforts are difficult to navigate but remain a top priority.
"What complicates it is logistics, remote areas, hard-hit areas, and a lack of capacity," Harden explained. "These are poor countries, that's why it's tougher there than in Miami."
The Haiti government said the clean water and cholera vaccines will make a huge impact and they are currently working with foreign governments and humanitarian groups to rebuild.
Interior Minister Francois Anick Joseph added, "Hurricane Matthew hit us strongly, but we'll pick ourselves up."
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.

Pope Leo XIV – First American Pope
-
- Easter / Lent
- Ascension Day
- 7 Morning Prayers
- Mysteries of the Rosary
- Litany of the Bl. Virgin Mary
- Popular Saints
- Popular Prayers
- Female Saints
- Saint Feast Days by Month
- Stations of the Cross
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Michael the Archangel
- The Apostles' Creed
- Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
- Pray the Rosary

In His First General Audience, Pope Leo XIV Honors Pope Francis and Sows Seeds of Hope

Pope Leo XIV to Celebrate Mass Every Sunday in June, Consistory for Canonizations Set

10 Ways to Travel with a Catholic Heart
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Friday, May 23, 2025
St. John Baptist de Rossi: Saint of the Day for Friday, May 23, 2025
Prayer to St. Gabriel, for Others: Prayer of the Day for Saturday, May 10, 2025
Daily Readings for Thursday, May 22, 2025
St. Rita: Saint of the Day for Thursday, May 22, 2025
- Prayer for Travelers: Prayer of the Day for Friday, May 09, 2025
Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.