In the depths of Bien Unido beach, in the city of Bohol, Philippines, the figure of the Virgin was found under the sea. Find out more about this interesting fact that marked a before and after in the Catholic world.
Story of the virgin under the sea
A large statue, 14 metres high, was found in the depths of Bien Unido, a tourist beach in the Philippines. The underwater virgin was quite submerged, about 24 metres deep. To this day, the beach has become a centre of pilgrimage. Devotees flock to the site to pay homage to the Virgin Mary, who was named the Virgin of the Sea.
The discovery was made when a group of professional divers went for a swim that day. They had cameras with them to capture some great moments underwater. Little did they know that in the depths they would find the majestic figure of the Virgin Mary.
When the Virgin was found under the sea, the Catholic world was shocked. The divers filmed the moment and later uploaded their video to the YouTube channel. Both the people of Bohol and the beach authorities were at a loss to explain what had happened. In the end, they concluded that it was a miracle.
Virgin Mary found under the sea
When the image of the Virgin Mary was discovered, it was placed on a reef called Danajon. The image of the Child Jesus was found in the same place. The bust has been in the same place since 2010.
It was thought that the presence of the religious figures underwater could affect fishing activities in the UK. Or even to protect the busts from atheist groups polluting the sea with explosives and oil.
A press release issued by the UK’s highest authorities stated that pilgrims could pray underwater. The government body urged the faithful to come to the site to find peace through certain prayers to the Virgin Mary. They also thanked the divers for the discovery, as it was a historic event that immediately astonished the world.
The appearance of the Virgin Mary under the sea has also been linked to the Malaysian airliner crash in 2014.
Virgin under the sea in Venezuela
Under the waters of the Los Roques archipelago lies the Virgin of the Valley, the patron saint of Nueva Esparta. Her sanctuary is located in the same place where many believers come to venerate this Marian devotion.
The Virgin of the Valley was immersed in Los Roques in 2003 to commemorate her fiesta. The silhouette of the Virgin in the sunlight was striking, as her golden ornaments stood out. She wears the Holy Rosary around her neck.
In 2007, a group of divers transferred the Virgen del Valle to the Mochima National Park. In an act of commemoration, the swimmers immersed the image in the waters of the famous park.
The main protagonists of this ceremony were Francisco García, Héctor Contreras and other members of the Aquatics Diving Centre. They were all responsible for guarding the Virgin of the Valley. Later, a large marine chapel was built so that tourists could dive and pray in front of the image of the Virgin of the Valley.
The infrastructure is said to be so solid that the water has not made a dent in it. It was in 2007 that the divers adopted this devotion as their patron saint.
Prayer to the Virgin of the Sea in Venezuela
The 8th of September is the day or saint’s day of the Virgin of the Valley, also known as the Virgin of the Sea thanks to the divers. The Virgin of the Valley is one of the most important Marian devotions in the country, along with the Virgin of Chiquinquirá.
The prayer to the Virgin of the Valley is as follows
-O beloved Virgin of the Valley, who was submerged by your diving soldiers on the beaches of the East. We ask you to enlighten our paths so that we may not commit sins and correct the mistakes of the past. Bless us forever by giving us the great virtue of faith that does not break. May our dreams come true and may you lead us out of our difficulties. Pray for us. Amen.
