The residents of a Quebec seniors' home say a potato they believe has a divine message is bringing them strength and comfort.

The cook at the centre was slicing potatoes Aug. 22 when he accidentally, some might say miraculously, made a perfect lengthwise cut, revealing what he would later describe as a sign of the cross in the centre of each half.

"He was flabbergasted and surprised, but happy at the same time, because anyone who is Christian would say that's a sign," said Emilien Morin, head of the residents' committee of the La Rive residence in Grande-Riviere in eastern Quebec.

Morin said most of the home's 22 residents are Roman Catholic and were equally impressed by the discovery.

"People are positive, they think it brings them confidence," he said.

"It's a sign of destiny and it brings safety and comfort."

Morin says the residents are currenly drying the potato in order to preserve it.

They will eventually display it in a case with some historical information about when and where it was found.

He says it's not uncommon to find holes and shapes in the middle of spuds but he believes the cross is unusual.

"I'm 80 years old, and it's the first time I've seen anything like this," he said.

He says the residents are hoping the potato is bearing a divine message, although Morin isn't sure what it might mean.

"Who knows?" he said. "Maybe it will bring nothing. It's only a potato."