by Ian Pearce

Religious Producer

This is one of 220 such images - one for every nation of the world The miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is held by many Catholics to be one of the greatest wonders of all time. In a visitation by Mary the Mother of Christ, an image of her pregnant form was in some way imprinted onto a cloak in Mexico. The image appears to shimmer and hover above the cloth which ought to have turned to dust years ago. The image is said to have eyes that react to light as well. So what is the Image doing in Bedford? And why was it not hovering or even shimmering. The answer is that the image I saw in the church of St Joseph and the Holy Child is a digital copy. It is one of 220 such images - one for every nation of the world. This one arrived rolled up on the train from London. The copies are revered as relics because they have been consecrated while touching the original in Guadalupe. The British digital image is on a tour around the country. Bedford Catholics have planned a pretty full itinerary. The Image will feature in 'holy hours' in churches throughout the town, it will also visit schools, the hospital and the Yarls Wood Detention Centre. The image shows a vision of the Holy Virgin praying inwardly to the God inside and reflects the humanity of Mary's condition. Ahead of Pope Benedict's visit To England and Scotland, Catholics throughout Bedford of all nationalities will progress through the town expressing solidarity with the leader of the Catholic Church worldwide.



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