SIGNS & MIRACLES - Image of Virgin Mary appears on US building

During three weeks over Christmas 1996, 450,000 people went to view the wall of a black glass building in south Florida where a two-storey-high image of the Virgin Mary had appeared. The rainbow-coloured image on the outside of the Seminole Finance building in Clearwater, Florida, is about 50 feet wide and 35 feet tall, and stretches across nine panes of glass.

Some witnesses said the image began forming about the time of Thanksgiving, in late November. A couple of weeks later, a customer of Seminole Finance called a local television station to say she had seen an image of the Virgin Mary on the building. The station showed pictures of the image during their newscast, and soon large crowds began gathering.

"It's quite amazing. It's very spiritual, very peaceful," said Patty Scharn, a receptionist at the building. According to police spokesman Wayne Shelor: "People are making shrines, bringing gifts, candles, flowers, statues. Some have been overwhelmed and fainted. We have the infirm, the disabled in wheelchairs, the blind. They're coming 500 at a time.... But it's not a carnival atmosphere. There is a sense of awe and wonder."

Some visitors said the image was caused by the sun reflecting off water left by sprinklers. A spokesman for the local Catholic diocese said: "There's no reason at this point to think that what's appearing there cannot be explained by natural causes ... We're just telling people to exercise caution. Use some healthy scepticism."

But many who have come to view the image do not need to be convinced of its authenticity. "It was like you're in an angel's arms," said one visitor.

(Sources: Associated Press; Clearwater Times, Petersburg Times, USA; Hamburger Abendblatt, Germany)

(The following report is from Jane Baker who visited Clearwater)

"The effect of this apparition has been peaceful, uplifting, and unifying throughout the west central Florida communities. Night after night it was the 'big story' at the top of the hour for all the local television newscasts. People of all different ages, races, nationalities and beliefs daily come to pray before Mary. The crowds are orderly, friendly, and loving. There has been no negative reaction to this apparition.

What amazes me is the hush that falls upon the crowd as they look upon the figure. You know it is sacred. Even the policemen directing traffic hour after hour, day after day, are relaxed, pleasant, and wishing everyone a happy holiday. In front of the glass are rows and rows of flowers, candles, food and other gifts to honour Mary. All the money donated at the site has been turned over to local charities.

The owner of the building does not care that hundreds, even thousands of people are occupying his parking lot. He does not care what effect it will have on his business. He says he is blessed and everyone is welcome to see Mary day or night. Yes, you can even see it in the dark. The city planners in charge of traffic control are calling their task-force 'The Miracle Management Team'.

"I will be returning to the site in a couple of days. It is awesome. I don't know which I find more compelling - the vision of Mary or the transforming effect on the masses."

Editorial note

Benjamin Creme's Master confirms that the Master Who was the Madonna manifested the image on the Clearwater window.

According to Benjamin Creme, editor of Share International magazine, all the miracles are signs of the imminent emergence of Maitreya, the World Teacher, and his group, the Masters of Wisdom. They are the custodians of the Divine Plan for this planet and are returning now to show us the way out of our current difficulties and bring the new teachings which will guide humanity towards its next evolutionary step. Soon we will see Maitreya on television, interviewed on a major American network and hear his call for sharing and justice, as the only way to peace.

Benjamin Creme writes: "Over many years Maitreya and his group of Masters have saturated the world with miracles. All religious groups look for signs. It is through the signs that they know the teacher is in the world or is coming into the world. You only have to keep awake and you will see that signs are everywhere. In every country in the world, in every religious setting, there are signs of one kind or another."

His telepathic contact with a Master of Wisdom allows Benjamin Creme to receive up-to-date information on the Maitreya's emergence and to expand on the Ageless Wisdom Teachings. Through this contact Benjamin Creme's Master regularly confirms whether a phenomenon is a miracle that was manifested by one or other of the Masters. Most the miracles are manifested by Maitreya Himself, the Master Jesus or the Master Who was the Madonna.