Hondurans Turn to Religious Relic for Hope

During desperate political times, Hondurans are focusing their attention towards a small religious icon.

The tiny historic figurine depicts the patron saint of Honduras, Our Lady of Suyapa, who is known for to be a miracle worker. According to New York Times, the original figurine was lost and then recovered in the men’s room of the restaurant almost a quarter-century ago. To this day people still visit the little shrine to pray at the spot where she was found. Plastic roses and carnations grace the area, along with a flutter of lempira notes (Honduran currency), left for the poor.

From a New York Times article, "Amid a Crisis, Hondurans Heap Large Hopes on a Tiny Religious Icon" :

To many Hondurans, the little saint has taken on special significance in a political crisis that has uncovered pent-up social hostility since the president was deposed nearly four months ago. To many here, it seems this country has lost its way, and they have turned to their miracle-working saint to put it back on track.

At Mass on a recent Sunday at the hilltop basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Suyapa —the patron saint not only of Honduras but of all Central America — worshipers asked God to give each side of the political divide the wisdom it needed to find an agreement.

Photo Source: New York Times, 2009