Summary
On May 20, 2018, worshippers attending Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Hobbs, New Mexico, noticed something extraordinary: liquid appeared to be flowing from the eyes of a large bronze statue of the Virgin Mary. The phenomenon reportedly returned on several occasions, attracting thousands of visitors and prompting a formal diocesan investigation. Witnesses described a floral fragrance, while laboratory tests revealed that the mysterious liquid was scented olive oil. Investigators examined the hollow statue and contacted its manufacturer but found no obvious internal source. When the Madonna reportedly wept again months later, the mystery attracted renewed attention.
Additional Notes
On Pentecost Sunday, May 20, 2018, parishioners at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Hobbs, New Mexico, noticed an unusual sight during the noon Mass. A large bronze statue of the Virgin Mary appeared to have liquid running from its eyes. After the service, worshippers approached the figure and discovered what they described as tears on its face. According to eyewitness Laura Cisneros, an oily substance had also collected on the floor beneath the statue. She reported that after someone wiped away the liquid, more appeared. Several witnesses described a sweet, floral fragrance resembling roses. The phenomenon reportedly occurred again on May 21 and June 9. News spread rapidly, attracting visitors from across the United States and beyond. The parish priest, Father José Segura, contacted the Diocese of Las Cruces, which opened a formal investigation. Bishop Oscar Cantú instructed diocesan officials to interview witnesses, examine the statue and collect samples of the liquid. Chemical testing using two different analytical methods identified the substance as olive oil mixed with fragrance, similar in composition to scented oils used in Catholic religious ceremonies. The investigators also inspected the statue's hollow bronze interior. According to the bishop, they found nothing unusual apart from cobwebs. The Mexican manufacturer explained that the statue had been produced using a casting process involving wax, but the investigation did not identify an internal mechanism responsible for the liquid. On September 1, 2018, the statue reportedly wept for a fourth time. Local witnesses described discovering fresh liquid on its face after more than three months without a reported episode. The diocese distinguished between identifying the substance and explaining its appearance. Although the liquid's composition was established, the investigation had not demonstrated how it reached the statue's eyes. Possible natural causes and deliberate human intervention remained considerations. In October 2019, the Diocese of Las Cruces publicly confirmed that its investigation was still ongoing and warned against circulating claims that the phenomenon had already been authenticated as miraculous. The case remains an intriguing example of a modern alleged religious phenomenon: witnessed by parishioners, documented on video, examined by church investigators and partially explained through laboratory analysis, yet without a publicly established cause for the reported appearance of the liquid.
The Location Today
The reported phenomenon occurred at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Hobbs, New Mexico. The church remains an active parish and is accessible to visitors during scheduled services and other designated times. Visitors wishing to see the bronze statue should contact the parish to confirm its current display location and accessibility.
- Environment
- Church
- Time of Day
- Various times
- Evidence Level
- Investigated Case
- Visiting the Location
- Free Access, Limited
- Ownership of the Location
- Private