Naju - The tears of the Virgin

Naju · Jeollanam-do · South Korea · 1985

The image that cries

El 30 June 1985Julia Kim, a Korean and Catholic housewife of deep faith, noted that the image of the Virgin Mary in her living room began to shed tears. The phenomenon continued for years. The tears were analyzed in the laboratory and turned out to be of human composition. In some cases, the image cried blood tears.

In 1992, Julia Kim reported that the image began to spill a perfumed oil. The oil was also analyzed and found no conventional chemical explanation. The Naju phenomena attracted pilgrims from all over the world, especially from Korea, Japan, the Philippines and the United States.

Las hostias milagrosas

Julia Kim reported that during some apparitions, the Virgin or Jesus Christ gave him a host in the mouth in a supernatural way. The bishop of the diocese, Bishop Giovanni Bulaitis (apostolic delegate of John Paul II), was present on one of these occasions in 1992 and certified the phenomenon. Cardinal Kim presided over one of the masses in Naju.

Position of the Church

The Diocese of Gwangju, on which Naju depends, has repeatedly investigated the phenomena. In 1998 and 2009 it issued negative statements on the apparitions, indicating that they cannot be considered of supernatural origin. The Korean Episcopal Conference adopted the same position.

Julia Kim and her followers continue private veneration in Naju. The case is among the most discussed in contemporary mariology.