After the first phase of an investigation into the cause of statue of the blessed mother that has been weeping oil since May, a New Mexico bishop says they have found no natural cause to explain the phenomenon.

CNA/EWTN News is reporting on a statement made by Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces who says they have found no explanation for the weeping of a statue at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Hobbs, NM since May 20, the Solemnity of Pentecost.

“The first phase of the investigation is to determine if the phenomenon can be explained by natural causes. So far, we have not discerned natural causes for the statue’s emitting of liquid,” he said.

“If the cause of the phenomenon is supernatural, we must discern if it is from God or from the devil. I remind you that the Church believes in the existence of fallen angels, who at times try to trick us,” he added.

Parishioners first noticed the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe weeping during Mass on Pentecost. After Mass, they alerted the pastor, Father Jose “Pepe” Segura.

According to this account in the National Catholic Register, at first Father Pepe thought the statue had somehow gotten wet. People wiped the Virgin’s face twice and yet the tears still appeared. “That’s when I saw that she really was crying,” Father Pepe said.

Judy Ronquillo, the parish manager, said that the more people tried to wipe away the tears, the more she cried.

“We cried with her,” she said. “Her tears ran down her chest and there was a puddle on the floor.”

Thus far, the statue has wept three times – on the Solemnity of Pentecost, on the day after Pentecost which is the new Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, and against on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on June 9.

Reports say the substance found on the statue is a rose-scented oil.

When studied, investigators found nothing more than a few cobwebs inside the hollow statue and nothing that could be causing the phenomenon.

“The diocesan investigation process has also involved interviewing the Mexican manufacturer who created the statue,” CNA reports.

“According to Bishop Cantu, the owners said the production process involves high heat, which melts completely the wax molds around which the statues are formed, leaving no residue of wax that might have contributed to the phenomenon.”

However, Bishop Cantu is warning the faithful that the discernment process must continue.

“The discernment of whether it is a phenomenon from God or from the Evil One is a longer process. The devil can sometimes imitate holy things in order to confuse us. So, we must be prudent and vigilant.”

This discernment process will be based on the fruits of the phenomenon, such as those mentioned in the Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians. Is it producing charity, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, etc. in the hearts and souls of those who encounter it?

“No new information regarding our salvation is to be gained from private revelations. The messages of private revelations only reaffirm and highlight what Christ has already revealed in Scripture and Tradition,” Bishop Cantu reminded.

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