Windsor, Ontario weeping statue

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In 2010 Windsor, Ontario reported miracles centered on a Virgin Mary statue owned by Fadia Ibrahim, a Lebanese-born Orthodox Christian who moved to Canada in 1990. She said the Virgin Mary spoke to her, telling people to return to church. Ibrahim also claimed she could secrete oil from her hands and that the statue was weeping oil.

In July she placed the statue on a glass-enclosed pedestal in her front yard. Soon thousands of people visited to pray, seek healing, or witness the miracle. Some visitors claimed cures after praying at the shrine, and people even collected the tears with cotton swabs.

Neighbors complained about noise and traffic, and city officials said the shrine violated building codes and needed a permit. By November Ibrahim moved the statue inside St. Charbel Maronite Catholic Church. The weeping supposedly continued, but interest faded after the statue was removed from the yard.

Background: Ibrahim was born in 1962 and moved from Lebanon to Canada in 1990. She lived in Windsor with her family and attended St. Ignatius of Antioch Church. She says Mary first appeared to her in 2009, marking her leg and delivering messages to strengthen faith and return to church. She described Mary as kind, smiling, and about 49 or 50 years old.

The shrine drew visitors from Catholic and Orthodox communities, but officials did not promote it. Catholic officials said it was not their jurisdiction, while the Orthodox Diocese said the claims were being investigated. Neighbors complained about late-night visits, and a petition against the shrine was given to the city. Ibrahim eventually agreed to move the statue to the church, saying the Virgin Mary wanted people to go back to church.

After the move, some worshippers continued to report the statue weeping, but overall attention declined.