* January 21 – Our Lady of Altagracia (Dominican Republic, Central America, 1650)  * A stranger took a painting of Our Lady of High Grace out of his bag --- An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association January 21 – Our Lady of Altagracia (Dominican Republic, Central America, 1650)  A stranger took a painting of Our Lady of High Grace out of his bag Our Lady of High Grace is located in Higuey, Dominican Republic, 180 km from Santo Domingo. The shrine is also called Our Lady of La Nina, after the name of a young girl whose piety is behind the shrine of Higuey. Here is the story: A Spanish colonist used to go to the city of Ozama regularly to do his errands. One day, his daughter Nina, aged 14, asked him to bring back an image of Our Lady of High Grace. The father returned without having found it. He stopped at an inn, where he shared his disappointment with an old friend. At one point in their conversation, a stranger intervened and took out of his bag a painting of Our Lady of High Grace depicting the Virgin praying before the Child Jesus with Saint Joseph standing behind her! Full of joy, the girl’s father asked to buy it, but the stranger let him have it for free. The next morning, the mysterious person had left the inn. On his way home, Nina came to meet him. It was January 21st. Now a basilica stands on the spot where the father and daughter met in Higuey. The official devotion began on January 21, 1569, the anniversary date of the event. www.mariedenazareth.com www.mariedenazareth.com Let’s pray together  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.