Hillary asks, "Who painted this."

The Secretary of State made an unscheduled visit to Guadalupe.

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Catholic News Agency must have crashed covering this story, since I can't get in to read the coverage that everyone else seems to have picked up. As most Catholics probably know by now, on Thursday Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented flowers to the Virgin of Guadalupe on behalf of the American people, while the Madonna's image had been lowered for her to view. After a few moments of silence she asked, "Who painted this?" The Rector of the Basilica replied, "God!" I hope he explained what that means, although some have speculated Madame Secretary must have known the story from a prior visit several years ago. The report stated Mrs. Clinton also lit a votive light while at the shrine.

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I'm very impressed by the story, and most impressed by the Secretary's gesture; presenting flowers to the Madonna, looking at her face to face, and then lighting a candle - all clear evidence of prayer. People of faith ought to recognize that - people without faith can think what they like. (And Catholics who criticize Mrs. Clinton for her question should not be so damn smug. We ought not to be so quick to congratulate ourselves that the world hates us for being followers of Christ, sometimes they just hate us because we can be rather sanctimonious and arrogant about our faith.)

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Mrs. Clinton spoke with the Madonna... Our Lady, the Mother of God. The Blessed Virgin knows how to change hearts, even if it takes some time.