Statue of Our Lady of Mercy catches fire during a procession (VIDEO)

A procession of the Virgin of Mercy, in the neighborhood of Llipata, in Ica, in Perù, was abruptly stopped when the statue of the Madonna was hit by a spark from the fireworks and it began to burn.

The episode took place on 24 September last, the day on which the Catholic Church celebrates the Our Lady of Mercy. The community enthusiastically participated in the celebration, carrying an image of the Virgin on a truck. The accident occurred towards the end of the route.

When the Virgin stopped in front of a church where fireworks were celebrating the event, a spark fell on the image's dress, causing the flames.

The faithful attempted to put it out until one of them approached with a bottle of water and was able to quench the fire. The statue, however, is safe.

The Virgin of Mercy appeared at different times to three important men to ask them to found her new religious order. Before a Saint Peter Nolasco, official founder of the order, then al King James I of Aragon and finally a Saint Raymond of Peñafort, Dominican friar confessor of the mercedary founder. The three met in Barcelona Cathedral and began work in 1218.

"Mercy" has two meanings: one refers to the mercy of a king in front of a servant and the other to freedom for the redemption of prisoners.

Source: ChurchPop.es.