Santa Maria de las Flores

Santa Maria de las Flores is a church in Miami that was destroyed by a fire.

History
Santa Maria de las Flores is a Catholic church located in Miami, Florida that was devastated by a fire. Everything in the building was destroyed except for a painting of Madonna with the Baby Jesus, a painting that dated back to Spain in the early 1500's.

The parishioners were still reeling from their lost when they discovered the painting and declared it a miracle. Believing such, the church's priest called upon the local bishop for direction. When he arrived, the bishop immediately wanted to see the "miracle painting." The bishop saw opportunity in the painting as a focal point for the rebuilding of the church. The priest was more hesitant and showed his superior that inscribed on the back of the painting was the Words of Creation.

One of the parishioners was Gabriel Soto, who felt that Santa Maria de las Flores was a second home to him. He and his assistant Bridget were hired to have a fundraiser for the church so it cwould be rebuilt.

Trivia

 * Translated directly from Spanish, the name says "Saint Mary of the Flowers."