Do you believe in miracles, p.t 2 by Lawrence S Perry, B.S., M.Div

Do You Believe in Miracles (pt 2)

Another Miracle

Have you ever heard of the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, NM? It is known worldwide for its spiral staircase. How it was constructed, however, remains a mystery. The staircase was built to allow access to the choir loft. The chapel was operated by seven nuns who prayed for a carpenter who could build the staircase and complete the building project. There was one problem, how to build in such a small space.  

On the 9th day of their prayer vigil, a stranger arrived at the church and informed the nuns he was looking for work and could fulfill their request on one condition. He had to work alone, and no one was to be present while he was working.

What this carpenter built still baffles experts to this day. He built a spiral staircase using no nails nor glue. The structure does not have a central support beam, and the wood used was not common to the area. When the project was completed, the sisters wanted to throw a banquet in the carpenter's honor, but he was nowhere to be found.  He had just disappeared, not leaving a trace of who he was or where he was from. The sisters wondered if he was St. Joseph? 

The story of Loretto Chapel has been researched, studied, books have been written and movies made of this mystery and questions still remain.  The story is grounded in both truth and myth. What remains and stands before everyone who visits the chapel is that a unique, beautiful staircase exists that captures one's faith and imagination. What is true of Loretto Chapel, is also true of my experience of the bombing at Cokeville Elementary School.

Breakdown of a Miracle

When all of the students were packed into classroom 4, it was hot and the fumes from the bomb were making the students ill. So, some of the teachers asked if they could move the desks out into the hall. That was done, and as a result, the students could sit on the floor closer to the ground. In addition, the teachers were allowed to open the windows and doors to provide cross-ventilation, thereby blowing out the gas fumes. Furthermore, one of the teachers put a taped perimeter around the bomb so that the children would not get close to it, which kept the kids a number of feet from the device.  These actions were lifesaving! When the bomb was accidently discharged, it didn't blow out but up into the ceiling. Because the children were seated on the floor, many were saved from the blast.  

What cannot be explained, however, was the fact that the bomb was constructed in two parts. The upper part detonated, but the bottom portion did not! With regards to John M., the music teacher who was shot, the perpetrator was carrying two hand guns, a .22 cal. and a .357 cal. When David tried to stop John in the hallway, David pulled out the .22 cal. and shot John.  If he had pulled out the .357, there is no telling if John would be alive today. In addition, the doctor at the emergency room explained that when John was shot in the back, the bullet had an unexplained path. The bullet entered his back heading toward his spine. The bullet, for some unknown reason, went around his spine and lodged in his shoulder blade.

There was also one more intriguing story.  Some of the Mormon children reported that some people dressed in white were in the room.  They said they were angels.  

As one who believes in angels, I cannot dispute this claim. On the other hand, when I spoke to the teachers, none of them could confirm that story. In fact, all summer long I listened to their stories, and no one mentioned angelic beings present in the classroom. What we are left with is, that like the miracle at Loretto Chapel, this story is also grounded in fact and myth. What I do know was that there were lots of prayers being lifted up both within the classroom and outside of the building. The fact remains that not a child, teacher, or staff person was killed. And that was the true miracle!