Posted on 10/16/2001 10:09:15 PM PDT by topher
Engineer Sees a Reflection, Literally, From a Scene in 1531
ROME, JAN. 14, 2001 (ZENIT.org) .- Digital technology is giving new leads in understanding a phenomenon that continues to puzzle science: the mysterious eyes of the image of Virgin of Guadalupe.
The image, imprinted on the tilma of a 16th-century peasant, led millions of indigenous Indians in Mexico to convert to the Catholic faith. Last week in Rome, results of research into the famed image were discussed by engineer José Aste Tonsmann of the Mexican Center of Guadalupan Studies during a conference at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum.
For over 20 years, this graduate of environmental systems engineering of Cornell University has studied the image of the Virgin left on the rough maguey fiber fabric of Juan Diego’s tilma. What intrigued Tonsmann the most were the eyes of the Virgin.
Though the dimensions are microscopic, the iris and the pupils of the image’s eyes have imprinted on them a highly detailed picture of at least 13 people, Tonsmann said. The same people are present in both the left and right eyes, in different proportions, as would happen when human eyes reflect the objects before them.
Tonsmann says he believes the reflection transmitted by the eyes of the Virgin of Guadalupe is the scene on Dec. 9, 1531, during which Juan Diego showed his tilma, with the image, to Bishop Juan de Zumárraga and others present in the room.
In his research, Tonsmann used a digital process used by satellites and space probes in transmitting visual information.
He insists that the image "that has not been painted by human hand." As early as the 18th century, scientists showed that it was impossible to paint such an image in a fabric of that texture. The "ayate" fibers used by the Indians, in fact, deteriorated after 20 years. Yet, the image and the fabric it is imprinted on have lasted almost 470 years ago.
Tonsmann pointed out that Richard Kuhn, a Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, has found that the image did not have natural, animal or mineral colorings. Given that there were no synthetic colorings in 1531, the image is inexplicable.
In 1979, Americans Philip Callahan and Jody B. Smith studied the image with infrared rays and discovered to their surprise that there was no trace of paint and that the fabric had not been treated with any kind of technique.
"[How] it is possible to explain this image and its consistency in time without colors, on a fabric that has not been treated?" Tonsmann asked. "[How] is it possible that, despite the fact there is no paint, the colors maintain their luminosity and brilliance?"
Tonsmann, a Peruvian engineer, added, "Callahan and Smith showed how the image changes in color slightly according to the angle of viewing, a phenomenon that is known by the word iridescence, a technique that cannot be reproduced with human hands."
The scientist began his study in 1979. He magnified the iris of the Virgin’s eyes 2,500 times and, through mathematical and optical procedures, was able to identify all the people imprinted in the eyes.
The eyes reflect the witnesses of the Guadalupan miracle, the moment Juan Diego unfurled his tilma before the bishop, according to Tonsmann. In other words, the Virgin’s eyes have the reflection that would have been imprinted in the eyes of any person in her position.
In the eyes, Tonsmann believes, it is possible to discern a seated Indian, who is looking up to the heavens; the profile of a balding, elderly man with a white beard, much like the portrait of Bishop Zumárraga, painted by Miguel Cabrera, to depict the miracle; and a younger man, in all probability interpreter Juan González.
Also present, Tonsmann believes, is an Indian, likely Juan Diego, of striking features, with a beard and mustache, who unfolds his own tilma before the bishop; a woman of dark complexion, possibly a Negro slave who was in the bishop’s service; and a man with Spanish features who looks on pensively, stroking his beard with his hand.
In a word, the Virgin’s eyes bear a kind of instant picture of what occurred at the moment the image was unveiled in front of the bishop, Tonsmann says.
Moreover, in the center of the pupils, on a much more reduced scale, another scene can be perceived, independent of the first, the scientist contends. It is that of an Indian family made up of a woman, a man and several children. In the right eye, other people who are standing appear behind the woman.
Tonsmann ventured to express why he believes the Virgin’s eyes have a "hidden" message for modern times, when technology is able to discover it. "This could be the case of the picture of the family in the center of the Virgin’s eye," he says, "at a time when the family is under serious attack in our modern world."
ZE01011420
By "infinite images", I mean that images can be expanded as infinited as our "primitive science" allows (compared to what heaven can do, science is limited and lacks understanding, especially of such special images).
You've gotten flamed by some here - expect more before you do damage control ;)
I consider Mary to be my mother -- Jesus gave her to me on the cross ("Woman this is your son, and son this is your mother"). Anyone who is a member of her Son's church is one of her children, who she can defend -- not because she is divine, but the favor she has with God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus (all three persons of the Trinity). Show me a person in the Bible who an angel appears to and says "Hail to you, you are full of grace". And then the response of Mary that though she is the "Handmaid of the Lord", that "God has done great things for me".
God gives her angels and favors because of her position in heaven. Remember, the mother of the sons of Thunder, James and John, asked Jesus that they be allowed to sit at the right and left of Jesus in Heaven. Jesus responded that He does not have authority to say who will sit at His right or left hand -- only the Father can say that.
This clearly implies THAT THERE ARE POWERFUL POSITIONS in heaven. And by other scripture, it can be proven that Mary is very powerful not only when she was of this world but was to be very powerful in heaven.
That does not make her divine, but makes a person of heaven who the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit may grant favors for those on earth.
She is my mother as much as my other mother.
This is why Jesus NEVER SPOKE OF ABORTION. Having children was always valued in Jewish tradition. Rachel lamenting how barren she is, for example. And the rejoicing at the birth of children in the Old Testament.
Father Mitch Pacwa would be a good source if I could pull some favors with some Jesuits who know him.
Disgraceful. I have read some of your replys on other threads. Obviously, they have not made a very big impression on me as I don't recall which threads and what your positions were. However, with this comment of yours...well, suffice it to say that I am not impressed and hold your judgement in very low regard as most who view it do as well, IMHO.
I think an apology is in order and I think you should present it without delay.
Jesus said: "Only a good tree can produce good fruit and a bad tree, bad fruit."
Do you have the Chapter and verses for these two statements?
You're a nutcase. I have reams of files and notes to prove it.
Senator, use your Vulcan disruptor grip on him.
Now for the mind beam.
(and an "I didn't know about the Virgin of Guadalupe" bump)
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