The Chicago shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag was destroyed when the interior of the historic St. Hedwig Church was burned recently, ABS-CBN North America News bureau reported.

Quoting police investigators, news correspondent Ron Tagala said what was left of the original Our Lady of Manaoag statue were charred pieces.

Nini Centeno, president of the Devotees of Our Lady of Manaoag said they were "so shocked to know that the church was burning." But the first thing that came to their minds, she said, was that "Our Lady of Manaoag will make miracles."

Three days later, she did create a "miracle:" the feast of Our Lady of Manaoag went on as scheduled. At the center of the celebration was a second image which was fortunately spared from the fire.

"It's just a great opportunity for people to come together and celebrate their faith," Rev. Marcelo de Jesumaria, mass celebrant at the feast said.

The original statue of the virgin was first brought to Chicago 17 years ago and since then, hundreds of pilgrims have come to the church every year to pray and to ask the virgin for favors and thank her for those they say she granted.

Sixty-year old Ofelia Bonifacio, a devotee of Our Lady of Manaoag who had been diagnosed with breast cancer last year, said she is in remission because of Our Lady of Manaoag. "Just pray to Our Lady of Manaoag and she will help you," Ofelia said.

Despite the fire, masses at the St. Hedwig Church will go on as usual although the masses have been moved to the auditorium at a nearby school.

Catechism classes, however, have had to be cancelled because of a lack of venue for the instructional sessions.