SAN JOSE, Calif. — An 86-year-old California man said the Virgin Mary may have had something to do with his $696,000 California Lottery payout.
Daniel Mendez of San Jose told California Lottery officials he has been watering the flowers his wife planted around the Virgin Mary statue at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church "every four or five days" since last year, and he always follows up the tradition by purchasing $4 worth of lottery scratch-off tickets.
Mendez's routine paid off recently when one of his two Set for Life Scratchers turned out to be a winner for the top prize of $1.2 million.
Mendez, who opted for the $696,000 lump sum option, said the Virgin Mary might have had a hand in his win, but he made it a point not to ask her for help in the lottery.
"I don't ask the Virgin to pay me with [lottery] money. I ask that she pays me with taking care of my grandkids," Mendez esaid. "That's more valuable than money to me — but I really do need a new roof on my house!"
Mendez said he also hopes to spend some of his windfall on landscaping for the church.
Lottery officials said the San Jose CVS Pharmacy location where Mendez bought his ticket was awarded a $6,000 commission for the sale.
I really don't think the virgin Mary helped him. The meek shall inherit the earth comes to mind.
I have a Blessed lady of Lourdes in my flower garden. Saint Mary can intercede and help those who ask.
I like this Catholic news story.
So did he win because his an old codger, or because he watered the flowers surrounding the Virgin?
Because of the flowers and the loving care of them.
l know of some hard- shelled Catholics who never miss a mass, have visited the Vatican, watered flowers and won Nuttin. But if it makes him feel good, so be it.
They may be only going through the motions. It does not make them a good person automatically.
Congratulations to them. I hope they continue on with their lives.
Mother Mary comes to me speaking words of wisdom, Let it be...
and in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
The Beatles.
Congrats to the Lucky Guy.
A few of the stores around here all Mexican prayer candles.
One is even a lottery prayer candle.
Daniel Mendez is one among millions of Catholics playing the lottery. He is a lucky one.
First of all....congrats on his win
The man may be a very religious person and possibly prayed to the statue, but the most important thing he did was buy the ticket!
Winners always think it was something they did to win. It just happens. Someone would have purchased that ticket. It just happened to be him.
Ey positivity,good vibes, and faith tied along with action goes along way