Restitution in Brooklyn

Fortnight ago, when thieves broke into Brooklyn's Regina Pacis shrine and stole two diamond-studded crowns (TIME, June 9), Monsignor Angelo R. Cioffi made a public appeal. If the thieves would return his church's treasures, he would "forgive and forget." Through the week his parishioners, who had given their money and jewels for the crowns, prayed earnestly for their return.

This week, just before Sunday's 10 o'clock Mass, a special-delivery mailman brought a carefully wrapped package to Pastor Cioffi's rectory. The crowns were inside. There was no letter of explanation and contrition. Monsignor Cioffi needed none. He sped to the altar, told the news to his parishioners.

"It is a miracle," he said, "the greatest miracle I have ever seen."

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