Fountain Valley, CA -- Celebrity chocolatier Martucci Angiano has been displaying a column of drippings that workers believe resembles the Virgin Mary.

Bodega Chocolates employees have been praying to the 2-inch-tall figure and placing rose petals and candles around it.

Angiano tells The Associated Press, "I was raised to believe in the Virgin Mary, but this still gives me the chills... Everyone should see this."

Cruz Jacinto, who works in the kitchen, was the first to see the column of melted chocolate while she was cleaning up drippings under a large vat of dark chocolate.

Jacinto says drippings usually harden into thin, flat strips. She froze when she saw the shape of this particular lump, which resembles the Virgin Mary on the prayer card she carries in her pocket.

She says, "When I come in, the first thing I do is look at the clock, but this time I didn't look at the clock. My eyes went directly to the chocolate... I thought, 'Am I the only one who can see this? I picked it up and I felt emotion just come over me.

She says, "For me, it was a sign."

The chocolate had been on display in the gourmet chocolate company's gift shop for most of the week. It is now being stored in a plastic case in the back room.

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