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Paraguayans Don Feathered Suits in Homage to Saint

Associated Press

   EMBOSCADA, PARAGUAY - Hundreds of Catholic parishioners in Paraguay
   donned bird-like costumes and paraded down the streets this week to
   honor a 16th-century saint said to possess miraculous powers.
   The celebration in the municipality of Emboscada, some 45 kilometers
   (25 miles) northeast of the capital of Asuncion, paid tribute to St.
   Francis Solano, who was born in Spain in 1549 and died in Peru in 1610.
   He was canonized in 1726.

   Wearing a suit made from the feathers of six hens, Maria Estela Pereira
   said she had come to show thanks.

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