In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Loretto Chapel was built in the late 19th century.
The nuns of the chapel realized too late that there was no staircase to reach the choir loft. Carpenters told them that the only way would be to use a ladder, since the space was too small for a staircase.
The sisters prayed a novena to St. Joseph, patron saint of carpenters.
On the ninth day, a mysterious man appeared with a donkey and a toolbox.
He built a beautiful spiral staircase, rising in two full turns without any visible support or nails, using only wooden pegs.
When the job was done, the man disappeared without asking for payment.
Many believed it was St. Joseph himself who came to answer their prayers.
To this day, the staircase stands as an architectural marvel, called the “Miraculous Staircase of Loretto.”
