A legend holds that in connection with Saint Thomas’ witnessing of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Assumption, a knotted belt, or girdle, fell from the sky to him. Some believe that since it was precisely “Doubting Thomas” that couldn’t witness her death, our Blessed Mother chose him to witness her Assumption into heaven, leaving him a physical sign as proof of the occurrence. A belt claiming to be this girdle is preserved in Italy, and is often represented in medieval art.