2008 Woodie Awards
Image of Virgin Mary Sighted in Chicago Overpass, Thousands Flock
The image of the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in the Kennedy Expressway underpass.
Nicole Fluet
Issue date: 4/29/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Three weeks ago, the normal Kennedy Expressway in Chicago, Illinois was nothing but ordinary. Today, however, it is considered to be the site of a miracle.
Since last week, believers and followers have flocked to the site in faith due to an image on the concrete of the underpass taking the shape of the Virgin Mary.
The image appears in a yellow and white stain on the underside of the expressway. The area surrounding the image has been turned into a shrine to the Virgin Mother almost overnight, with visitors and believers bringing many different flowers, paintings, and candles in order to pay their respects and pray solemnly in front of it.
The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that the stain is most likely from salt run-off from the overpass, however, they do not plan on doing anything to it at the moment. The area around the sight is heavily guarded by police since the area is so populated since the sighting first occurred.
Hundreds of believers are still coming to see the vision, bringing their offerings and gifts in order to pray to the Mother of Christ. Followers believe that the Virgin Mary appears in reference to suffering or change and offers a hopeful, listening ear to those in need of prayer and guidance.
This is not the first believed vision of the Virgin Mother in the United States, however. Within the last ten years, an image appeared on the side of a building in Clearwater, Florida off of the corner of U.S. 19 and Drew Street.
The sighting provoked pilgrimages from around the country, bringing almost a million people to the sight itself. Followers were still flocking to the area until around last year when the glass was broken in the middle of the night. It was been replaced, but the image did not reform.
Since last week, believers and followers have flocked to the site in faith due to an image on the concrete of the underpass taking the shape of the Virgin Mary.
The image appears in a yellow and white stain on the underside of the expressway. The area surrounding the image has been turned into a shrine to the Virgin Mother almost overnight, with visitors and believers bringing many different flowers, paintings, and candles in order to pay their respects and pray solemnly in front of it.
The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that the stain is most likely from salt run-off from the overpass, however, they do not plan on doing anything to it at the moment. The area around the sight is heavily guarded by police since the area is so populated since the sighting first occurred.
Hundreds of believers are still coming to see the vision, bringing their offerings and gifts in order to pray to the Mother of Christ. Followers believe that the Virgin Mary appears in reference to suffering or change and offers a hopeful, listening ear to those in need of prayer and guidance.
This is not the first believed vision of the Virgin Mother in the United States, however. Within the last ten years, an image appeared on the side of a building in Clearwater, Florida off of the corner of U.S. 19 and Drew Street.
The sighting provoked pilgrimages from around the country, bringing almost a million people to the sight itself. Followers were still flocking to the area until around last year when the glass was broken in the middle of the night. It was been replaced, but the image did not reform.