'Virgin Mary' appears on tree? Image draws crowds in Chicago neighborhood

Suzette Gutierrez Cachila Saturday, June 11, 2016

The image of what people believe to be the Virgin Mary has appeared in South Deering, Chicago, and people have been flocking to the church to see it.

However, the image is not inside St. Kevin Church but outside, on a tree that stands behind the building. The image is white and looks like a 3-D representation of the mother of Christ, The Times reported.

Photo of Shrine to the Virgin Mary in Ocieka, Poland. 21 August 2008 | Wikimedia Commons/Marek

It has caused quite a stir in the community. Every day, more people are turning up at the church for a chance to see the mind boggling image on the tree.

Maria Tellez from South Deering, who recently learned about the image, is convinced it is the Virgin Mary.

"I believe it's her. She does appear in weird places," said Tellez, referring to the tree's location, which is near garbage cans, an alley and a railroad track, according to The Times.

Church members have cleaned the area around the tree and cut off some of its branches that cover the image.

Tellez said a woman had discovered the image about a year ago but told nobody about it. However, on June 3, as St. Kevin Church held a mass to celebrate its 135th anniversary, the woman told a parishioner about the tree and asked him if he wanted to take a look at it.

Some people began to go out to look at the image, and other members of the congregation who were baffled by the commotion stepped outside to see what was happening. Soon after, a crowd had gathered near the tree, fixated at the image.

Tellez believes it's some kind of "sign."

"With all the hate and malice going on in the world, she's here for a reason," she said.

In January, news broke out of another image seemingly of the Virgin Mary that was captured in a photograph in Georgia. The photo was taken by Father Fernando Molina-Restrepo of the Transfiguration Catholic Church on Dec.12, the day for the Catholic Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Catholic Online reported.

The image was seen on a church glass window. When it appeared, a scent of roses filled the air, according to the parishioners.