Our Lady of the Underpass
| Our Lady of the Underpass | |
|---|---|
Post-defacement, post-restoration photo of the stain, 2005 | |
| Location | Fullerton Avenue under the Kennedy Expressway, Chicago |
| Date | 2005 |
| Type | Efflorescence |
Our Lady of the Underpass[1] was a salt stain and purported appearance of the Virgin Mary[2][3] under the Kennedy Expressway along Fullerton Avenue in Chicago[4][5] that was noticed in 2005. The site became a pilgrimage site for local Catholics[6] as well as a general curiosity. Later, it became a target for various acts of vandalism.[7][8]
The Illinois Department of Transportation determined that the stain was likely formed by salt run-off.[8] Skeptic Joe Nickell, writing for the science news website Live Science, described it as "merely another simulacrum—a 'Rorschach Icon' in which a random pattern is 'recognized' by the mind's tendency, known as pareidolia, to interpret vague images as specific ones."[2] Cardinal George, the Archbishop of Chicago, described it as "a purely natural phenomenon" but also said, "God has many ways to stir up devotion in people's hearts. [...] If it's helpful in reminding people of the Virgin Mary's care for us and love for us, that's wonderful."[9]
A play about the event by Tanya Saracho, entitled Our Lady of the Underpass, was commissioned by the Goodman Theatre, where it received a reading in 2006.[10][11][12] It was nominated for a Jeff Award in 2009.[13][14]
See also
- Chicago rat hole – Rat-shaped hole in a Chicago sidewalk
References
- ^ "Our Lady of the Underpass". Chicago Tribune. April 19, 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ a b Nickell, Joe (May 16, 2005). "Voice of Reason: The Viaduct Virgin". Live Science. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ "Virgin Mary on a Chicago underpass - Photos - Religious sightings". New York Daily News. July 16, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ "Faithful See Image Of Virgin Mary". CBS News. Associated Press. April 20, 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ "'Virgin Mary' on US motorway wall". BBC News Online. April 21, 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ "Salt runoff or the face of the Virgin Mary?". NBC News. Associated Press. April 20, 2005. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- ^ "Car wash employees restore Virgin Mary image on Chicago underpass". chronicle.augusta.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ a b "'Virgin Mary' Underpass Stain Defaced With Devil Graffiti". Fox News. January 23, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ Zorn, Eric (April 10, 2006). "Our Lady of the Underpass, one year later". Change of Subject. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ Fielding, Lisa (May 3, 2013). "Play Recalls Story Of 'Our Lady Of The Underpass'". CBS Chicago. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ Molzahn, Laura; Williams, Albert (March 5, 2009). "The Human Stain/After the Terror". Chicago Reader. Archived from the original on August 10, 2010. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ Vire, Kris (June 15, 2010). "Playwright Tanya Saracho". Time Out. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
- ^ Kerry Reid (April 1, 2011). "Tanya Saracho catching the wheel: a Mexico-born play wright steps boldly from Teatro Luna into Chicago's larger scene". American Theatre. Retrieved December 21, 2018 – via The Free Library.
- ^ "Chicago Theatres Shine in Outstanding Jeff Nominated Productions of 2008-2009 Season" (Press release). Chicago, Illinois: Jeff Awards. August 27, 2009.