Our Lady of the Underpass

Contents

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]

The It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode "The Gang Exploits a Miracle," released in 2007, parodies the story with a similar stain.

References

  1. 1."Our Lady of the Underpass". Chicago Tribune. April 19, 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  2. 2.[2.2]Nickell, Joe (May 16, 2005). "Voice of Reason: The Viaduct Virgin". Live Science. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  3. 3."Virgin Mary on a Chicago underpass - Photos - Religious sightings". New York Daily News. July 16, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  4. 4."Faithful See Image Of Virgin Mary". CBS News. Associated Press. April 20, 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  5. 5."'Virgin Mary' on US motorway wall". BBC News Online. April 21, 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  6. 6."Salt runoff or the face of the Virgin Mary?". NBC News. Associated Press. April 20, 2005. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  7. 7."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.
  8. 8.[8.2]"'Virgin Mary' Underpass Stain Defaced With Devil Graffiti". Fox News. January 23, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  9. 9.Zorn, Eric (April 10, 2006). "Our Lady of the Underpass, one year later". Change of Subject. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  10. 10.Fielding, Lisa (May 3, 2013). "Play Recalls Story Of 'Our Lady Of The Underpass'". CBS Chicago. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  11. 11.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.
  12. 12.Vire, Kris (June 15, 2010). "Playwright Tanya Saracho". Time Out. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  13. 13.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.
  14. 14."Chicago Theatres Shine in Outstanding Jeff Nominated Productions of 2008-2009 Season" (Press release). Chicago, Illinois: Jeff Awards. August 27, 2009.