Virgin Mary of the JFK Expressway
[Photo essay]
Pareidolia is a type of illusion or misperception involving a vague or obscure
stimulus being perceived as something clear and distinct. For example, in the
discolorations of a burnt tortilla one sees the face of Jesus Christ. Or one
sees the image of Mother Teresa or Ronald Reagan in a cinnamon bun or a man
in the moon.
In April 2005 thousands of believers form Chicago and the surrounding areas
made their way to see an image of the Virgin Mary under the John F. Kennedy
Expressway on Fullerton Ave. As rumors spread, people arrived with flowers,
candles, crosses, photographs of loved ones and sick children to witness the
water stain on a wall that resembled the Virgin Mary.
