Our Lady of the Underpass

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Post-defacement, post-restoration photo of the stain in 2005 Virgin mary salt stain 1.jpg
Post-defacement, post-restoration photo of the stain in 2005

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]

Contents

Cultural influence

Tanya Saracho wrote a play about the event called Our Lady of the Underpass, [9] [10] [11] which was nominated for a Jeff Award. [12]

Media

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. Tribune, Chicago. "Our Lady of the Underpass". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  2. "Voice of Reason: The Viaduct Virgin". Live Science. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  3. "Virgin Mary on a Chicago underpass - Photos - Religious sightings". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  4. "Faithful See Image Of Virgin Mary" . Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  5. "'Virgin Mary' on US motorway wall". BBC News Online . 21 April 2005. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  6. "Salt runoff or the face of the Virgin Mary?". [NBC News]. Retrieved 2022-03-02.
  7. "Car wash employees restore Virgin Mary image on Chicago underpass". chronicle.augusta.com. Associated Press . Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  8. 1 2 "'Virgin Mary' Underpass Stain Defaced With Devil Graffiti". Fox News. 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  9. Fielding, Lisa (3 May 2013). "Play Recalls Story Of Our Lady Of The Underpass" . Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  10. Molzahn, Laura; Williams, Albert (5 March 2009). "The Human Stain/After the Terror". Chicago Reader . Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  11. Vire, Kris (June 15, 2010). "Playwright Tanya Saracho". Time Out . Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  12. 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.

41°55′31″N87°40′58″W / 41.92518°N 87.68278°W / 41.92518; -87.68278