Faithful see Virgin Mary image in hospital window

[October 02, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- Hundreds of people are being drawn to a Catholic hospital in Springfield by what they say looks like an image of the Virgin Mary in a window. Sister Kathleen Sullivan, senior vice president at Mercy Medical Center, said the image in a vacant, second-story office was first noticed Tuesday morning.

As many as 300 people, some weeping, gathered outside the building to take photographs, pray, and say the rosary.

Sullivan said while the cause of the image was not immediately clear, she was humbled by the show of faith. A spokesman for the Springfield Diocese said it could take the church years to investigate.

Deirdre Gogel, who came to see the image, called it comforting at a time of turmoil for the nation.

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Information from: The Springfield Republican, http://www.masslive.com/news/

[Associated Press]

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