Faithful see Virgin Mary in hospital window

Hundreds flock to see image in vacant building; woman calls it a comfort

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Virgin Mary sighted in hospital window?
Oct. 1: Religious faithful and curious onlookers are gathering in the parking lot of a Massachusetts hospital for a look. WWLP's Julie Tremmel reports.

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updated 7:52 p.m. ET Oct. 1, 2008

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - 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.

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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.