Since its first appearance in 2005, the silhouette-like image, thought by some to resemble the Virgin Mary, has weathered numerous challenges beneath the Kennedy Expressway.
Once marred by a vandal’s graffiti that declared it a “Big Lie,” the image has drawn a mix of belief and skepticism.
While some dismiss it as mere coincidence, akin to a watermark, others view it as a significant religious symbol.
Efforts to obscure the image included the Illinois public works crews painting over it in brown, but their attempts were thwarted when two employees from a nearby car wash scrubbed the paint away, re-exposing the figure.
Over the years, graffiti has taken a toll on the image’s visibility, and environmental factors have further obscured its outlines.
The once vibrant makeshift shrine, adorned with candles, flowers, and prayer requests, has succumbed to neglect, now replaced by scattered garbage and rubble.
As construction projects loom, the Illinois Department of Transportation has gated off the site, declaring it inaccessible; however, officials assure that the repairs to the wall have not impacted the image itself.
Obdulia Delgado, the woman who first discovered the image, clings to her hope that it will endure, believing that it can still inspire future generations.
“We need her,” Delgado expresses, standing under the rumble of vehicular traffic overhead while nearby, unhoused individuals seek refuge.
In a world increasingly marked by chaos and crime, she finds solace in her faith and the presence of what she believes to be a guiding force.
Critics of the supposed holy image may scoff, but Delgado advocates for tolerance: “Let’s say you don’t believe, but those that do believe, let them believe. Be happy.”
Delgado’s personal journey intensified at the time she first encountered the image, as she faced significant life challenges, from her child’s health struggles to marital difficulties and impending culinary exams.
She fervently prayed to Mary for divine assistance, and while driving, she felt an overwhelming sensation that the Virgin Mary was indeed with her.
Through this experience, she claims to have found peace, attributing her newfound tranquility to her faith.
Over the years, her son has thrived; although her marriage ended, she has since found happiness in a new union.
Delgado has since transitioned from working in restaurants to becoming a bank teller.
Despite her ups and downs, she asserts that she is now at peace.
Continuing her connection to the shrine, she drives past that once-iconic spot multiple times a week, grateful whenever she sees pedestrians taking a moment to glance at the wall.
On a recent Sunday, the area surrounding the now-fenced image saw several unhoused individuals establishing temporary residence just beyond the locked gate, a reminder of the ongoing struggles within the community.
One woman in particular acknowledged the significance of the nearby image.
“It gives me strength,” she shared, explaining that she often offers her prayers directly to Mary in hopes of finding stability and safety on the streets.
Despite her own adversities, including a shoulder ailment, she feels a sense of relief whenever she stands in front of the wall.
Her message to those who would deface or renovate the image remains resolute: “Don’t mess with her.”
While to some, the contours of Mary may be fading, to others, the image embodies hope and continuity of faith amidst life’s challenges.
image source from：chicago
