Church: Virgin Mary image in tree 'not miracle' - KMSP-TV

Hundreds of people have been visiting a tree in West New York, N.J., because they say they see the image of the Virgin Mary carved into the bark.

However, the Archdiocese of Newark, which oversees parishes in northern New Jersey, said the occurrence is "not a miracle." 

A woman fist spied the small carving, measuring about 6 inches in length, on Tuesday. Now hundreds of people are coming by just to take a glimpse of the carving.

By nightfall on Tuesday, word began to spread and the faithful began to gather -- so much so police that had to put up barricades and station several officers there.

People here believe this carving resembles the Roman Catholic miracle known as Our Lady of Guadeloupe, a vision of the virgin that appeared in Mexico.

Many in the crowd told Fox 5 that they believe the carving also holds mystical powers.

However others say the carving looks painted on or is the result of a tree branch falling off.

But people here say if you want to see what they see, you simply have to believe.

In a statement to Fox 5, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Newark said: "What has happened to this tree appears to be a natural phenomenon, rather than a miracle. We would hope, though, that this occurrence would prompt people to begin to seek strengthen their faith and exercise what Jesus taught and still teaches every day through the Church."