Big crowds are gone, but dozens of believers continue to come
By SUNITA VIJAYAN
The Salinas Californian
SOLEDAD - While the initial public frenzy has simmered down, more than two dozen people visited the Soledad tree Sunday that some say displays an image of the Virgin Mary on its trunk.
Under a lone street light on Ticino Street, the 30-year-old sycamore tree stood surrounded by hundreds of flickering religious candles, bouquets of flowers and pots of poinsettias.
Hanging from a branch were more than a dozen rosaries and more flowers.
David Perez of Salinas, who visited the tree Sunday, said he and his family decided to take their second look at it out of curiosity.
They could clearly see an image of the Virgin Mary shrouded by a veil, Perez said, and being able to observe the image firsthand brought on a feeling of contentment and security for his family.
"We feel we're protected by her," he said.
In early December, 14-year-old Deanna Jimenez, a freshman at Soledad High School, told her family a combination of light and shadow on the tree trunk appeared to create an image of Mary cradling the infant Jesus in her arms.
Irregularities in the bark give contour to what some see as the Virgin's arm and bowed head.
On Sunday, the Jimenez family said they preferred not to speak to a reporter because of the overwhelming attention they've received since word spread of the image and Deanna's role in spotting it.
The small but steady stream of quiet visitors to the tree hasn't inconvenienced Soledad authorities, police said.
While scores of people have visited the tree since the discovery was made, neighbors have reported no problems, said Soledad police Lt. Jaime Fernandez. Officers have removed barricades previously set up to block both ends of Ticino Street, Fernandez said.
The yards of a couple of nearby homes, however, are cordoned off to keep people from entering.
In December, Roman Catholic Church officials cautioned the public to refrain from calling the site a "miracle" but decided to hold off on an official investigation into the phenomenon.
Because Mary sightings are rare, a spokesman for the Diocese of Monterey said, they are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and the image must stand the test of time.
Kevin Drabinski, the spokesman, said last week that diocesan officials haven't given much attention to the image on the Soledad tree because of the organization's preoccupation with installing a new bishop.
"We continue to wait and plan to give the event more time," Drabinski said.
Maria Avalos of King City, who visited the site Sunday with her family, said their friends had informed them of the "miracle" and they came "to see if it was true."
Because of their Catholic background and faith, Avalos said, they sincerely believe the image is authentic.
"We think she's going to stay here," she said.
By SUNITA VIJAYAN
The Salinas Californian
SOLEDAD - While the initial public frenzy has simmered down, more than two dozen people visited the Soledad tree Sunday that some say displays an image of the Virgin Mary on its trunk.
Under a lone street light on Ticino Street, the 30-year-old sycamore tree stood surrounded by hundreds of flickering religious candles, bouquets of flowers and pots of poinsettias.
Hanging from a branch were more than a dozen rosaries and more flowers.
David Perez of Salinas, who visited the tree Sunday, said he and his family decided to take their second look at it out of curiosity.
They could clearly see an image of the Virgin Mary shrouded by a veil, Perez said, and being able to observe the image firsthand brought on a feeling of contentment and security for his family.
"We feel we're protected by her," he said.
In early December, 14-year-old Deanna Jimenez, a freshman at Soledad High School, told her family a combination of light and shadow on the tree trunk appeared to create an image of Mary cradling the infant Jesus in her arms.
Irregularities in the bark give contour to what some see as the Virgin's arm and bowed head.
On Sunday, the Jimenez family said they preferred not to speak to a reporter because of the overwhelming attention they've received since word spread of the image and Deanna's role in spotting it.
The small but steady stream of quiet visitors to the tree hasn't inconvenienced Soledad authorities, police said.
While scores of people have visited the tree since the discovery was made, neighbors have reported no problems, said Soledad police Lt. Jaime Fernandez. Officers have removed barricades previously set up to block both ends of Ticino Street, Fernandez said.
The yards of a couple of nearby homes, however, are cordoned off to keep people from entering.
In December, Roman Catholic Church officials cautioned the public to refrain from calling the site a "miracle" but decided to hold off on an official investigation into the phenomenon.
Because Mary sightings are rare, a spokesman for the Diocese of Monterey said, they are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and the image must stand the test of time.
Kevin Drabinski, the spokesman, said last week that diocesan officials haven't given much attention to the image on the Soledad tree because of the organization's preoccupation with installing a new bishop.
"We continue to wait and plan to give the event more time," Drabinski said.
Maria Avalos of King City, who visited the site Sunday with her family, said their friends had informed them of the "miracle" and they came "to see if it was true."
Because of their Catholic background and faith, Avalos said, they sincerely believe the image is authentic.
"We think she's going to stay here," she said.
You have more than you know. But I see it