Believers say it's a message from God.

Residents of a West Side neighborhood say an image of the Virgin Mary appeared in the bark of a tree to let them know she is watching over them, and word of the image is spreading quickly in the community.

"We saw La Virgen," James Cardenas said. He saw what he thinks is an image of the Virgen de Guadalupe appear to him while smoking a cigarette last night.

"He said as soon as he turned to the right, there was a white vision, like a light toward his face," Cardenas' friend, Sandra Mora, said.

Maria Hernandez says dozens of people have stopped by the tree, in the 1200 block of West Durango, to see what the claims are all about, and many people believe the image is authentic.

"It's a message. Something's about to happen, or a message, you know, that she's looking over us," Maria Hernandez said. "To me, it's a gift to be able to see her image."

"We bought a candle last night, and then we starting putting (up) pictures for her," Mora said.

Maria del Carmen Hernandez says the image was dripping with what appeared to be water, but when she touched it, it was more like an oily substance.

Cardenas' family says while there may be doubters, they invite everyone who is curious to come see for themselves.

"They're welcome to come and see it, you know, whenever they want to come and put candles or whatever," Mora said. "They're welcome."