Photograph by Tarmo Hannula
By Todd Guild
Hundreds of people have been flocking to a small house in downtown Watsonville, CA, to get a glimpse of what the owners say is a miracle.
Since the phenomenon was discovered two weeks ago, residents say visitors hoping to see the cross — which changes color and shape depending on the type of light behind it — have been coming around the clock.
On Thursday afternoon, about two dozen people were gathered in the garage, sitting on benches and chairs, silently praying and placing flowers on a table just under the window.
Parents carried their young children, while men stood near the back of the garage, their hats clenched in their hands.
“I live next door so I had to come and see for myself,” Jaime Saavedora said. “I’ve been seeing all these people come here. I’m a believer, so this is really important to me. I’m glad to see so many people come out for this. It’s really incredible; it’s a miracle.”
Sophia Marr of Aptos came to the apparition after she heard about the phenomenon at a church rosary group.
“The amazing thing is that this is happening during Holy Week,” she said. “I’m Roman Catholic, and to me this is beautiful.”
“I think it strengthens peoples’ faith when they see something that’s out of the ordinary,” she added.
At one point, a woman walked up to the window, leaned close and began to cry.
“I see Jesus’ face on the cross,” she said, before collapsing to the ground, where she was caught by her companions.
Esmerelda Segura, 13, said she took the three-hour drive from Sonoma with her family after hearing about the window from her aunt.
“I think it’s amazing,” she said. “At first I thought it was just a reflection from the light, but not anymore.”
