Ever since a group of school children noticed the statue of Mary at St. Mary Catholic Church to have a tear-stained cheek, people in Griffith, Indiana have been speculating on whether it was a water stain or a sign from God, UK MailOnline reported.
While some have warned people to not make any sweeping theories, the sight of the "weeping" sculpture has moved most people to tears.
Rev. Theodore Mens, the church pastor, is among the skeptic.
"There must be a natural explanation - the cold, the melting of the snow," he said. "Whenever we see something, we always look for a natural reason first."
Reta, an aide in the fourth-grade Monday night class, revealed the tear story to her mom, Majdolin Haddad, religious education secretary at St. Mary.
"Students in the class had left the church after confession, paused at the statue to pray and noticed a droplet of water clinging to the chin of Mary's face, appearing to originate from the right eye," UK MailOnline reported. "A photo taken Tuesday morning shows the droplet intact. It was gone by early afternoon. Mens saw the photo but was reluctant to read anything into it."
Mens, who has been at St. Mary Church for 21 years, said the statue is the site of the annual May crowning.
"I'm not going to say anything against a possible further sign of God's love for us through Mary," he said. "I just don't want to fall for anything. I am formed and shaped by the scriptures and the teachings of Jesus, not necessarily by a tear that somebody sees on a statue."
However, if more people are attracted to the presence of God through a statue, then it's wonderful, he said.
But Mens has no plans to further investigate the statue, and the Diocese of Gary has not issued a statement.
"The diocese has just found out about it and is not prepared to comment at this time," said Debbie Bosak, director of communications for the Diocese of Gary.
Hundreds of people have started visiting the statue after word about the miracle tear quickly spread on Tuesday, UK MailOnline reported.
