SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) – Officials at a Roman Catholic hospital in Springfield have ordered an independent analysis of a window that some believe shows an image of the Virgin Mary.

Hundreds of people, some weeping, have come to the Mercy Medical Center to view and photograph the window since the image was first noticed on Tuesday.

It is in a vacant, second-story office Tuesday.

In a statement, Mercy said an engineer with expertise in the structure and properties of glass will visit the hospital.

Friday to analyze the physical status of the glass. A restoration professional who has worked with churches has also been called in.

The hospital, which is run by the Sisters of Providence Health System, says the crush of visitors has caused traffic and parking problems for patients and employees. People only wishing to see the window have been asked to park at a nearby church.