July 25, 2002
What Rena Dillon saw this April in her Vienna home might unusual by most people. But for her, it was an image that she has found much comfort in and has grown accustomed to seeing.
For centuries people of religious faith have claimed to have seen images of Jesus Christ or of the Virgin Mary. In Rena Dillon’s case, she has seen both, as well as the Devil.
Dillon, a Catholic, said that in her home in Vienna she has seen two faces of Jesus appear on her bedroom ceiling every night since April. She also claims to see the face of the Virgin Mary on the wall in her living room. These apparitions have resulted in weekly prayer groups at her house to praise these images for allowing themselves to be seen.
Dillon believes that she sees these apparitions because "Jesus is using me as a messenger to spread this to the whole world, or to people who do not believe in Jesus Christ, that he exists."
The Catholic Church has an investigative process involving the local bishop and a committee of experts to verify the events. For this apparition to become officially approved, it might take several years, and there has never been one approved in the United States.
Whitney Shiner, a professor of philosophy and religion at George Mason University noted that apparitions are a somewhat tricky subject because, "We have no idea what Jesus looked like." He also added that this is not something that is uncommon, and that there is a long tradition of people of faith having visions.
THESE APPARITIONS in Dillon’s house were easily recognized by her however, because she claims to have seen them before. Her first apparition was in 1994 where she saw the Virgin Mary on a stairway of white clouds in the Mojave Desert. She estimates that she has seen Mary around five times since then and Jesus even more.
Dillon also claims to have seen the Devil, once when she lived in the Philippines and once in her home in Silver Spring, Maryland. However, she insists that, "You must never open yourself to the devil, open your heart to Jesus."
The Catholic Diocese of Arlington has declined to comment on the visions in Dillon’s home because local officials have yet to investigate. But, Dillon has asked the local bishop to come and bless her house. Whether or not the apparitions are deemed valid will depend on the Catholic Church. But until then, Dillon will be holding prayer groups at her house in Vienna at 1925 Byrd St. on Sundays at 6:30 p.m.