“From the Archives” — Evangelism, 1920

In the years following World War I, there was a great deal of anti-Catholic bigotry in the United States. The Ku Klux Klan held large rallies and marches in a number of cities. Catholic organizations actively worked to counter this prejudice and present the Catholic Church in a positive light.

In May, 1920, the Holy Name Society in Saint Mary parish organized a giant demonstration in Alexandria. Between 7,000 to 8,000 members from 25 parishes in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland marched in a solemn procession to Shooters Hill in Alexandria (now the site of the George Washington Memorial Masonic Temple), culminating in solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The procession was two miles long and was accompanied by seven bands.

A periodic look at the history of our Basilica of Saint Mary parish since its founding in 1795 Bishop Denis J. O’Connell of Richmond presided, assisted by Father Louis Smet, Saint Mary’s pastor, and Father Joseph D. Kelley, Saint Joseph’s pastor. An elaborately decorated altar had been erected on the hill, and an estimated 10,000 people in addition to the marchers attended. Bishop O’Connell spoke, praising Saint Mary Church for its long history and association with George Washington and Col. John Fitzgerald. Very Rev. James Macken, OP, of Connecticut delivered the sermon. He noted: “(T)his demonstration [was] making the name of Jesus known and better loved. The lesson Christ teaches… is love of country, but love of God above all.”

Following the Benediction, the heads of more than 100 organizations and their spiritual directors attended a banquet at Saint Mary’s Lyceum with Bishop O’Connell as guest of honor. Music was offered by Saint Rita’s orchestra and the Saint Mary’s Industrial School Band of Baltimore. The ladies of Saint Mary Church decorated and prepared an elaborate menu. The event was hailed as a great success.

(Drawn from an article from the Alexandria Gazette, May 10, 1920)