“From the Archives” — Extremely Odd Occurrences

The Basilica of Saint Mary is open every day, all day and into the evening, so anyone may come in and pray. The open doors can at times lead to unusual things happening in the church. The following report appeared in the Alex- andria Gazette, September 12, 1877:

“A Crazy Devotee” — a strange guy (sic) with a long beard, sword and candles, and book stand. Taking off his shoes, he did theStations of the Cross on his knees, using the sword as a cane and holding the book in his other hand. Workmen building the newrectory were watching. He finished and left, but that evening, he returned and went through the same ritual—standing on his head!”

The man was asked to leave and was later determined to be the same person who had been astonishing worshipers with similarbehavior in Catholic churches in Washington, DC, and Baltimore. Too bad somebody didn’t have a con- versation with him and learn why he did this. Today, his performance likely would be captured on multiple cell phones and shared on social media!

Another unusual visitor to the church was described in the April 9, 1921, Alexandria Gazette: “Preaches for Living.” “The Prophet,” dressed in white with a long, flowing beard, was arrested in St.  Mary’s Church. He claimed to be a former carpenter who now made his living as an itinerant preacher and prophet, who had run for President on the American Independent Party. He claimed he had been called by the Holy Ghost to preach and wore long hair because it was the source of his strength. The man promised to leave Alexandria.” There’s no record of whether he kept that promise. — Kitty Guy, Parish Historian