Missionary priests and brothers from the St. Joseph Monastery, located at the historic Edgewood property off Airport Road, are walking in prayer for the community this morning. Still, their peaceful procession has confused some passersby.

The Natchez Democrat newspaper reports that religious members, dressed in long, white robes, were mistaken by several individuals for members of the notorious Ku Klux Klan. This misunderstanding prompted a wave of calls, texts, and videos to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Travis Patten addressed the situation directly, assuring the public that the monks were not involved in any harmful activity. Patten said the people in white robes are monks who are praying for the community. “Please, do not hurt these people. They are praying for us all,” Patten told the Natchez newspaper.

The St. Joseph Monastery, which opened in 2022 on land owned by Hedy Boelte and her late husband, Jerry Boelte, is home to members of the International Institute of the Incarnate Word, a Catholic religious order. The monks dedicate their lives to prayer and devotion, and today, they were simply walking the roads to offer prayers for the well-being of the local community on this election day.

The incident has sparked concern, but Patten’s message has helped quell some of the anxiety in the area. Residents are encouraged to recognize the monks’ peaceful intentions and join in the spirit of prayer for the community.