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NATCHEZ — Missionary priests and brothers from the St. Joseph Monastery located at the Edgewood historic property off Airport Road are walking the road this morning and praying for our community on this election day.

Unfortunately, some passersby have mistaken the members of the religious order, who are wearing their long, white religious garments, to be members of the infamous Ku Klux Klan.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said his office has been flooded with calls, texts, and videos sent in claiming the Ku Klux Klan is marching on Airport Road.

“No, nothing could be further from the truth. These people are monks who are praying for our community. Please, do not hurt these people. They are praying for us all,” Patten said.

The monastery was opened in 2022 on property owned by Hedy Boelte and her husband, the late Jerry Boelte. It is home to members of the International Institute of the Incarnate Word, a Catholic religious order. Priests and brothers at the monastery spend their lives in prayer.

“I do not want anyone to mistake these people for anyone who means to do them harm. They are monks who are in prayer, praying for all of us. I have been out there myself this morning,” Patten said.