Beveridge cited Lourdes, France, where the Virgin Mary was said to have appeared. People have prayed at the shrine there and seen their prayers answered, including healing. That's a different story. Nevertheless, the crowds continue to trail through Calvary Cemetery. Parents are bringing their children to see the tree, many taking pictures, posing near the image or using video recorders.
Flowers adorn the base and someone has hung a rosary from the tree.
Robert Cookson, caretaker of the cemetery, said he has worked at the cemetery for 22 years. Estimating conservatively, he said about 2,000 people streamed through the cemetery Tuesday, and a similar number went through Wednesday. We found out about it seven or eight months ago, but we didn't spread the word around too much because we knew this was going to happen. I think it's going to create problems before it's over. A fence has been placed around the tree to provide some protection.