| Cat's Eyes of St. Joseph | |
|---|---|
 A newspaper in the Cat's Eyes | |
| Background | |
| Type | Phenomena |
| Continent | North America |
| Country | United States |
| One-Time? | No |
| Theories | · Mysterious lights · Ball lightning |
The Cat’s Eyes of St. Joseph was a intrigued residents and visitors in Jersey City, New Jersey, for over a century. These mysterious lights, which appear in the belfry of St. Joseph’s Church on Pavonia Avenue, have sparked curiosity and speculation since they were first reported in 1921.
Description[]
In July 1921, drawing a crowd of approximately 5,000 people eager to witness this unusual occurrence. Described as pale and phosphorescent with occasional bloody red streaks, these lights are shaped like half moons and have no identifiable source within or outside the church. Despite various investigations by church officials and local authorities—including attempts to find footprints using flour—no definitive explanation has been uncovered.
In May 1954, the lights reappeared following the death of Matthew Guarino, the church sexton, who had expressed his intention to investigate the lights shortly before his passing. This connection between the lights and significant events at the church has added an eerie layer to their lore.
Possible Explanations[]
There are several explanations as to what the phenomenon could be. Theories include:
- A Mysterious lights
- Ball lightning
Trivia[]
- In 1991, a police officer confirmed seeing them regularly during nighttime hours. This ongoing visibility suggests that while they may not be consistently present, they do appear sporadically enough to maintain public interest.
- Cat’s Eyes phenomenon has become part of local folklore in Jersey City, often featured in discussions about urban legends and unexplained occurrences throughout New Jersey. They serve as a reminder of how communities can create narratives around shared experiences that blend history with mystery.