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The woman known as the "hugging saint" hugs and blesses Nilima Mehra, a producer with Global Television Network. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
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Followers wait in a seated line holding numbered tokens to be redeemed for personal blessings from spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center on Friday. The woman known as the "hugging saint" smiles as a steady stream of visitors approach her. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
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Volunteer Kerry Fitzpatrick of Seattle, Wash. walks around with a sign asking for help washing dishes as spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi, also known as "Amma" or the "Hugging Saint," hugs and blesses followers at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, Va., Friday, July 6, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
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Spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi, top center, also known as "Amma" or the "Hugging Saint," receives a follower with a hug and blessing at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, Va., Friday, July 6, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
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Remya Meixner, second from left, of Harrisburg, Pa., and her sister Sue Meixner, second from right, of Clearwater, Fla., are both embraced by spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi, center, also known as "Amma" or the "Hugging Saint," who receives her followers with a hug and blessing at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, Va., Friday, July 6, 2012. The spiritual leader is on a 10-city tour through North America with the help of volunteers helping her throughout her visit. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
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Kimberly Taylor of Charlottesville, Va., left, cries as she watches spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi [cq], right, also known as "Amma" or the "Hugging Saint", receive David Ernest Wachter [cq], second from right, with a hug and blessing at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, Va., Friday, July 6, 2012. The spiritual leader is on a ten city tour through North America with the help of volunteers helping her throughout her visit. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
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From left, Mary Ann Shutzer of Alexandria and Mary-Christine Bryant and her sister Phyllis Bryant of New York City pray during the closing Mass.
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Colorado Attorney General John W. Suthers is appealing a state appeals court ruling that the day-of-prayer proclamation is unconstitutional. (Associated Press)
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Quvenzhane Wallis was chosen from auditions of about 4,000 young girls in southern Louisiana schools and churches to play the lead role in "Beasts of the Southern Wild." (Associated Press)
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**FILE** Voter Salema Dahdah steps out the voting booth at Saint Monica Lanes in Philadelphia on Nov. 2, 2010. (Associated Press)
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Hindu spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi, also known as "Amma," has followers who believe that her hugs have healing properties. It is estimated that she has given more than 32 million hugs during her life. (Associated Press)
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**FILE** New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees celebrates Feb. 7, 2010, after the Saints' 31-17 win against the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV in Miami. (Associated Press)
