"As a brother would listen..."

by: friar Jason Warrer, OFM Conv.


After Shamokin, we headed to Ellicott City, to the Shrine of St. Anthony.  We helped out at the Festival of St. Anthony on June 8th by setting up and meeting with the pilgrims. Fr. Eric asked us to pray with the pilgrims who came.  One of the brothers and I had a prayer station inside the courtyard, and, during their afternoon breaks, people came and asked us to pray with them.  

For me it was moving; I was able to reconnect with the pilgrims by listening to their needs and pray with them.  Many of the pilgrims were crying, others felt at peace.  It was the Holy Spirit touching them because we both believe and trust in God who is so good and merciful, and we are open to the Holy Spirit.  At the end of the festival, we were tired: we prayed from noon to 4pm and it can be draining, because you give away to the people the energy that God gives us.  It was a good experience to be open to people and reconnect with them and just listen to them as a brother would listen to a sibling.  I enjoyed my time at the festival in talking and meeting with the pilgrims who came and sought Saint Anthony’s intercession.    

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