Lenten Parish Missions
Three Legionary Priests Preach Local Parish Missions


Lenten missions for spiritual renewal were offered at three parishes during the Lenten season by three of our priests. Fr. Jason Smith led meditations at St. Mary's, Greenwich, CT, on the beauty and meaning of Lent using artwork from Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel frescos. Fr. Michael Brisson's mission in Katonah, NY was titled "Freedom for Life" with each evening's talk preceded by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Fr. Shawn Aaron spoke on the theme "God's Plan for my Happiness" at Saints Peter and Paul in Mount Vernon, NY. Each mission included the opportunity for confession.

Inside The Passion of the Christ
Steve McEveety visits Our Lady of Thornwood

Steve McEveety, the award-winning producer of the movie The Passion of the Christ, offered a free presentation and showing of his film on April 16th at Our Lady of Thornwood Conference Center. The stories and insights he shared were an inspiration as we prepared for Holy Week. Fr. John Bartunek, LC, the best-selling author of Inside the Passion: An Insider's Look at the Passion of the Christ, provided spiritual support on the set of Mel Gibson's movie while preparing his behind-the-scene explanation of the film. Signed copies of Fr. Bartunek's book were available at the event.

Holy Week Mission
The Basilica of Saint Patrick's Old Cathedral

Our annual Holy Week mission in New York City was hosted once again by the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral near the "Little Italy" section of the city. Although it was often raining, passersby were invited to attend special Triduum services and the sacrament of reconciliation.  There was a procession of the Stations of the Cross (the Via Crucis) in English and Spanish, with missionaries dressed as Christ, the Roman soldiers, Veronica, the women of Jerusalem and Mary.  At other times, missionaries worked at a soup kitchen feeding the poor and on Good Friday evening, Br. Eric Wandrey, LC helped organize the missionaries to distribute food and toiletries to the homeless during the "Midnight Run." Seven Legionary priests and about 100 missionaries - Legionary seminarians, Consecrated women, some parents and many teen volunteers - participated in the various opportunities to share God's love.