“Set On Fire”

When Jesus sent the disciples out to preach and heal, he sent them “two by two” (Lk 10:1). Today we have that same calling to go out and spread the Good News by virtue of our baptism, and we find people responding, intentionally and with enthusiasm, to that calling. This includes all of our lay evangelists setting up stations on the street, and also more recently, those who have accepted the call to be religious brothers with the St. Paul Society of Evangelists.

The following report comes from John Nguyen, a brother with the newly formed St. Paul Society of Evangelists:

“The brothers from the St. Paul Society of Evangelists attended “The Mission: Flint Summer Work Camp” during the week of July 22-27 at St. Mary Queen of Angels in Swartz Creek. There were over 100 youth and young adults from different parishes in the diocese of Lansing who were assigned to various community service projects, one group of which was assigned to do street evangelization. The brothers gave a training conference on Monday which was based on the Basic Evangelization Training days given by SPSE, but with the fun factor kicked up a notch for the teens. Topics included the importance of prayer, how to approach and engage others in conversation, how to hand out Miraculous Medals and Rosaries, how to pray with people for their intentions – especially for physical and spiritual healing, and how to give the Gospel message and encourage them to take the next step in their journey to God.

Eager to set the world on fire, the group of 15 high school students, several young adult leaders, and the three brothers set out after Mass on Tuesday morning to the Flint courthouse. Two were stationed at an SPSE table while the rest were locked and loaded with pockets full of medals and Rosaries. After a prayer they broke up into teams of 2’s and 3’s and were sent to evangelize on the main street and surrounding area. What happened next surprised us all.

Teams began to come back to the SPSE table to refill their hands and pockets with more Miraculous Medals, Rosaries, Crucifixes, cards, pamphlets, and whatever else they were inspired to give away. Reports of fruitful conversations, inspired prayers, and confidence among the students began to increase, especially those who were street evangelizing for the very first time. As the day passed, reports of people having personal encounters with Jesus increased. People were receiving spiritual healing while others were being healed completely of their physical pains. The Gospel seed was increasingly being sewn into hearts.

Returning back to base camp, marvelous testimonies were shared and the enthusiasm of the teens was growing in their hearts and on their shining faces. After being fed with dinner, edifying and funny skits, powerful music in praise of God, and encouraging talks, we were fed with the presence of God in powerful Eucharistic adoration and thanked Him for all the graces being given on the streets that day.”

Praise be Jesus Christ! Have you ever felt a deeper calling to do something “more?” Do you want to “go beyond Sunday” to be on fire as a “24/7 Catholic?” Are you attracted to the religious life? Maybe God is calling you to consider the St. Paul Society of Evangelists!