Right before Christmas we helped at an event called Night Fever in the St James Cathedral. It was an event that went from 9pm-midnight on a friday night where young adults invited people from the local area to come into the cathedral and light a candle. The candles were to be placed at the front of the altar while the Blessed Sacrament was exposed and people had the opportunity to pray at the altar, with someone, or with a priest. We also had a few people interceding for us through the night. Many people came into the church, but I want to share a story of a man who I got to meet personally and bring into the cathedral.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
The candles were to be placed at the front of the altar while the Blessed Sacrament was exposed and people had the opportunity to pray at the altar, with someone, or with a priest.
We had four teams go out to different corners near the cathedral to ask if people wanted to light a candle. I went with two other evangelists closest to the bars to get a chance to meet people. As soon as we walked up I saw a man sitting on the sidewalk with a lot of musical equipment surrounding him. He had a small speaker next to him that was playing music, so I decided to go up and talk with him. I introduced myself and began asking questions about the music he played and where he was from. His name was Adam and he was a traveling street musician in Florida. He carried two guitars, a speaker, water, food, and camping supplies all on one bike that he used to get around. I had a very nice conversation with him about music and my own experience playing guitar which he found very interesting. He invited me to play, but I told him that I wanted to invite him to an event that was held in my church only two blocks away. He smiled and said he would stop by but he didn’t want to hold me up from inviting others. I responded, saying that there were two more evangelists who were already doing that and I had the time to wait for him to pack his things and show him the way. He seemed very moved by my patience and he continued to deny that he was worth waiting for. I continued getting to know him and all three of us walked with him to the church.
One of the evangelists watched his bike with all his things and I brought him into the cathedral to fill up all his water bottles. I asked him if he grew up in any church and he told me his family was catholic but no one ever practiced. As soon as that was done I walked him inside as he held a candle and began telling him a bit about the cathedral and my daily prayer life both inside and outside the community. He was completely stunned at the beauty of the cathedral and removed his hat. His steps became slower the closer we walked to the front of the altar and I also briefly explained that we believed Jesus was in the Eucharist right there on the altar. I invited him to spend as much time as he wanted to pray as he placed his candle on the steps which he certainly did. When he got up I invited him to talk with a priest or have someone pray with him but he said he was alright. He had tears in his eyes and I walked him slowly out of the cathedral inviting him to come to any catholic church as we approach Christmas to spend some time in prayer. He told me how he did carpentry work and really admired the woodwork in the cathedral. He thanked me for the invitation and I said my goodbyes since he needed to use the restroom. I then told the other evangelist about the experience so that he could continue the conversation and I went back inside to pray for Adam.
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance
Luke 15:7
Since the other evangelist was a man I figured Adam would be more comfortable opening up and perhaps taking the invitation to heart. After awhile I went back out into the streets to meet more people. It had been another 40 minutes when I saw Adam leaving with his bike! It seems that he had a great conversation with a few of the young adults when I came back and left with a smile on his face.
I was able to meet a few more people even though they didn’t take the offer to come light a candle. Overall the event was very moving for the people who were welcomed into the church. Regardless of the number of people who came in that night, we rejoiced in the people we did reach because God never misses an opportunity to show his mercy.
