Boise

Country: United States
State or province: Idaho

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Lucy Stamm
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Non-Verbal, but Loud and Clear - 2024-11-24

December 1, 2024

The Rosary speaks a message of peace. So, thank you again for your prayers for the Boise Catholic street evangelization effort. Two evangelists were available.

Two 40-something men stopped so one could get a Rosary. The other man was already wearing one around his neck. He and we wondered if he’d gotten it from us years ago. We described the devotion to the new man, and also gave our repeat visitor a copy of the Rosary pamphlet, encouraging him to use it to pray the Rosary he already had.

A man declined a Rosary as he walked past, then changed his mind and came back. He said he “needed to pray because [he was] in pain today.” When we offered to pray for him on the spot about his pain, he hesitated, declined our offer of prayer, and left with a Rosary. After he was out of earshot, though, we asked the Lord that when our visitor did pray for healing, that He would have mercy and grant his prayer, healing both body and soul.

A group of 4 or 5 non-Catholic Christian teens stopped. We explained how the Rosary is Christ-centered and helps one grow closer to Him. Then they each chose one.

A father and pre-teen daughter were passing by. The girl heard the key word, “free”, but the dad declined our offer of a Rosary. However, the girl must have pleaded her case, since they soon came back to the table so she could get a Rosary. It turns out that the dad is Catholic, but the girl’s mom is not. So, we described the devotion to her and encouraged her to pray with it and grow closer to Jesus Christ.

Two men in their late teens, eager for a Rosary, stopped. At first they were quiet, except to speak to each other, as we tried to figure out whether they were Christian. Suddenly, they finally heard what we were saying and said they were Catholic and loved praying the Rosary. Then, one man asked if we had a St. Michael the Archangel card, which we were able to give him. As they were walking away, he was holding the card up to show his friend and talking animatedly about it. We thank God for their faithful enthusiasm and pray for their perseverance in prayer.

Three Catholic adults, two women and a man, on electric scooters zoomed past then circled back, led by one of the women. She, the youngest woman, spoke English and translated for the other two. She was from out of state and here to visit family for Thanksgiving. She was surprised by what we were doing and kept asking why we were giving away Rosaries. As she came to understand our purpose, she exclaimed that she had never seen such a thing done where she was from. We told her she could be the first in her community to set up an SPSE table and spread the Good News. The other woman understood some English, but the man had very little. We set each of the three up with a Rosary and its pamphlet, in English (1) or Spanish (2). The two non-English speakers were from the local area. Pray that all three listen for and heed the Holy Spirit’s call to serve God, no matter their vocation.

As the evangelists were distracted and looking the other way a man came to the table unbidden, wanting a Rosary for his daughter. All he said was that he was not Catholic but he was married to one. He also told us there was a non-Christian religious group on the other side of the construction zone giving away popcorn which, he seemed to imply, was equivalent to what we were doing. Pray that his eyes are opened to the True, Substantial Food to be found in the Catholic Church and that his family becomes united in faith.

A man almost shrugged off our offer then turned to the table and chose a Rosary. He said he had been raised Catholic but had tried many other denominations/religions and knew all about “sacraments and ordinances” but was at the point where he trusted only his own judgment when it came to God. He did not stay to hear us offer him a way back to the Church. Pray that Our Lady’s humble faith will become his model so that he will say “may it be done to me according to Your word” instead of relying on his own easily deceived understanding.

During the session, we saw a slighter larger percentage than usual of Catholics, who encouraged their companion(s) to get a Rosary. God granted us beautiful calm sunshine and clear blue sky. Lots of people were out, so we quickly made up our previous week’s shortfall stemming from inclement weather. Altogether, the two evangelists gave away 30-35 Rosaries and its pamphlet, a Divine Mercy prayer card, and 1-2 St Michael prayer cards.

Please pray for us again today? Ask God to send people to us with hearts prepared to perceive their need for Our Savior Jesus Christ and His Holy Catholic Church, and that much good fruit for His Kingdom comes of today’s efforts.

Jesus Christ is truly the King of Peace, and Our Blessed Mother prays that we come to Him. So, thank you again for your prayers and other support for this apostolate. In turn, may God protect and greatly bless you and all those you love!

“They are happy, whose strength is in you, in whose hearts are the roads to Zion” (Ps 84:6).