Downers Grove, IL

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This story comes to us from station leader Rachel with our team in Joliet, IL:

We talked with a man volunteering here named Nat. He wanted two St. Benedict medals. He said he couldn’t go into a church because voices in his head won’t let him. I talked to him about the sacrament of reconciliation and gave him a pamphlet. He said he’s Christian but not baptized, so I gave him my OCIA flier and invited him to learn more. Then I asked him if we could pray for him right then. I opened and closed with the sign of the cross in Latin, and afterward he said “Wow!” Later, Nat came back and just wanted to hang out. He shared he struggled with reading and had been in special education and bullied as a kid. I gave him a FORMED card. But he was really excited to help hang up the Knights banner.

One of our evangelists, Tim, talked to a couple with their grandchildren (who look about First Communion age). The grandparents were excited to be able to take them to Mass for the first time today. They’re praying that their children will allow their grandchildren to be baptized. The kids were very sweet and were drawn to the rosaries immediately. Another of our evangelists, Ben, had some lengthy conversations with a few people, including one lapsed Catholic he encouraged to come back to Mass and to join OCIA. I followed up with an Examination of Conscience and encouraged this gentleman to get back to Sunday Mass. Ben also gave away many St. Benedict medals, explaining the power behind them. I also had a conversation with one lapsed Catholic, a salesman at another booth, encouraging him to come back to the Church. I told him it just takes one Confession to come back, and he seemed open to that.

On our last day, we had one comic left to give away of Bl. Carlo Acutis. A young boy came to the booth wearing a Minecraft shirt. He was interested in the illustrations in the comic. He and his parents were really excited about the rosaries and medals. A few minutes later, he returned and asked if he could exchange the Carlo comic for a “Why We’re Catholic” book by Trent Horn for his uncle who is Orthodox. Of course, I told him to take both and smiled. That was so touching to see from this young boy.

Praised be Jesus Christ!