A Letter from Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv.

Dear Companion of St. Anthony,

As we reach the mid-point of our Lenten journey, I feel inspired to share with you a quote from Pope Francis.  A number of years ago he said the following words during a talk he gave to priests of the nation of Colombia:

“Knowing Jesus is the best gift any person can receive; that we have encountered him is the best thing that has happened in our lives and making him known by our words and deeds is our joy.”

This is a message important for us all, it seems to me. I invite you to re-read that quote one more time. When you have time today, see how this message might assist your continued preparations for Holy Week and Easter. Like a seed that grows into a plant and a plant that blooms into a flower, we can imagine what the impact of this might be upon all the faithful of the Church. It is not uncommon, even for those of us who have been called to ministry or leadership in the Church, to get stopped in our tracks when we are invited to consider the quality of our personal relationship with Jesus.

The demands and pressures of our life can at times seem to require all our energy and attention. This can be true so much so, that we may wonder if knowing Jesus is even possible for us. The Pope’s teaching declares that it is possible and can (must?) be recognized as the very source of all that we say, do, and strive for as disciples of Jesus Christ.

All that we hope to offer here at our Shrine of St. Anthony and through our Companions ministry is motivated by our desire to keep encouraging you, through the intercession of St. Anthony, to embrace and to live this truth. I suggest to you that the quote above is a fitting way to describe the Franciscan life and ministry of our great Saint.  May he cheer us on in our efforts to be described in the same way.

We are grateful that you have decided to join us in this important mission.

Peace,

Friar Gary W. Johnson