PRAY WITH US
“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving , make your requests known to God.” – Philippians 4:6
“This Society is composed of mission priests and lay brothers living in community under vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and devoting their whole time to prayer and missionary labor … and the preaching of the Catholic Faith.” — Fr. Paul Wattson, SA Founder, Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, July 1899
The Friars of the Atonement Ministry of Prayer began over a century ago with the fervent prayers of our Founders, Servant of God Father Paul Wattson and Mother Lurana White, on behalf of Christian Unity,as well as their devout efforts toward fulfilling the prayer of Jesus—“that all may be one. . . so the world may believe”.
Prayer was a pillar of Fr. Paul’s faith. In a sermon he once said, “He ever lives to make intercession for us, and His intercession is that God will bestow gifts upon us, great and glorious gifts….”
In 1912, upon learning of a gravely ill child, Fr. Paul asked his community to pray for the child, and the Perpetual Novena to St. Anthony began. Today, more than 100 years later, the Friars continue a strong and faithful prayer ministry, praying for intercession with and on behalf of others.
Through prayer, we express our joy and thanksgiving for God’s love. We also share our needs and concerns, seeking God’s assistance and intercession for help and healing for ourselves or others. We pray for clarity in our lives and the lives of others so that we may all discern God’s plans for us. We pray for “at-one- ment”— reconciliation within ourselves, with God and with each other. Prayer strengthens and blesses all of us.
The Graymoor Spiritual Union
A very special part of the Friars’ Ministry of Prayer is the Graymoor Spiritual Union which provides the combined power of prayer for healing, hope, joy, and comfort for friends and loved ones through individual Masses, spiritual greeting cards and perpetual healing and Mass cards.
We invite you to enroll a friend or loved one in this joyful prayer union today. For a grieving friend, a lonesome relative, or someone facing a critical life decision, your act of faith through the sending of Mass Cards can restore life and love. For newlyweds, a confirmation, or to celebrate a birth, the gift of prayer can bring health and happiness. And what better way to say the thank-you you’ve struggled so hard to say to a friend or generous neighbor?
Carry on the beautiful Catholic tradition of sending Mass Cards and having Masses for the repose of departed souls … give a keepsake booklet full of words of comfort and courage … or choose one of the special enrollments shown below.
Whatever you choose, be assured that your enrollment gift is a symbol of your love that will be treasured forever, and brings you great spiritual blessings in return.
JOIN THE FRIARS’ IN PRAYER
The Friars invite you to pray with us, to join our special novenas and Masses and to send us your intentions so we may pray for them as thousands have done since our community began on the Holy Mountain of Graymoor.
SPECIAL DEVOTIONS TO ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA
The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement have always turned to St. Anthony of Padua in times of need. Fr. Paul Wattson, the founder of our religious community, often called upon fellow Franciscan, St. Anthony and lovingly referred to him as our “big brother”.
The Friars of the Atonement celebrate a Perpetual Novena to St. Anthony each evening, a special monthly novena through the St. Anthony Union as well as other novenas seeking his intercession.
OTHER DEVOTIONS, NOVENAS & MASSES
Throughout the year, the Friars celebrate religious holidays, saints’ feast days and other special devotions with novenas and Masses. In addition, the Friars offer a selection of prayer cards, religious gifts and a special “audio prayer” feature – Pray with Fr. Bob.
