Servant of God Father Paul Wattson, SA, expressed a great devotion to St. Anthony of Padua.
A fellow Franciscan, St. Anthony is cherished by the Society of the Atonement, as St. Anthony’s Shrine is a key landmark at Graymoor. The shrine was completed in 1960, honoring the 20th anniversary of Father Paul entering into Eternal Life. The shrine’s majestic statue of St. Anthony is among many places across the Holy Mountain where the patron saint of loss and recovery is venerated.
The Friars honor St. Anthony each June with a celebration at Graymoor, where thousands flock to for a day of pilgrimage and prayer. On Sunday, June 12, the Friars will hold the first large scale in-person celebration since 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Festivities include two celebrations of Mass, one of which is a worship service said in Creole. Confession hearings, prayers and a Benediction at St. Anthony’s Shrine will also take place.
“Seeing the devotion of the people to the Eucharist during Mass and Adoration and Benediction is the best part of this celebration,” said Deacon Tom Rich, TSA, the Friars Vocation Director and the Executive Director of the Holy Mountain Retreat Center. “Also, the fact that people from different nationalities, who speak different languages can all come together to celebrate in unity.”
The day will begin with the regularly scheduled 11 a.m. Mass celebrated by Father Dan Callahan, SA, at Our Lady of the Atonement Chapel. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will then be offered from 12:30 p.m. until 1:15 p.m. at Our Lady of the Atonement Chapel, with multiple confession stations available.
After, a 1:30 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Atonement Chapel in Creole. Immediately following, there will be a procession with the Blessed Sacrament to St. Anthony’s Shrine for prayers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
All those attending are invited to visit the shrines and chapels of Graymoor. The picnic tables near the ballfield also will be available for use.
There will be candles for sale near the Saint Anthony’s Grotto next to Our Lady of the Atonement Chapel, and water will also be sold.
Visitors are also encouraged to shop at the Graymoor Book and Gift Center, which will be open and will have a tent set up next to the information booth. The Book and Gift Center offers countless religious items for sale, including St. Anthony medals and statues, cards, crosses, rosaries and much more.
Friars will be on hand and available to offer blessings, and will be present to bless any religious items visitors might bring.
Join the Friars at Graymoor for a Day of Prayer and Pilgrimage in Honor of Saint Anthony of Padua
11 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of the Atonement Chapel with Father Dan Callahan, SA
12:30 p.m.: Sacrament of Reconciliation at Our Lady of the of the Atonement Chapel
1:30 p.m.: Creole Mass at Our Lady of the Atonement Chapel
Immediately following the Creole Mass, there will be a Procession with Blessed Sacrament to St. Anthony’s Shrine for prayers, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
While you’re at Graymoor, be sure to visit the Book and Gift Center, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Thrift Store, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Although I have been far away in California, I have always felt so close to Franciscan Friars of Atonement, especially in their LOVE of SAINT ANTHONY and SAINT JUDE and I thoroughly cherish Father Bob’s Reflections and all they teach me and the path of 13 Tuesdays With Saint Anthony which I dedicated some of my artwork to and from far away in front of the LOVELY statue of Saint Jude, the namesake of my local parish, I have PRAYED so many MIRACULOUSLY ANSWERED PRAYERS. Thank you for being here. I am so happy to see you celebrating openly again after the long years of covid and to know you are all well. THANK YOU SAINT ANTHONY, as I am now in Utah to where you accompanied me, encouraging me all the way, reminding me that there is no such thing as fear, that living in FAITH is the ONLY way and the MOST WONDERFUL way. I remember you in gratitude and, of course, FAITH always and I celebrate your FEAST DAY today honoring you with all my LOVE Always SAINT ANTHONY. I am lighting a votive light for myself and my two children with the amount of the 13 coins for each of us as my mother’s tradition taught me and to remember what you taught me about that number and those coins, your protection of me and the opening of my mind. I LOVE you SAINT ANTHONY!
I visited the church where St Anthony is buried and touched his tomb with his holy card. I was a moving experience. St Anthony pray for us.
Thank you for the celebration you will be having in honor of so good a friend and helper in my lifetime. St. Anthony is so precious to us. Please say a prayer for us. God bless you Father Bob and all the Friars. I so want to take part in the your celebration. St. Anthony showed me the way this morning.
Necklace with pendant my mom Corazon Llarenas from LA gaved me with the picture of St Anthony still kept & prayed its guiding prayers at the back..till this very time..thus a miracle called upon to reach here now to be blessfully know for the 20 year honoring of Father Paul Wattson this coming anniversary of June 12.
Humbly wishing on this date for ever ‘thanking’ this life given me with Saint Anthony being a part of..through you all in Graymoor..blesses my mom Cora through. Love ya all and more power as we move on
Thanks again from Steven Chichi
In Hawaii where there are no friars that i know of here.
Thank you holy Friars for sending the beaut, envelope and home blessing certificate with pictures of Jesus in the arms of St Anthony.