St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Midtown, New York City.  Oh, blessed night!  Despite the blistering cold spell, hordes of tourists descended upon the Cathedral for a brief respite from the holiday chaos of Fifth Avenue.  Most, on the surface, seemed initially in “tourist mode”, making another stop on the NYC circuit that included the Rockefeller tree across the street, the Rockettes down the street, and the Saks’ windows on the street next door.  But upon entering this holy place, in its quiet and beautiful solemnity, most could not help but be drawn to something bigger, something transcendent.  And most were overjoyed to meet a New Yorker who greeted them with a smile and offered a gift of a rosary.  Their stories were endless.  Here’s just a few of them….

“Yes it Will”

Upon arriving at the Cathedral and seeking my assignment, I was asked by one of the missionaries to sit and speak with a young man named Irwin. I was told that he would like to go to confession but it had been a long time and he was very nervous. I said hello to Irwin and sat nearby in the pew where he was sitting. He told me that something was urging him to come into St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and he wasn’t sure why he was there. But when one of our missionaries greeted him and asked him if he would like to go to confession, he realized that maybe that was why he was there. He said to me that it had have been a long time, a very long time, since he had gone to confession, and he was unsure how to do it. I shared with him the guide to confession, and I also encouraged him to just think about things that have been on his heart or on his mind that perhaps he had wished he had done differently or had acted when he didn’t. We talked for a few more minutes, then I left him to do his examination of conscience. I moved on to a different station and about 45 minutes later I looked up and Irwin was standing in front of me. He had found me among the thousands of people in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral to let me know that he had finished his confession and that he was so happy. I said that he was glowing and I gave him a hug and told him it’s going to be a wonderful Christmas season. His response was “yes it will”!

BJ

December 16, 2025

“An Arrest is Made”

Hi Steve, first, I want to thank you and Evelyn for allowing me to be part of such a beautiful and meaningful evening. I had three encounters that really stood out, but the most powerful was with an NYPD officer I met in front of St. Anthony’s altar. After a brief conversation, I invited him to receive the sacrament of Confession. He was surprised that it could happen immediately and radioed his lieutenant to let him know he’d be offline for a few minutes. He entered the confessional but quickly came back out, explaining that he would only receive confession face-to-face with the priest. Fr. Francis then came out of the confessional and sat on the floor with him to hear his confession. It was an incredibly moving moment.

Evelyn was able to capture a photo of the encounter, which—if she feels it’s appropriate—would be wonderful to share. Overall, I truly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the night, and you can absolutely count Nicole and me in for the same mission next year. Merry Christmas! 🎄

Tony

December 16, 2025

“A seed was planted… “

I met a sweet young woman, her name was Lisette. I asked her if she was Catholic, she said “I used to be” This answer always intrigues  me and shows me that a door has just been opened for a conversation!  She was with a young man and as I began to talk with her he listened along. She said to me it’s a long story, but kept looking at the rosary beads in my hands. I said do you know the rosary. Her eyes got real big and with a big smile she said “yes of course,  and I know the Blessed Mother” I said would you like a pair of rosaries? She took a pair and said it’s been a long time but I remember the prayers! I encouraged her to go to our Blessed Mother in prayer she would help lead you to the answers you are looking for.  She took a pamphlet on how to make a good confession and said maybe I’ll see you another time! I said I believe I will see you again! A seed was planted!!!

Jeanine

December 16, 2025

“Straight to the Light”

Thank you so much for organizing such a beautiful mission tonight.
A few snapshots….

+ While offering glow-in-the-dark Rosaries to families, several different people throughout the night mentioned they were delighted to take one for their parents, whom they said prayed it at night to relax.

+ Meeting a young Catholic woman from central California on her first-ever visit to NYC and the Cathedral, who was excited to hear that confession was available.

+ Encountering four college guys who all accepted Rosaries, and mentioned the availability of confession as each was handed a Rosary.  “There’s confession?” one asked with surprise and joy, who was in line minutes later.

+ The three young Protestant men from Mississippi whom we assumed were in their late 20s, but ranged in age from 19 to 22 — the oldest of whom (a Baptist) had been researching transubstantiation and all of whom were Catholic-curious, who accepted Rosaries and “Pray the Rosary Daily” pamphlets and Miraculous Medals and spent time praying before the Blessed Sacrament in the Mary Chapel…and loved their conversation with Steve, which Karen found a master class to get to hear.

+ Meeting little Eric, who was all of 6 or 7, after giving him a glow-in-the-dark Rosary, and having him come back to ask for one for his sister, and then hearing from his dad how Eric was always talking about how much he loved Jesus and had brought him (dad) back to church after being away for a while. I said it sounded like St. Carlo Acutis’ story, and dad asked, “Who’s that?” and they both listened in awe to the stories of Eucharistic miracles and the website Carlo built as a teenager.

+ We spoke with two Catholic nurses who are devoted to the Rosary, who said they give them to their patients.  One told us that the most beautiful passings were their devout patients who “went straight to the light” — and she also recalled a harrowing passing by someone who had apparently dabbled in witchcraft.  She said instead of light, she saw a dark cloud come for the woman, and that “It was quite a battle” for her soul at the end….

Prayers of thanksgiving for you both 💞, and that all the souls at St. Patrick’s tonight continue to receive graces after having passed through the doors of this Jubilee site….

🙏 Karen & Andrew

December 16, 2025

“Gratia et Pax:  A Priest Comes Home”

Hi Stephen!

 Just a quick note to tell you how much I enjoyed our conversation at the Cathedral earlier today.  As we discussed, I graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School right there in St. Patrick’s way back in 19__ when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth.  I have very fond memories of both my graduation and especially of the Christmas Mass ….

But despite being baptized, confirmed, and educated as a Catholic, my theologically “schizophrenic” home (Catholic mom and Methodist dad) eventually led me to embrace the Anglo-Catholic wing of the Episcopal Church back when it was still a Christian denomination, and I was eventually ordained as a priest.  I am now affiliated with one of the Anglican denominations that have since broken away from Canterbury.  It’s a long story….

 I also humbly solicit your own prayers as I try to discern my own vocation and disappointments with the Anglican ministry.  I return home to ______  tomorrow morning but hope we can stay in touch.

 Gratia et Pax

December 16, 2025