Looking Back at the Feast of St. Anthony at Graymoor
The Feast of St. Anthony celebration at Graymoor—held from June 13–15—was a beautiful outpouring of faith, fellowship, and spiritual renewal. Pilgrims from near and far gathered on the Holy Mountain for a multi-day observance that reflected both the universality and intimacy of Catholic devotion. With Fr. Jim Gardiner, SA at the helm of planning and Franciscan hospitality, the weekend was a deeply prayerful and joy-filled experience.
A Jubilee Beginning
The celebration began a day early, on Thursday, June 12, with a profoundly moving Jubilee Mass, presided by Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo J. Colacicco. Held beneath open skies at the serene St. Anthony Shrine, every seat was taken as the faithful gathered in joyful numbers, filling the sacred space with prayerful anticipation. Bishop Colacicco’s presence was a heartfelt reminder of the Church’s broader embrace—an expression of unity that rooted our local celebration in the universal communion of saints.
A Trilingual Tribute on the Feast Day
Friday, June 13—the Feast Day of St. Anthony of Padua—offered a heartfelt expression of unity in diversity. The morning Trilingual Mass at the Our Lady of Atonement Chapel, celebrated by Fr. Jim Puglisi, SA in English, Italian, and Spanish, was a testament to the rich cultural tapestry of Graymoor’s pilgrims.
Later in the afternoon, the faithful gathered once more for a time of reverence with the Novena and Benediction—a gentle, prayerful close to a day marked by deep spiritual resonance.
A Weekend of Welcome
Saturday and Sunday continued the celebration with liturgies in English, Creole, French, Italian, and Spanish, made possible by Fr. Puglisi, Fr. Jean Ridley Julien (founder of the Haitian American Catholic Center in Stamford), Fr. Estaban Sanchez (Church of the Assumption) and Fr. Mike Petit-Homme (Church of St. Joseph and St. Bonifice). These multilingual Masses reflected the Friars’ mission to meet every soul where they are—embracing each person as a brother or sister in Christ. The weekend culminated on Sunday with a final Novena and Benediction, drawing pilgrims into a quiet, grace-filled goodbye as the echoes of the liturgies lingered in hearts and minds.
A Weekend of Presence and Blessing
Throughout the weekend, the Friars who reside at Graymoor were a visible and comforting presence—walking among the pilgrims, sharing warm greetings, offering prayers, and imparting blessings. Their quiet joy and openness reminded many why Graymoor is often called a spiritual home.
We were also blessed to have many of our tertiaries who were here on retreat. They stayed for the full celebration and offered their help to ensure everything ran smoothly—especially assisting at outdoor shop of Graymoor Book and Gift Center, where pilgrims found beautiful sacramentals and gifts to take home. Minister General Fr. Emil Tomaskovic, SA gently and prayerfully blessed religious items including rosaries, statues, medals, and prayer cards—one of the many visible signs of the grace that filled each day.
A Glow of Devotion
Each evening, the St. Anthony Candle Grotto glowed with hundreds of flickering lights—each flame representing a prayer, a hope, a moment of gratitude. Illuminated against the dark backdrop of trees and sky, the Grotto stood as a quiet, luminous testament to the faith of all who journeyed to the Holy Mountain (see photo below). It was, quite simply, breathtaking.
A Franciscan Reflection
As we look back on these grace-filled days, we are reminded of the gentle strength of St. Anthony and the abiding charism of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. In a world often marked by division and noise, this sacred gathering offered a refuge of peace and togetherness—a time to encounter Christ through prayer, hospitality, and one another.