Did you know that the founder of the Francsican Friars of the Atonement, Servant of God Fr. Paul Wattson, SA, was originally an Episcopal priest? In 1898, Fr. Paul and Episcopal sister Lurana White founded the Society of the Atonement. They took vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity at Graymoor and devoted themselves to promoting Christian unity.
On October 30, 1909, Fr. Paul, Mother Lurana and the entire Society of the Atonement were received into the Catholic Church. Since then, we have celebrated October 30 as Reception Day.
This year’s Reception Day drew Brothers, Sisters, and laypeople to the Holy Mountain for Mass and fellowship. The elder Friars and Sisters shared stories of their ministry from years long gone, inspiring our younger members to carry the torch of Fr. Paul and Mother Luana into the next several decades.
We thank God for 116 years of blessings!