I can’t find the words to fully describe the feelings that the Easter Vigil awakened in me. I was honored and proud to have been at this most sacred Mass.

It is probably the most beautiful Mass I have ever attended. Many of the attendees live a distance away, but still came to celebrate Christ’s rising from the dead.

To see all our beloved friars, brothers and lay people on the altar celebrating the Risen Christ was incredibly moving and heartwarming.

Hearing John Donovan’s exquisite music and listening to our magnificent awe-inspiring choir brought tears of happiness and overwhelming joy.

Our church/shrine has been through many hardships these last few years, but the Holy Spirit walked with us through the storms and showed us His majesty. The fire brought us many miracles, the most important being that Father Mawn escaped unharmed. The fact that our beautiful church remained standing with only smoke and water damage shows the power of prayer and love.

We said goodbye to our dear Father Mawn and welcomed our beloved Friars.

The Holy Spirit gave us a rainbow at the end of the storm, and the beautiful Easter vigil inspired a spiritual awakening in me that I badly needed.

Thank-you to all our devoted and hard-working Friars for making this event the most inspirational, moving and emotional vigil that we all needed.

Alleluia! He is Risen!

— Connie Pickles