# Getting Closer to Jesus – Day Five of the Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
*2016-07-11*

> Bill reflects on why large crowds gather for other religious events, prays for a renewed, fire‑filled commitment among Catholics, and leads the Day Five prayers of the novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

## Why Do Some Gather in Thousands?

I work part‑time at the box office of the BBT Center in Sunrise, Florida. Last Friday a convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses filled the building with more than 14,000 people. They arrived in suits and dresses, polite and eager to hear the message. It made me wonder: how can we, as Catholics, draw people to God with the same fervor? I’ve seen smaller Catholic conferences attract only a few hundred, and I can’t help but ask what they are doing differently.

## Looking at Our Own Efforts

In my parish, Bishop Thomas V. Wenski has tried various events, even after Pope Francis visited Washington. Attendance has been modest, and I often feel we are lukewarm in our witness. I’m not suggesting we copy every tactic, but we need to ask the Holy Spirit to ignite a genuine desire for Christ in our hearts and in our community.

## A Modern Distraction

My son recently got hooked on the game Pokémon Go, and I even found a church listed as a PokéStop. It struck me that even a Catholic parish can become a waypoint in a secular activity. This is a reminder that we must make our churches places where people encounter Christ, not just a backdrop for a game.

## Prayer for a Renewed Fire

Let us pray together for a revival of commitment among Catholics:

Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit upon our people. Ignite in us a fervent love for you, that we may abandon lukewarmness and become a blazing witness to the world. Strengthen our priests, lay leaders, and bishops, that they may lead with zeal. May we gather as one body, ready for your coming day.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

## Day Five of the Novena

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mother of fair love, through your goodness we, your children, are called to live in the spirit of Carmel. Help us to live in charity toward one another. May we be mindful of our call to minister to God’s people. O Mother, grant us the fire of the Holy Spirit, that we may be fully committed to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

## Feast of St. John Jones and St. John Wall

Today we also commemorate St. John Jones and St. John Wall, English martyrs of the 16th and 17th centuries who practiced their faith in secret. Their witness reminds us of the freedom we enjoy in the United States and calls us to a burning love for Christ.

*May the Holy Spirit set our hearts ablaze so that we, as Catholics, become a true gathering of believers, drawing others to Christ.*