Churchathon 2017: Br. Anthony’s Finale!

If you have followed me for a few years here in Rome you will know how much the Churchathon means to me. (If you don’t know what the Churchathon is, you’ll soon find out)

When I arrived to Rome 4 years ago it was the first responsibility given to me and I can honestly say the Church-A-Thon has been one of the highlights of my time in Rome.

Now, I am no longer in charge but with much nostalgia and gratitude for my time as a seminarian in Rome I will embark on my last Churchathon on  December 2, 2017!!!

For those that have been with me on the journey and know what the Churchathon is:

1. You can send me your prayer intentions here: afreeman@legionaries.org
2. You can support me and my seminary by clicking: HERE
3. Or click on the buttons below:

For those that still have no clue as to what a Churchathon is.

Or for those that want more awesomeness…read on…

So What is it?

• Its one of those ‘athons’ but instead of running 26.2 miles we visit 26 Churches of Rome (all on foot) praying for all of the intentions that our friends send us. Its also an opportunity to raise funds for our seminary since we are all full time students.

Start with the: ‘Why?’

• I do a Church-a-thon because its an event that synthesizes my life as a priest.
• In other words it’s a whole day that encompasses:
  • Interceding/Sacrificing on the behalf of others
  • Amazing fraternity
  • Physical exhaustion
  • Prayer
  • And a lot of fun
• The biggest part of this is by far the prayer intentions that we receive, when someone opens their heart to you and asks for your prayers because of their different situations and needs, I feel a huge motivation to get down on my knees and implore on behalf of these intentions. When I do the Churchathon its not just a few intentions either its pages and pages of intentions. Previously I have committed myself to pray for every single petition I received in every single Church I visit during the Church-A-Thon.

So What is it?

• Its one of those ‘athons’ but instead of running 26.2 miles we visit 26 Churches of Rome (all on foot) praying for all of the intentions that our friends send us. Its also an opportunity to raise funds for our seminary since we are all full time students.

 Why its amazing:

• Normally we start off the Churchathon with mass at an extremely significant altar like that of St. John Paul II!
• The fraternity and sharing is priceless. In the different churches we go visiting, the brothers take turns sharing their testimonies or a reflection on the Church-a-thons theme. Literally what I learn from my brothers probably equals that from my professors. (Shh!)
• The songs we sing in the different churches have the power of goosebumps!
• We do this only 2 weeks before 33 of our brothers will be ordained to the priesthood. Its our way of kicking off the preparation for the most anticipated event of our seminary! After the Church-a-thon there is a buzz around the house and in our prayers for those to be ordained!
• We get to visit 26 of the most beautiful Churches of Rome with Religious Relics and History that is uncompared with anything else!
• We finish the day with a gelato! Need I explain more?

Check out this Video I made!

What its like:

• Its like 26 pilgrimages intensified into 1 day!
• Its like a mobile retreat!
• Its like a mobile tail gate party!

Miracles that have happened:

• Without losing discretion, I can honestly say I am aware of two miracles that have happened as a result of the Church-A-Thon. There are moments when some brothers will share a special intention that they have or received from another and all together we entrust that intention to our Lord. This is powerful and again encapsulates the bond in the priesthood that we have and that is in service of the people of God.

About Sponsoring me:

• The part of needing sponsors is really simple. I don’t need a sponsor to do the Church-a-thon. I need a sponsor for my life as a seminarian and priest. We are 250 seminarians studying in Rome and since we are a missionary organization we don’t receive funds from parishes and thus rely on the help of donors both big and small.
• If you can help me now in the last year of my priestly formation, I greatly appreciate it! You can do that by clicking the button below.

 So if you want to participate with me:

1. Send me your prayer requests here: afreeman@legionaries.org
2. If you can sponsor me You may do that HERE. Thank you!
3. Pray for us seminarians especially my generation of third year brothers. (The Next Ordination Class!)
4. Follow along during the day on my social media!

THANK YOU!