Divine Encounter

UNEXPECTED VISIT CONNECT SISTERS WITH ‘MODERN-DAY DISCIPLES’

On the evening of July 7, 2026, Sisters Rosemarie Bartnicki and Pat Brennan received an unexpected knock upon their door at St. Ignatius Loyola Convent in Reading, Pa. With it came “an awesome and truly spiritual experience.”

Outside stood three visitors — Ana (23), Ariana (35) and Evelyn (40s) — who introduced themselves as sisters of the Neocatechumenal Way, an adult Catholic formation program that emphasizes humility, simplicity and praise. They were in the midst of a week-long journey — on foot, without phones or funds, and sleeping outdoors — to spread the word of God and giving witness with their lives.

In this Jubilee Year of Francis, the group had accepted Pope Leo’s invitation to emulate the patron saint by reaching those in need, bringing home to the suffering, and trusting in God’s providence.

Sisters Rosemarie and Pat listened to the travelers’ story of why and how they showed up on the convent doorstep at 6:30 p.m., after walking about 10 miles from the other side of Reading that day. Each carried only a small knapsack with a single change of clothes and a plastic bag to hold whatever food they’d received along the way (mostly bread and rolls).

“We were privileged to give them a hot supper, shower, washer and dryer, and beds,” Sister Rosemarie says. “This was a truly spiritual occasion for us.”  

After prayer, Mass and breakfast the next morning, the Sisters’ new-found friends left to walk to St. John Baptist de la Salle Church in Shillington, Pa., willing to accept whatever God sent them that day. Sisters Rosemarie and Pat remain in awe at the brief but powerful encounter.

“How does one explain the experience of meeting present-day disciples, spending a week of their lives literally walking to spreading the Good News and accepting whatever comes their way?” ponders Sister Rosemarie. “There was presence of serenity in each that is difficult to describe and is still a part of our conversations.”