Night Fire: Evangelizing through the beauty of the Eucharist
Written photographed for the St. Augustine Catholic, Bishop Estevez Special Edition, Fall 2022
More than 50 volunteers gathered outside of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine on Sept. 17 to invite visitors to the ancient city to come inside for Night Fire, a prayer event designed to evangelize non-Catholics with the beauty of the church and the Eucharist.
Father Mac Hill, parochial vicar for the Cathedral Basilica, said Night Fire is an opportunity to reach anyone and everyone in a way that is casual and encouraging.
“The Blessed Sacrament is exposed, meditative music is sung and street missionaries invite people passing by on St. George Street to come in, light a candle and say a prayer,” he said. “It’s as simple as that.”
Nearly 100 parishioners, mostly young adults and college students from the area, volunteered as street missionaries and prayer warriors. Once inside, the street missionary invites visitors to a table in front of the sanctuary to light a candle. With guidance from the Holy Spirit, they engaged visitors in a conversation hoping they will stay and pray longer in front of the Eucharist.
People pray before the Eucharist during Night Fire inside the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine on Sept. 17. (Victoria Diloné)
Father Mac Hill listens to a visitor talk about her experience with adoration on Sept. 17. (Victoria Diloné)
After the visitors leave, the prayer warriors remain, praying for each person coming in and the missionaries. The cathedral choir also volunteered their time and talents to sing a mix of Gregorian chants and Taize-style meditations, adding to the beauty of the evening.
Once outside, visitors were greeted by hospitality volunteers from the Knights of Columbus Council #611 for refreshments in the west courtyard. Again, following the promptings of the Holy Spirit, visitors were asked about their experiences in the church and to share their personal faith stories.
“The goal of Night Fire is very simple: to invite people to encounter the beauty of Christ and his church with the sacred music, our witness as joyful disciples, and of course, the Eucharist,” said Emily Gehret, who helped coordinate the event. “We hoped to especially draw in those who have little or negative faith-life experiences.”
The cathedral hosted similar events several years ago, making it an easy decision to relaunch Night Fire. Father Hill estimated that more than 700 votive candles were lit representing each visitor that came inside to pray.
Emily Gehret (left) lights a candle for a visitor, who said she would return to the cathedral for Mass the next day on Sept. 17. (Victoria Diloné)
Elena Schiavo (right) kneels with other prayer warriors before the Eucharist in adoration on Sept. 17. She said it was impactful to watch the visitors approaching the sanctuary realize something powerful was happening even if they didn’t recognize Jesus in the monstrance.
(Victoria Diloné)
One visitor, Kaley Eschenfelder, who referred to herself as a cradle Catholic, said the action of lighting a candle made her feel that her prayers were brought closer to God.
“It was nice to see the church open its doors to let anyone come in,” said Eschenfelder. “I know in our faith we’ve always been welcoming but, I felt like people didn’t always see it or really feel it.”
Morgan Petrella, another visitor, agreed with her, adding that giving non-Catholics the opportunity to encounter the devotional aspects of our faith, like eucharistic adoration, is important when evangelizing.
“I feel like people think that the Catholic faith is for members only, like you have to be a part of it to be able to participate,” said Petrella. “It’s nice to see people you’d probably think would never be in a Catholic church just experience it and seem open to it. It was beautiful to see.”
Father Hill said that Night Fire fits the mission of the upcoming Eucharistic Revival, an initiative called for by the U.S. Catholic bishops intended to form, heal, convert and unite the people of God through a profound and renewed encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.
“It’s hard to find a better meeting place for all the elements of the revival,” said Father Hill. “The Eucharist is the source of the church’s life and her mission is to evangelize,” adding that Night Fire is centered around evangelizing through the Eucharist.
“How fitting that we host this event at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. It is the place where the Gospel first came to U.S. shores, the place that became the springboard for missions throughout this land. It is now a place of revival for the church’s missionary identity and for people to encounter or re-encounter Jesus,” said Father Hill.
David Baird (left) invites a group of men into the cathedral on Sept. 17. He said Night Fire is a way for young adults in St. Augustine to help bring Christ to others. (Victoria Diloné)
A girl prays in front of the sanctuary as her grandmother helps her sister light a candle on Sept. 17. Some parishioners stopped by the cathedral for a few minutes to offer prayers for the success of Night Fire. (Victoria Diloné)
One visitor, Kaley Eschenfelder, who referred to herself as a cradle Catholic, said the action of lighting a candle made her feel that her prayers were brought closer to God.
“It was nice to see the church open its doors to let anyone come in,” said Eschenfelder. “I know in our faith we’ve always been welcoming but, I felt like people didn’t always see it or really feel it.”
Morgan Petrella, another visitor, agreed with her, adding that giving non-Catholics the opportunity to encounter the devotional aspects of our faith, like eucharistic adoration, is important when evangelizing.
“I feel like people think that the Catholic faith is for members only, like you have to be a part of it to be able to participate,” said Petrella. “It’s nice to see people you’d probably think would never be in a Catholic church just experience it and seem open to it. It was beautiful to see.”
Father Hill said that Night Fire fits the mission of the upcoming Eucharistic Revival, an initiative called for by the U.S. Catholic bishops intended to form, heal, convert and unite the people of God through a profound and renewed encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.
“It’s hard to find a better meeting place for all the elements of the revival,” said Father Hill. “The Eucharist is the source of the church’s life and her mission is to evangelize,” adding that Night Fire is centered around evangelizing through the Eucharist.
“How fitting that we host this event at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. It is the place where the Gospel first came to U.S. shores, the place that became the springboard for missions throughout this land. It is now a place of revival for the church’s missionary identity and for people to encounter or re-encounter Jesus,” said Father Hill.
