When I was a brother in Cheshire and finished my humanist studies, the time to move forward to philosophy came. There were two possibilities: Rome or Thornwood.
One day our superior announced the assignments during lunch. He read the name of each brother saying if they would go to Rome or Thornwood. I was the last one in the list, and with my name the superior read “Thornwood”. At first I was disappointed for not going to Rome (the Promised Land for a legionary brother, where hundreds of legionaries are so close to the Pope). I shared my disappointment with a very wise priest and he told me that God always knows the best place for us. He sends us to places where we need to learn things for our future mission, and it was certain that He wanted me to learn something in Thornwood.
I did not just two years of Philosophy, but also two years of apostolic internship here. Now, four years later, the legionary community is leaving Thornwood, and I am the last brother here.
I learned so much in Thornwood! I just want to thank God for all the wonderful things that He did in my life and in the lives of so many people that passed through here. So many priests and brothers, consecrated and lay people have been here in Thornwood and felt the presence of Jesus. Blessed be God!
So many Masses were celebrated here… thousands! So many people received the sacrament of reconciliation! So many retreats and Spiritual Exercises…Thornwood was always the quiet and peaceful place to encounter Jesus, yet so close to the busy and noisy Big Apple. I think I really learned how to pray and be with the Lord here. Thornwood is definitely a sacred place.
Also, so many brothers received their formation here and now are holy priests of Christ, and others are following their vocation as lay people with the joy of being disciples of the Lord. I met so many people that are now my friends, and will be always in my prayers.
Now that I look back, I am so grateful that God asked me to come here. I learned so much in Thornwood and had wonderful experiences of His Love. I lived here with real saints, amazing fathers and brothers that left a huge impact in my soul and showed me the face of Jesus.
I am not sad for leaving Thornwood. I believe that God is guiding us to the place where we will learn something we need to our journey.
Jesus, I trust in you! Lord, thank you!
