fbpx

Watch Bible Studies
Fr. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv
Click Here
Pray for Vocations
Learn More
Dear Companion of St. Anthony
A July letter from Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv.
Read the Letter

Through our love and reflection on Scripture and our ministries of service, we continue to follow St. Anthony’s call. As a Companion of St. Anthony, you are truly part of a community striving for the common good and jointly praying daily for the work and ministry of Franciscans around the world.

 

Seeking the intercession of St. Anthony, Franciscan Friars Conventual and Companions accompany one another on their spiritual journeys. This companionship is an integral part of the Franciscan community, and as a Companion of St. Anthony, you are truly part of a community striving for common good.

Join Our Community

Latest News From the Friars

Friars and dedicated lay staff minister to the poor and marginalized, teach and evangelize, offer spiritual direction and counseling, and operate historic sites up along the East Coast of the U.S. The St. Anthony Companion keeps our community up-to-date on this important work.

Visit Our Shrine

The home of the Companions of St. Anthony is the Shrine of St. Anthony, located in scenic Howard County, Maryland. The chapel and first-class relic are open daily. The Shrine also hosts a number of events (many are livestreamed) for our community. Daily Mass intentions every Tuesday at the Shrine are for Companions.

Franciscan Soy Candles

Hand-crafted, wood-wick soy candles are made in The Shrine of St. Anthony. Br. Brian Newbigging has been creating a variety of themed candles to enhance prayerful spaces for years. Candles are available for delivery.

Third Station

Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time

I followed close behind my son as he stumbled toward Calvary. Nothing had ever hurt me more than to see him in such pain. I saw the cross digging into his shoulders. My heart dropped when I saw him fall face to the ground, the heavy cross landing squarely on his back. For a moment I thought my beloved son was dead. Now, my whole body began to tremble. Then the guards kicked him. He rose slowly and began to walk again, yet they still whipped him. I wanted to protect him with my own body. But, I knew this had to be, so I walked on and wept silently.

Lord, how often have I seen you fall, and, unlike Mary, have left you there without concern? How often have I seen people make mistakes and laughed at them? How often do I find myself getting angry when someone does things differently than I? Mary offered you her support through your entire passion. Help me to do the same for you by the support I give to others. Lord, have mercy on me.

← Previous Station Next Station →

Featured Pages

Etiam sed eleifend tellus. Curabitur volutpat feugiat congue. Suspendisse potenti. Aenean rhoncus nunc id semper mollis. Aenean pulvinar, leo non elementum sollicitudin, enim neque viverra neque, quis consequat orci tellus vitae libero. Quisque et metus ultricies, malesuada turpis nec, malesuada enim. Nunc maximus tincidunt erat vitae vehicula. Morbi eget vehicula leo. Nulla interdum eros vel quam pellentesque lacinia. Integer non porta nunc.

Stations of the Cross 11

Eleventh Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross As they threw Jesus on the cross he willingly allowed himself to be nailed. As they punctured his hands and his feet I felt the pain in my heart. They they lifted up the cross. There he was, my son, whom I love so much, being scorned as he struggled for the last few moments of earthly

READ MORE

Stations of the Cross 05

Fifth Station: Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross I could now see almost complete helplessness on the face of my son as he tried to carry his heavy load. Each step looked as if it would be his last. I felt his every pain in my heart and I wanted the whole thing to end. Then I noticed some commotion near Jesus. The guards had

READ MORE

Stations of the Cross 10

Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments With my son finally relieved of the weight of the cross, I thought he would have a chance to rest. But the guards immediately started to rip his clothes off his blood-clotted skin. The sight of my son in such pain was unbearable. Yet, since I knew this had to be, I stood by and cried silently.

READ MORE

About Us

READ MORE

Content Heading

MASS ENROLLMENT CARDS

The Companions of St. Anthony offer Enrollment Mass cards for all of life's occasions. We offer a Sympathy card to show your condolences with the gift of prayers, a Healing card to wish someone good health, and a Living Enrollment for life's many celebrations! We offer perpetual enrollments for all three needs! You may enroll yourself or a loved one, living or deceased. Offerings for our Mass Cards support our Evangelization ministry as well as the education and formation of our friars, the care of our aged and infirm friars, and the apostolic works of the Province of Our Lady of the Angels in the United States and around the world. Please visit our Franciscan Friar Shop at FriarShop.org to enter into one of our enrollments: Click here to view our Mass Enrollments.

Testimonials

Our Team

Maecenas aliquet lectus sodales, hendrerit nisi ac, tempus tortor. Curabitur tempus lorem sit amet odio vehicula consequat. Phasellus molestie nibh vitae ligula euismod fringilla.

Member 1

Position 1

Member 2

Position 2

Member 3

Position 3

Member 4

Position 4

Our Partners

Etiam sed eleifend tellus. Curabitur volutpat feugiat congue. Suspendisse potenti. Aenean rhoncus nunc id semper mollis. Aenean pulvinar, leo non elementum sollicitudin, enim neque viverra neque, quis consequat orci tellus vitae libero. Quisque et metus ultricies, malesuada turpis nec, malesuada enim.

Latest Posts

A Letter from Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv.

A Letter from Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv.

Dear Companion of St. Anthony, The Solemnities of the Holy Trinity (6/15), The Body and Blood of Christ (6/22), the Sacred Heart of Jesus (6/27) and Saints Peter and Paul (6/29) all happen in rather rapid succession at the conclusion of the Easter Season.  I suggest to you that they can be seen as a bridge between Easter and of Ordinary Time. We are truly

Posted: Jun 23, 2025
A Letter from Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv.

A Letter from Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv.

Dear Companion of St. Anthony, I know that we are all familiar with praying for the intercession of our patron saints. Thousands come to our Shrine of St. Anthony and reach out to our Companions ministry requesting prayers each month. In addition to praying for intercession, Sr. Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ, suggested another way that saints can be involved in our lives: “cheering us on.” Isn’t

Posted: May 6, 2025
A Letter from Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv.

A Letter from Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv.

Dear Companion of St. Anthony, As we reach the mid-point of our Lenten journey, I feel inspired to share with you a quote from Pope Francis.  A number of years ago he said the following words during a talk he gave to priests of the nation of Colombia: “Knowing Jesus is the best gift any person can receive; that we have encountered him is the

Posted: Apr 1, 2025
COMPANIONS OF ST. ANTHONY | FRANCISCAN FRIARS CONVENTUAL
12290 Folly Quarter Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042
PH: 844-ST-ANTHONY (844-782-6846) | FAX: 410-531-4881
info@companionsofstanthony.org
© Companions of St. Anthony.
Vega Pro Wordpress Theme by LyraThemes
Donate