Home Visitation

Home visitation encompasses more than knocking on doors.  It includes visiting and bringing Holy Eucharist to the elderly and sick in their homes, it includes visiting Senior & Assisted Living facilities and hospitals, it includes Pilgrim Virgin visitation, Consecration of the Home the the Sacred Heart of Jesus, any evangelization opportunity that presents itself in meeting family members in their homes.

It is not just Mormons and Jehovah witnesses, who are going door-to-door to share their faith — Catholics are too! 

A little known part of the Code of Canon Law requires that the pastor of every parish proclaim the word of God to those living in his parish. Notice the requirement — every person, not just practicing Catholics; indeed, not even just Catholics.  Thus, the Code goes further to say, “With the collaboration of the faithful, he is to make every effort to bring the gospel message to those also who have given up religious practice or who do not profess the true faith.”

How are pastors in the diocese reaching lapsed Catholics and non-Catholics?  Many are turning to the Legion of Mary.

Members of the Legion of Mary, under the guidance and supervision of their pastors are going door-to-door to reach those who are lapsed in their faith or who are not of the true faith.  Founded over 40 years before Second Vatican Council, the forward thinking principles of lay evangelization of the Legion were endorsed by the Second Vatican Council, and by six popes.

What have been the results?  Members of the Legion of Mary have grown in their own personal holiness by their participation in this mission.  A great number of lapsed Catholics have come back to their faith — experience suggests that a single visit is enough to lead 10 percent of non-practicing Catholics back to the Church.  A number of non-Catholics have converted.  Finally, many luke-warm Catholics have been inspired to pray the Rosary more often, attend daily Mass, and participate more actively in their Church.