Day 4 in Chicago, 3/11/26

Our fourth day in Chicago began with another early morning Mass with Bishop Bob in the chapel. It’s always a blessing to start the day with what matters most, even if I’m quietly battling the pre‑coffee struggle to stay awake.

After Mass we had breakfast, and then the sisters divided us into our morning groups. My group was assigned to clean the church next door, Our Lady of the Angels, a true beacon for the community. A few Carroll and Ferris students and I were given the job of wiping down every pew in the large church. It might sound boring, but it turned into a great chance to talk with some Ferris students about our favorite philosophers and books while we worked. Once the pews were finished, we scrubbed the staircase leading up to the choir loft. What I loved most was the quiet simplicity of cleaning the place where God dwells.

After we cleaned the staircase, we hurried over to the dining hall to join the sisters for their weekly senior Bible study. We spent about thirty minutes reflecting on Luke 4:1–13, discussing how to fight temptation with prayer and connecting it to Christ’s time in the desert. Afterward, all of us college students helped serve lunch to the seniors and then sat down to eat with them.

This ended up being my favorite part of the day. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Pervis and his wife Belinda, who shared stories from their sixty‑year marriage, their prayer lives, and the hardships they’ve faced in their community. Having never lived in a big city marked by poverty and violence, it was eye‑opening to hear their experiences. It made me realize how different our lives can be and how much more grateful I should be for what I have. After lunch we cleaned up and had an hour break before our holy hour. Holy hour is another highlight of my day because it gives me a quiet space to bring whatever is on my mind to prayer.

Following holy hour, we walked down the block to the YMCA for our fourth day with the kids. It’s always a joy to spend time with them, playing games, helping with homework, and just being present. After basketball and a few rounds of sharks and minnows, we headed back to the mission for a delicious dinner prepared by the sisters.

We ended the evening with a Q&A session with the sisters and the apostolates of the mission. They shared their stories of discernment, how they ended up here, and offered insightful vocation advice, along with some of their favorite stories about St. Francis. We closed the night with a quick group meeting to reflect on the day.

I’m excited for tomorrow and whatever the big city has in store.

Alexandre