It all started with a simple act of love. Several years ago, I met a woman at daily Mass. Her name is Nina. She was wearing a beautiful crucifix around her neck. One day I saw her on the parking lot of a local grocery store and mentioned how beautiful her crucifix was. She said, “You like this?” I said, “Yes”. She took the crucifix from her neck and put it around mine. I was so touched that I started wearing it every day. I found out from a very saintly friend of mine, Don Benedict, that it was a medal crucifix of St. Benedict. If Don mentioned it, I figured it must be pretty special. I looked it up and was absolutely amazed at the history and power of the Medal Crucifix of St. Benedict. Several months later, I was distributing Eucharist at the local nursing home. A woman rolled up in a wheelchair and asked, “You’re Catholic, aren’t you?” I said “Yes.” She said, “I could tell by your crucifix. I used to be Catholic.” I said, “Used to be? What happened?” She said that her husband was Methodist, and that she had joined his church. I said, “I don’t mean to sound insensitive, but is your husband alive?” She said, “No, he passed several years ago.” I said, “You know, one good confession and you’re back in. Want me to send you a priest”. She sat for a moment and said, “I think I would like that”. I sent her a priest, she confessed, and you should have seen the glow of peace she had after that confession. I took Eucharist to her in her room for several years until she passed into God’s arms. It was at that point that the Holy Spirit told me that if wearing the Medal Crucifix of St. Benedict could draw that soul to Jesus, perhaps it might work for others. Thus was born, the Crucifix Crusade.
Like Nina, I have given away my own personal Crucifix on numerous occasions, and over 1,300 kits have been distributed since that fateful day on the parking lot. How many souls have I rescued? I have no idea, that’s God’s business. My business is to spread His Word.