Jesse Romero speaks on prayer

IC photo/Laura Vallejo

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Jesse Romero speaks during his April 13 appearance at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Kearns. He presented two talks in English and two in Spanish, captivating Catholics who attended his talks.

KEARNS — Around 200 people gathered at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church for two presentations offered by Jesse Romero, a bilingual motivator, author and speaker.

Romero’s topics were “How to Get to Heaven for Dummies!” and “The Power of Prayer.” He gave presentations to a Spanish-speaking audience in the morning of April 13 and to an English-speaking audience in the afternoon.

The event was organized by the parish’s Knights of Columbus Bishop Hunt Council 5214. This is the second year that the Knights have put together this type of presentation, and the first year that they were able to provide a speaker for the Spanish-speaking community as well as for the English-speaking community.

George Jockisch, one of the parish’s Knights, said he was very happy and grateful for all the attendees.

“It means a lot that all these people came here today,” Jockisch said.

At the beginning of Romero’s presentation, Chad Garret Vargo, Grand Knight of Council 5214, welcomed the attendees to the English part of the event.

“I want to thank all and each one of you for coming to this retreat today,” he said, adding that the purpose of the event was to deepen the Catholic faith.

 “We started bringing speakers to these types of events last year. … We, the Knights of Columbus, wanted to give opportunities to deepen the faith, so today we are presenting you Romero’s talks,” Vargo said.  

Romero’s first topic was the power of prayer.

“The essence of prayer comes from your heart. Whatever type of prayer you do, it has to come from the heart,” Romero said.

Romero explained briefly the various types of prayers, including contemplative prayer, intercessory prayer, blessing,  adoration and contrition.

The rosary is a powerful prayer, he said.

“The devil fears the recitation of the rosary. … The rosary is our go-to remedy because you are reciting at least 50 times the words that announced the most powerful and greatest act in the history: God becoming man,” Romero said.

During Romero’s presentation, people learned about different forms of prayer, and “also learned the three ways God answers our prayers,” Vargo said.

“This brings us closer to God,” said Leroy Jacquez, another of the Knights.

All the proceeds from the event will go to three causes: The Carmelite nuns, the Dominican Order, and to St. Francis Xavier Parish’s bathroom project.

After Romero’s presentations people gathered to pray a community rosary.