Special visitors joined the Pius X theology classes on Wednesday, March 4.

The guests were Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, who were visiting far from their home of New York.

The friars went around to theology classes with the goal of helping students have a personal encounter with Jesus.

“All of us are from a friary in Harlem, New York,” Brother Angelo said. “We were staying at St. Joseph’s all week and were invited to come to Pius.”

One of the friars, Father Angelus, graduated from Pius X in 2003 and was invited back to speak to the students.

“We wanted to show the students the gospel values that were expressed by St. Francis,” Father Gabriel said.

They did so by sharing stories, taking questions, praying and other unique ways.

“We showed the trailer for ‘Outcast,’ which is a realistic and graphic movie that shows a glimpse into our life and the people we get to work with,” Angelo said. “It is very powerful to actually see the things we talk about instead of just talking about them.”

“Outcast” is a film depicting the everyday lives of the friars and who they work with, and it also covered how the kingdom of God is inside everyone.

Some classes played trivia games around St. Francis and listened to testimonies.

The methods and tactics employed by the friars varied but each taught something for students to take away.

“It was interesting to hear stories about how the friars lived the vows they swore out,” junior Lucy Willis said.