The Catholic Writers Guild

CWG Book Blast! Joseph Lewis’s Miracle at the Mission

This month, the Catholic Writers’ Guild is touring Joseph Lewis’s book, Miracle at the Mission. It is a 2022 CWG Seal of Approval recipient! High school best friends, Joe and Pete, visit one of the famous Spanish missions of California where they meet a mysterious yet saintly old Franciscan monk who warns them of the dangers they will soon face. 

 

 

Summary:

Catholic high school student Pete Figueroa wins a Saint Junipero Serra essay writing contest and is rewarded with a trip to California to receive an award. His best friend, Joe Pryce, is invited to go with him where they also plan on visiting Pete’s older brother Luke, who is a Marine, and doing some sightseeing.

While touring one of the historic Spanish missions founded by St. Junipero Serra, the boys meet a mysterious yet saintly old Franciscan monk who warns them of the dangers they would soon face. Drawn into a series of events filled with suspense, danger, espionage, and a highspeed car chase, the boys find themselves caught up in a sinister plot involving Russian operatives who are intent upon doing harm to the President of the United States who is in San Francisco for a G7 Summit.

Desperate to prove their innocence, the boys must rely on the guidance and wisdom of the old Franciscan padre, who, it just so happens, bears a strange resemblance to Saint Junipero Serra himself.

As the world teeters on the brink of an international crisis, the story reaches its climax at another mission—Mission San Carlos Borromeo in Carmel—where the boys, together with a large gathering of people, witness an incredible miracle that could determine the difference between world peace or the outbreak of the next world war.

Excerpt:

The padre turned and looked at Joe. The hood of his habit had opened wider, revealing more of his face. In the dim light, his eyes looked dark, his complexion a somewhat lighter olive brown. His thinning gray hair was cut in the traditional tonsure style, something more common among religious orders in the past but not as much today. He wore a large crucifix that hung underneath his hood and rested over the top front of his habit.

As Joe prepared to leave, he suddenly stopped, though he wasn’t sure why. Something of what he had experienced earlier that day in the chapel seemed to compel him to want to listen to what the old padre had to say. Joe slid closer across the pew, stopping just a few feet from him in the pew.

“I am confident you will find your friend safe,” the priest said in a reassuring voice. “From what I gather, the three of you are here for an extraordinary week. So much of what is going on in the world today has found its way near to this very place. Important leaders will be meeting, and the eyes of the world will be watching. It is no coincidence that, at this time in history, they have come here, where so many peoples and cultures met not very long ago and welcomed the missionaries who brought the message of the Gospel. It was, and continues to be, a message of the love of neighbor, of joy and forgiveness, of thanksgiving for one another, and peace among all nations.”

Joe sat mesmerized. Though the padre referred to present-day events, his eloquent words and profound meaning made him seem like someone from another time, another world.

“But there are forces in the world that oppose these cherished things. Principalities who are enemies of God and of mankind, who choose the darkness; some who are visible and made of flesh and blood, others who are spirit and lurk in the shadows.” He paused as he looped the rosary beads he had been holding in his hand through the cincture around the waste of his habit. “My son, the world’s current dangers are real and require the courage and effort of a select few whose work can make the difference between conflict and resolution, division and harmony, hostility and goodwill for all peoples. The events of this week are crucial to determining the direction the world may be inclined to go. We must pray for God’s divine providence, that those who lead us may choose the path of peace. Look for the signs of God’s guiding hand in answer to those prayers. I also want to implore you and your friends to be vigilant this week, as you will be close to many of these things. The world can be a dangerous place, and sometimes people find themselves in circumstances they could hardly have anticipated.”

“I very much appreciate your concern, Father.” Joe politely accepted the padre’s advice, although he didn’t quite understand why he felt the need to offer it. But this wasn’t what Joe had come here searching for. He still didn’t know for certain if Pete was all right. Joe stood up. “I better get back and make sure my friend is okay.”

“Sí te entiendo.” The padre grabbed hold of the back of the pew and pulled himself up. As he did, he shifted as if to favor one leg. He had a thin frame and couldn’t have been more than an inch or two over five feet. His worn sandals looked as though they had traveled many miles.

“Please don’t get up on my account,” Joe said.

“I wish to extend to you my priestly blessing, my son.” With some effort, he shifted his legs again and moved a little closer to Joe. “I am extremely glad you and your friends can spend some time with us in this beautiful place. You know, the mission is in great need of support to help maintain it, not only to preserve the legacy of the missions but for the work they continue to do. This mission is an active parish and serves many people and families, some of whom are descendants of the native people who first lived here many years ago. Please keep the missions, and the people they serve, always in your prayers, won’t you?”

“I will, Father.” Joe turned to leave but turned back again. “I sure hope we have a chance to talk again. I’ve really enjoyed our conversation.”

“So have I, my friend, so have I. God willing, we will have a chance to meet again. In the meantime, go in peace.”

The padre raised his right hand and extended it toward Joe, who bowed his head. “Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless this fine young man and his companions in all their endeavors. May their work bear much fruit in the service of your kingdom. I ask that you protect them and keep them safe from harm in the name of Christ, Our Lord and Savior, Amen. May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost descend upon you and remain with you forever. Amen. Amar a Dios, mi hijo. Love God, my son … and may He make a saint of you!”

“Thank you, Father.” Joe slid back across the pew, then genuflected before the tabernacle. He pivoted and glanced back at the old padre, but he wasn’t there!

Joe looked around the church. “Father?” There was no sign of him. Where could he have gone—and so quickly? … He seemed to mysteriously vanish into thin air.

Author Links:

Author | Joseph A Lewis (josephlewisauthor.com)
Joseph Lewis – Author at Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. (elklakepublishinginc.com)
Joseph Lewis (Author of Miracle at the Mission) | Goodreads
The Westthorpe Academy Mysteries by Joseph Lewis | Facebook
Amazon.com: Joseph Lewis: books, biographies, blogs, audiobooks, Kindle

Bio:
Joe lives in Exton, Pennsylvania, with his wife Marian. They are blessed with six grown children and two granddaughters.

Aside from writing, Joe teaches high school history at Regina Luminis Academy in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Villanova University, holds a masters in theology from the Graduate School of Theology at Christendom College, and has done doctoral work in theology at Catholic University.

His first book, The Ghosts of Westthorpe Academy, was published in 2018. Miracle at the Mission is the second book in the series entitled, The Westthorpe Academy Mysteries. Joe is also an active member of the Catholic Writer’s Guild.

 

Buy Link:

amzn.com/dp/1649495668

 

Tweet:

In Joseph Lewis’s ‘Miracle at the Mission,’ high school best friends visit one of the famous Spanish missions of California where they meet a mysterious yet saintly old Franciscan monk who warns them of the dangers they will soon face. amzn.com/dp/1649495668

 

Special Considerations:

While researching and writing my book, I have been drawn to the concerns raised about the preservation and protection of the famous California missions started by Saint Junipero Serra. The upkeep and improvements necessary to maintain these beautiful and historic landmarks has become increasingly costly. With this in mind, I encourage anyone who would like to help secure the missions so that they may continue to be places of worship and enjoyment for generations to come, to consider making a donation to the California Missions Foundation: 

California Missions Foundation

My research has also brought me to a greater awareness and understanding of the native people of California whom St. Serra greatly loved and served. Inspired by Serra’s great missionary work came the story of a Native American by the name of Pablo Tac who desired to become a missionary priest so that he could serve his native people of California. Though he died before he could fulfill his dream of becoming a priest, an effort is currently underway to bring about his cause for canonization. I invite you to read about Pablo Tac and consider signing the petition to nominate him for the cause of canonization (see link below):

Petition · Petition to nominate Pablo Tac for the cause of canonization · Change.org