Br. Gene Mayer, OFM, Guardian of the Shrine
Br. Gene Mayer, OFM, (right) Guardian of St. Anthony Shrine and Friary with Fr. Jim Bok, OFM
Keeping the Province and the Shrine running smoothly
This year, Brother Gene Mayer, OFM celebrates 44 years as a friar. Br. Gene is what many people would refer to as a “character”. He’s one of those gruff guys on the outside with a heart of gold on the inside. He has a wicked sense of humor and enjoys saying things that will spark a reaction or debate.
He grew up in Michigan and attended St Francis Seminar in Cincinnati. He completed his undergraduate work in philosophy at Duns Scotus College and Xavier University. His graduate studies were in theology at St Meinrad College in Indiana.
Br. Gene loves sports and is an avid Cincinnati Reds fan.
Br. Gene taught religion classes to freshman students at Roger Bacon High School in Cincinnati for twenty-two years. He also served as Athletic Director for nine years.
We’re told by former students that he did not put up with much and they did not get away with anything.
He is a stickler for details and knows what he wants. His attention to detail and organizational skills make him a natural in his current position as secretary of the province and guardian for the St Anthony Shrine. Br. Gene oversees one of our larger communities of friars (11 Friars and 2 Postulants). That is no easy task in a building that was consecrated in 1889.
As guardian of St. Anthony Shrine, Br. Gene personally lights all of the candles that have been requested online. That’s hundreds of thousands of candles in the ten years that Br. Gene has been guardian. You can request candles with your petitions here.
Br. Gene Mayer, OFM, lights candles at the Shrine.
He is also responsible for the care of the Shrine’s four first-class relics. One is exposed at the back of the chapel in front of the St. Anthony statue. The others are used for the general and individual blessing at the Tuesday novenas and Feast day. Learn more about relics here.
The Feast of St. Anthony on June 13th is the busiest time of the year at the Shrine. The Chapel is beautiful, filled with lilies and candles. Busloads of pilgrims, some traveling over 200 miles, arrive for blessings from the St. Anthony relics and to receive a loaf of blessed bread. Over 500 loaves are distributed with some Italian families baking their own. The extensive grounds are perfect for a quiet walk and meditation. Please make plans to join us this year.
Thanks Br. Gene. We appreciate all you do to keep things running so smoothly.
Posted in: Prayer, Saint Anthony
