Priest to lead powerful prayer experiences Aug. 8-10, 2025, in Jefferson City

He’s very wise. He’s very funny. He’s full of joy, and that joy is contagious. He’s very solid and his stories are amazing. ... He will put the wind under your wings.”

Shelly Pichler, founder of the Revive: Strengthening + Healing Souls ministry

Mrs. Scott’s doctor told her that if she conceived any more children, she would probably die.

She was moments away from tubal-ligation surgery when a force within her said “No!”

“She took off the anesthetic mask and threw it,” said Shelly Pichler, founder of the Revive: Strengthening + Healing Souls ministry (strengtheningandhealing.org).

Mrs. Scott and her husband went on to conceive healthy twins.

One of them, Father Philip Scott — an internationally recognized author, speaker and retreat leader — will be in Jefferson City Aug. 8-10, 2025, to lead three days of powerful reflection and prayer.

“These will be great occasions for us all to get infused with God’s blessings and get imparted with the Holy Spirit and do that as a community,” said Barb Prasad, coordinator of Women’s Ministry for the diocese.

The theme will be “Abound in Hope.”

The three prayer gatherings will dovetail with the Diocesan Stewardship Conference, which is expected to draw people from many locales to the Capital City.

• The prayer gathering on Friday, Aug. 8, will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 1206 E. McCarty St.

Special prayers will be offered for priests, deacons, seminarians and the diocese’s yet-to-be-appointed new bishop.

• The Saturday, Aug. 9, gathering will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 2305 W. Main St.

Special prayers will be offered for the diocese and its parishes.

• The Sunday, Aug. 10, gathering will be from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in St. Peter Church, 216 Broadway.

Special prayers will be offered for laypeople and families.

All are invited and welcome to participate in any or all of the prayer gatherings.

Visit diojeffcity.org/abound-in-hope-registration-page to register.

“The whole idea is that in this time of transition, as we wait for our new bishop, we’ll pause and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us, strengthen us and lead us forward,” said Mrs. Prasad.

She emphasized that the prayer sessions are for everyone — men, women and families.

“We received this wonderful opportunity, and it seemed too good for us to keep to ourselves,” said Mrs. Prasad.

The prayers and reflections will be appropriate for anyone in middle school or older, she said.

“Younger children are welcome, but the content is geared to adults,” she stated. “Use your discretion if you think your children will be able to attend.

The Cathedral has a cry room for anyone who would like to use it during the presentation.

Answered prayers

Fr. Scott will share stories such as the time he was kidnapped at gunpoint, and how God responded to fervent prayers.

The priest gives missions and retreats all over the world.

Mrs. Pichler has seen him bring healing to people’s spirits and draw numerous people back to actively practicing their faith.

One of his particular ministries is giving retreats for priests and hearing their Confessions.

Fr. Scott was born in Peru and moved to the United States with his family when he was 6.

The Lord called him to return as a priest to Peru, where he founded the Family of Jesus community of priests, brothers and sisters.

Members minister to people in the Peruvian jungle, with an emphasis on families and healing.

A group of women from St. Joseph Parish in Westphalia had heard Fr. Scott preach at a conference and were deeply impressed.

They talked to Mrs. Prasad, who contacted Mrs. Pichler about bringing Fr. Scott to this diocese sometime.

Meanwhile, a pilgrimage the priest was planning to lead in August got cancelled, so he contacted Mrs. Pichler.

“He said, ‘I was praying for you, and the Lord put this on my heart,’” she recalled.

She contacted Mrs. Prasad, and the events in Jefferson City came together on very short notice.

“I believe it’s an act of the Holy Spirit,” said Mrs. Prasad. “Fr. Scott is very much in demand, and we have this wonderful opportunity to pray with him.”

Mrs. Pichler described him as “very spiritually gifted.”

“He’s very wise. He’s very funny. He’s full of joy, and that joy is contagious. He’s very solid and his stories are amazing,” she said.

“He’s truly a blessing,” she stated. “He will put the wind under your wings.”

Something to read

Copies of Fr. Scott’s newly published book, Tsunamied by God, about spiritual healing in families, will be available for purchase at all three prayer gatherings.

“All families are in need of healing,” said Mrs. Pichler. “Some of us have scars and dents, some of us have traumatic injuries. This book is really beautiful in helping to process and heal through the Lord the wounds that we’ve received in life.”