When someone encounters the living God, their life is never the same. Again and again, we see how the quiet faithfulness of prayer, the beauty of the Eucharist, and the welcome of a Christ-centered community can transform uncertainty into purpose and loneliness into joy.
At St. Francis Chapel, this transformation is lived daily through worship, service, and the shared pursuit of God’s will. We are grateful to share the testimony of Celine Wynn, our music director at St. Francis Chapel, whose story reflects what can happen when you say yes to God’s invitation and find a spiritual home rooted in mercy, discernment, and hope.
Celine Wynn’s Story
“When I first arrived in Boston to study at Berklee, I was full of hope, but that hope quickly gave way to loneliness and uncertainty. I didn’t make friends, my career path felt unclear, and I often wondered if I even belonged here.
Then, one day, I wandered into St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine. Jesus was there in the Eucharist, quietly inviting me: “Come, rest here.” That simple invitation changed everything.
“I found myself coming back again and again. . . because here, I finally felt at home.”
The Oblates of the Virgin Mary who serve at St. Clement welcomed me with a spirituality that spoke directly to my soul. Their preaching was thoughtful yet clear — not too simple, not too complicated — and it drew me deeper into prayer.
From St. Clement God led me to St. Francis Chapel in the Prudential Center, also served by the Oblates, where I began volunteering in the small morning choir.
As I prayed about my future, God asked me to stay in Boston after graduation. Did I want to? Honestly, no. I told Him I’d stay on three conditions: “You have to give me friends, give me a job, and put fire in my heart.”
The job didn’t come right away, no matter how many auditions or applications I tried. I know now that God had other plans. In prayer, I sensed Him saying, “I want you to lead.” I laughed at the idea. “Lead what? Lord, we barely have a choir!” But I promised: “If You send me the choir, I’ll give You everything I have — because my talents are Yours anyway.”
Two weeks later, musicians started appearing out of nowhere — Berklee students, NEC alumni — and suddenly, an afternoon choir was born.
What felt impossible happened overnight. From nothing to everything. To me, this was God’s bouquet of flowers — proof that He sees me and wants me to flourish.
Serving as the choir director at St. Francis Chapel has been more than music; it’s been a vocation. Leading others in worship taught me to see what God sees in me: His “little conductor,” His little musician, an instrument of peace and joy.
I carry with me the Oblates’ motto, “Begin again.” I fall often . . . into doubt, fear, even desolation, but I’ve learned that no matter how many times I fail, I can always start fresh. I even tell our choir this when the music gets messy: if you miss a note, stop, find your place, and begin again.
Even if I started again yesterday, I can start again today. God’s mercy never runs out.
The joy I have today is rooted in this community — in serving at the Chapel on Saturdays and across five Masses every Sunday, in learning from the Oblates’ preaching, and in sharing music that lifts hearts to God.
I didn’t know who the Oblates were before coming to Boston. Now, I can’t imagine my life without them. Through them, God gave me friends, purpose, and joy — everything I asked Him for and more.”
Lives Changed and Vocations Nurtured
Celine’s story is one of many that reveal how God works through the faithful presence of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. Through Eucharistic worship, thoughtful preaching, spiritual accompaniment, and vibrant parish life, lives are changed and vocations are nurtured. What began as a simple invitation to rest in the Lord became a path of service, leadership, and lasting joy.
Your generosity makes stories like this possible. When you support the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, you help sustain ministries that bring people home to Christ, foster vocations, and build communities rooted in God’s mercy.
We invite you to prayerfully consider supporting our mission by giving to the Annual Fund. Your gift directly supports the spiritual work taking place at chapels like St. Francis and beyond.
Together, may we continue to help souls hear Christ’s gentle invitation and discover, again and again, the grace to begin anew.
I was in Boston for work in either April or May till July 2023. Each Jan, God would speak to me and in my heart I’d know where to give my Beginning of the Year offering, separate from tithing or any other offerings throughout the year. I kept asking God and wondering – by March I still haven’t heard Jesus’ instruction. I was getting concerned. Over the years I know that this is God’s way of opening me up to His blessings for the year. My first Sunday in Boston I went to St. Francis’ Chapel from my hotel. I was late, desperately trying to find a church inside a shopping building. I asked people but they didn’t know but I kept walking until a gentleman pointed the Chapel to me. The holiness of the Chapel gave me such joy that I found my church for the next several weeks. The holy priest’ sermon spoke to my heart (I even remember the story about his family & how he became a priest) then he shared about the upcoming fundraiser gala for the seminarians. Then in that instant, I heard God. I was thrilled!! I am writing the check to the Oblates of the Virgin Mary with the amount and all, $1500. It was a large amount but I obeyed and lifted it up to Jesus with excitement. The choir’s singing was a beautiful praise to God, not a performance. I looked forward to Sunday Mass. Then one evening in early June, I received a call from my husband that his new boss who just joined the company my husband and has been with for 16 years was letting him go. My husband got fired from his high-paying job. I remember telling my husband that’s fine, we trust in God’s plan. That this is an answer to my prayers for him, for us. That night during prayer, when fear tried to come in, I sought God so deeply and His peace beyond human understanding came over me and I knew in the core of my soul, I heard God in my heart say “We are going to be alright after all.” I know it! I rejoiced. That morning, looking at the mirror while getting ready for work, the Holy Spirit spoke… “Continue to pray.” We prayed for the people involved in his firing, we forgave and rejoiced in his firing. So many miracles to share. God sustained us powerfully, gave us peace and joy and strengthened our faith throughout. Jesus gave me a continuous highest paying consulting work close to home in California where I could be home with my husband every weekend. When that ended, I was offered a 2-month remote work from home. This work continued until the Friday before our flight to Florida the next day, end of June 2024 – for my husband’s new job! The remote work I had allowed for me to set up everything for our move across the country. The home we are in now has everything I have speaking to God about – a balcony to watch his stars and moon and talk with Him, see the sunrise, the sunset, open views plus all the details of the inside of our new home. We signed without seeing the place in person, just with one FaceTime call. The Holy Spirit did everything for us. My husband’s new work is filled with God-fearing Christians, including clients/groups. We never felt the loss of his salary at all. Most of all, my husband saw the mighty hand of God because we trusted in His son, Jesus, and the power of His Holy Spirit. We received a letter from you, The Oblates of the Virgin Mary that said we have been praying for you. Let us know what God has done. I’m sorry it took a while for me to share our story. THANK YOU and may God continue to bless you. May our Blessed Mother always keep you under the mantle of her protection. Amen.
This is a beautiful story and testimony, Shirleen. Thank you for sharing and for your generosity. God bless! – OMV