Local Friends of the Cross Group Honors St. Montfort’s Spiritual Legacy
Story by Karen A. Avitabile
“A Friend of the Cross is one chosen by God from among ten thousand who have reason and sense for their only guide. He is truly divine, raised above reason and thoroughly opposed to the things of sense, for he lives in the light of true faith.” – St. Louis de Montfort
In his book, The Letter to The Friends of the Cross, St. Louis de Montfort (1673-1716) points out that holiness comes from walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Still published today, the book serves as a guide for lay associations, including one that meets in Waterbury.
Nearly four years ago, Elaine Cerullo of Wolcott established the Friends of the Cross group in Waterbury’s St. Patrick Oratory Parish to bring together faithful worshippers dedicated to living in consecration to Christ through the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“It was the perfect name for our group,” Cerullo says. “The Letter was one of my favorite reads.”
Once a month, some 30 people from St. Patrick Oratory Parish and the greater Waterbury area gather at a local restaurant to enjoy fellowship over a meal, engage in spiritual discussions and offer gratitude through prayer and reciting the rosary. On occasion, a guest speaker gives a presentation.
Cerullo attributes the group’s name to a period when she and her husband Louis owned St. Michael’s Bookstore in downtown Waterbury and distributed many copies of The Letter.
After the store closed, several loyal patrons desired to meet socially in a faith-centered environment. Inspired by St. Louis de Montfort’s The Letter, Cerullo established the Friends of the Cross group to stay in touch with many of her customers and build new friendships.
“We are all church friends,” she says, “and have a desire to stay connected.”
William O’Brien of Wolcott has been attending the Friends of the Cross gatherings since the beginning. “It’s a good time to be with other people,” he says. “It’s a good social group.”
Canon Matthew Weaver, pastor and rector of St. Patrick Oratory Parish, regularly attends the Friends of the Cross gatherings. He praises the group’s “dedication, devotion and enthusiasm” and desire to unite as a family in Christ.
“My presence helps to strengthen them,” Canon Weaver says. “We are in the presence of the mystical body of Christ. We are all friends of the cross.”
Father John Mariano, a senior priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford, has often led the group in praying the rosary. “It’s good to get people together and pray,” he says, adding, “This is a wholesome experience for me.”
To remember Monsignor John Bevins who frequently joined the Friends of the Cross monthly gatherings, the group keeps his spirit alive with his picture, a candle and flowers on a restaurant table. The longtime Waterbury pastor of the Archdiocese of Hartford died on Oct. 13, 2025, at the age of 93.
“He was a devoted spiritual leader of the Friends of the Cross group,” Cerullo adds.
Friends of the Cross gatherings are held on the last Thursday of the month at Amalfi’s Italian Ristorante in Waterbury. Anyone who would like to participate should make a reservation by sending an email to elainecerullo@yahoo.com. The next gathering is set for Aug. 27, 5:30 p.m. Participants are asked to bring rosary beads.