JAMAICA PLAIN -- Through a life of prayer and service, they come together to live the Gospel message and answer Jesus’ call of discipleship, and in doing so, strengthen the local, national, and even international community.

“Even outside of the immediate and concrete, there’s a larger sense of being part of a community that’s responding to the needs of the world and the community at large,” said Kendra Bradner, a member of the Community of Sant’Egidio in Boston.

The Community of Sant’Egidio, founded in Rome in the 1960s, is a worldwide community dedicated to a life of prayer, sharing the Gospel message, and many aspects of social justice. Worldwide, the group works with the poor and the marginalized, advocating for an end to the death penalty, combating the spread of AIDS and assisting AIDS victims in Africa, and promoting peace.

Dave Sulewski, another Boston member, said that at the local level, members of the community visit and pray with the elderly, mentor and provide homework help to local youth, visit inmates on death row, and raise awareness and money for AIDS victims. He also said some members have visited AIDS patients in Africa.

Kerri Marmol, another member, added that she had recently been approached about having the group launch an ESL program.

Marmol also discussed the group’s regular activities.

She said that on Monday, they visit and pray with the elderly in a Brighton housing development; on Tuesday they gather for prayer at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Jamaica Plain; on Thursday they visit and pray with the elderly in a Cambridge nursing home; on Saturday they mentor local youth; and on Sunday the group’s youth community visit and pray with elderly.

Local youth are introduced to the mission of the community through the community’s youth group and what is called the School of Peace.

In Boston, the School of Peace is held at the old Our Lady of Lourdes parish school in Jamaica Plain. Local youth in Grades 1 through 7 can receive mentoring and homework help.

Sulewski said that mentoring includes discussing issues of faith and peace, and talking with kids about the challenges they face in school.

Marmol said, “It’s more like a big brother, big sister thing -- helping them to grow up well.”

“I don’t think they come back because their grades are getting better. They come back because they like us,” she added.

Eliabeth Roman, 16, was a former participant in the School of Peace. She described it as an eye-opening experience because it helped her in school. She said her grades rose as part of the experience.

Formerly a student of an inner-city public school in Boston, she is now enrolled as a vocalist at the Boston Arts Academy.

She is a member of the community’s youth group and said that she wants to share the help she received with others.

“It has helped me grow as a person,” Roman said. “I’m learning many new things about the diverse community we have.”

Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley visited the group on Feb. 23 at Our Lady of Lourdes, giving a homily at a prayer service there and attending a reception where he learned more about the recent activities of the group.

Speaking to The Pilot following the reception, Cardinal O’Malley said this group, and many others like it that formed after the Second Vatican Council are a “gift to the Church.”

“It helps people to live their baptismal commitment more deeply, to learn the teachings of the Church, experience the community of the Church, and have the tools to evangelize,” he said.