DIOCESAN NEWS
05/28/10
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Second Annual Weekend of Prayer for Vocations
set June 3-6, marks end of Year for Priests
JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Latino has designated June 3-6 the weekend of the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ as the second annual weekend of prayer for vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of Jackson.
This weekend will include the ordination of Deacon Scott Thomas to the priesthood on Saturday, June 5, and will also serve as a diocesan closing celebration for the Year for Priests. 
The weekend, an adaptation of the traditional Forty Hours devotion, will begin on Thursday, June 3, at noon Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. At the conclusion of the Mass the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed in a monstrance on the altar for adoration in the cathedral until 6 p.m. Adoration will then continue throughout the diocese into the evening in parishes with adoration chapels.
“The Forty Hours devotion traditionally begins with the celebration of Mass followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in one church and then rotates from church to church so many are given the opportunity to participate in the devotion,” said Mary Woodward, coordinator of Diocesan Liturgical Events.
“Forty Hours normally concludes with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament and the celebration of Mass,” Woodward said.
On Friday, June 4, adoration will begin at 8 a.m. in parishes designated by each of the six deaneries in the diocese and continue until 6 p.m. Some deaneries may choose to encourage all parishes and missions to offer a time for adoration and prayer. At 6 p.m. adoration will then continue into the evening in parishes with adoration chapels.
The ordination is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the cathedral on Saturday, June 5. Adoration in designated deanery parishes will be offered from 9 a.m. – noon.
“This will give Catholics unable to attend the ordination an opportunity to be united in prayer with the diocesan church as it ordains its new priest,” said Bishop Latino. “Ordaining a priest is a very fitting way to end the church’s Year for Priests and having the faithful gather in the cathedral for this celebration as well as gather in area churches to pray before the Blessed Sacrament during the ordination is a powerful image of the church united as one family,” he added.
On Sunday, June 6, Bishop Latino will conclude the weekend by celebrating the 10:30 a.m. Mass at the cathedral and leading an outdoor procession of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Benediction and reposition.
For information on churches in your deanery where adoration will be taking place, contact your pastor, lay ecclesial minister or deanery representative. All parishes are encouraged to participate in some way in this weekend of prayer and celebration.
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