First, some background....
Back in early October, it was announced that a prayer vigil to be held by the Holy Father was going to broaden in scope, to include people around the world. Here was the CNA article:
City, Oct 1, 2010 / 10:01 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- To encourage a commitment and witness within the Church to love and life, a prayer initiative to be led by Pope Benedict XVI is being promoted by a pair of cardinals. All bishops of the world are being asked to invite the faithful to pray for the unborn during the prayerful season before Christmas.
On Nov. 27, to mark the start of Advent, Pope Benedict will preside over first vespers in St. Peter's Basilica as is customary. According to a note from Vatican spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi, however, this will take place within a broader scope than usual.
Vespers will be included in Sunday's "vigil for nascent life," in light of the beginning of Advent and the proximity of the Lord's Nativity.
Benedict XVI will not be the only one leading the vigil, as the initiative is being promoted through bishops' conferences throughout the world. A letter from Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and Cardinal Ennio Antonelli of the Pontifical Council for the Family has been sent to the bishops of the world to invite a similar celebration and prayer initiative on a local level throughout the Catholic Church.
Fr. Lombardi said through Vatican Radio that the events will take place "in spiritual union with the Holy Father, to promote the commitment and the ecclesial witness for a culture of life and love.
Archbishop Vigneron to Lead Vigil Saturday
Detroit's shepherd has responded by holding a Vigil for all nascent human life, this Saturday, at St. John Neumann in Canton, Michigan.
Click flyer to view PDF |
Holy Hour Saturday Evening at Assumption Grotto
The Holy Father intended for this to be broad, asking not only that bishops lead prayer vigils around the world, but that parishes hold them, and people to join in prayer at home if they cannot make a vigil. Fr. Perrone has responded by offering a Holy Hour after the 4:00pm Mass until 6:00pm. We will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for silent prayer. It came together too late for a Vespers service to be prepared. There is a Rosary following all weekend Masses, and that will probably take place during Exposition.
Other vigils this Saturday in Metro Detroit?
It is not practical for every pro-life Catholic to make it to Canton, nor can the parish hold everyone. With this in mind, I am assuming that a number of parishes throughout the archdiocese are holding prayer vigils.
Do you know of other parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit holding a vigil?
Please drop a note in the comment box or send me an email and I will update this post with other locations. Provide details (parish, city, and preferrably a weblink to parish website, and time).
Here is what I have received thus far. I am hoping to receive word of others in the archdiocese. Click the links for details.
The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
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