MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino invites all to join him, in communion with Pope Benedict XVI, for a worldwide vigil on Saturday, Nov. 27, for all nascent human life.
Vigils in the diocese:
Saturday, Nov. 27
• 9 to 10 a.m., Christ the King Church, 5306 Main St., McFarland
• 7 p.m., St. Patrick Church, 404 E. Main St., Madison
Check with your local parish for more information.
Pope Benedict called for Catholics around the world to participate in the vigil for unborn babies, which coincides with first vespers on the eve of the first Sunday of Advent.
In response to this call, Bishop Morlino will celebrate a prayer vigil, beginning at 7 p.m., at St. Patrick Church, 404 E. Main St., Madison. The faithful are also invited to attend the 5 p.m. Mass and partake in a potluck dinner before the vigil, which begins at 7 p.m. A reception will follow.
Pope Benedict called for the vigil to pray for the unborn and their parents, for an end to abortion and embryo-destroying research, and for recognition of the dignity of all human life. The Vigil for Nascent Human Life will include prayers for overturning laws that permit the destruction of innocent lives and for the healing of those who have acted against innocent human life.
The vigil for the unborn comes at the beginning of Advent, a time of preparation for the birth of Christ.
“The season of preparation for Christmas is an appropriate time for invoking divine protection over every human being called into existence and for thanking God for the gift of life we received from our parents,” the pope said at the end of his Angelus November 14.
An evening prayer vigil will be held November 27 in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, and Pope Benedict asked that parishes and religious communities, associations, and movements around the world host vigils of their own.
In addition to the diocesan vigil, hosted by the Cathedral Parish of Madison, individual parishes in the Diocese of Madison may also be hosting vigils.
An outline for the vigil was provided by the Vatican, and vigil prayer aids for dioceses and parishes are available from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (www.usccb.org).
As the vigil falls on Thanksgiving weekend and many parishes have complicated Mass schedules on Saturday evenings, four different options are provided for the vigil:
• Full Option One: Evening Prayer, Rosary, and Benediction
• Full Option Two: Marian Procession, Rosary, Evening Prayer, and Benediction
• Simplified Option One: Evening Prayer and Benediction without a Rosary
• Simplified Option Two: Marian Procession, Rosary, and Benediction with no Evening Prayer
All options for the vigil include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction, and each of the worship aids follows the directives given by the Vatican and approved by the USCCB.
The Catholic Herald has received word that Christ the King Parish in McFarland will be among individual parishes in the diocese to host a vigil. Check with your local parish for more information.