DAYTON—“Stepping Up the Call,” an annual pilgrimage for church vocations, kicks off May 9 at St. Augustine Church in Minster, Ohio.

The popular chance to lift “souls and soles” to promote vocational awareness includes a walking and/or driving pilgrimage to up to seven churches and religious sites across parts of Auglaize and Mercer counties.

Walkers (and riders) of all ages were among the more than 100 participants in last year’s “Stepping Up the Call” pilgrimage for vocations along the highways and byways of Mercer and Auglaize counties. The annual event regularly draws participants (including volunteers who prepare homemade snacks) from the Toledo Diocese. (Photo courtesy of the Sisters of the Precious Blood)

Based on the ancient religious practice of prayer combined with walking as a spiritual discipline, the pilgrimage — held rain or shine — aims to increase awareness that every person has a “vocation,” or call from God. Celebrating all vocations, including marriage and single life, “Stepping Up the Call” puts a special emphasis on the call to be a Catholic priest, deacon, sister or brother.

This year’s pilgrimage begins at 8:30 a.m. with morning prayer at St. Augustine, Minster. It then moves on to St. Joseph Church in Egypt, Ohio, where, at 11 a.m., participants will pray together and hear presentations on the various expressions of vocation in the Catholic Christian tradition.

Lunch at Maria Stein Center at 1:30 p.m. is to be followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 2:15 p.m. The pilgrimage concludes at 4 p.m. with the celebration of Eucharist at St. Charles Center, Carthagena, Ohio.

Those who are unable to walk all or part of the distance may join the “driving pilgrimage,” which offers additional stops for prayer at Holy Angels, Sidney, Ohio; St. Aloysius, Carthagena; and St. John the Baptist, Maria Stein, Ohio.

People who wish to support this vocations effort but are unable to take part in the entire pilgrimage are invited to join in praying at any of the sites. Those who live in the area but are unable to make any part of the pilgrimage are still welcome to visit any of the scheduled church stops along the route to pray with the community there.

Healthy snacks along the route and lunch will be provided. Vans will be available to return walking pilgrims to their vehicles.

This annual vocations pilgrimage is coordinated by the Sisters of the Precious Blood and Missionaries of the Precious Blood and volunteers.

For more information, contact Precious Blood Sister Carolyn Hoying at 937-231-1244 or vocations@PreciousBloodSistersDayton.org, or Linda Thieman at 419-678-4403 or lthieman@watchtv.net.