Vocations pilgrimage slated for May 8 |
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Wednesday, 28 April 2010 00:00 |
DAYTON—“Stepping Up the Call,” an annual pilgrimage for church vocations, kicks off May 8 at St. Augustine Church in Minster, Ohio. The event to lift “souls and soles” includes a walking and/or driving pilgrimage to up to six churches and religious sites across parts of Auglaize and Mercer counties.
People of all ages participated in the 2009 “Stepping Up the Call” pilgrimage for vocations organized by the Sisters of the Precious Blood and Missionaries of the Precious Blood. (Photo courtesy of Precious Blood Sisters)
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Now in its seventh year, the event is a spiritually-based day that has drawn hundreds of participants of all ages from a multi-state area.
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. While 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.
The pilgrimage begins at 8:30 a.m. with morning prayer at St. Augustine. It then moves on to St. Joseph Church in Egypt, Ohio, where participants are to pray together at 11 a.m. 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 in Assumption Chapel 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 Sacred Heart in McCartyville, Ohio, and St. Mary in Philothea, Ohio.
People who wish to support the 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 are to be provided. Vans are to be available to return walking pilgrims to their vehicles.
This annual vocations pilgrimage is co-sponsored by the Sisters of the Precious Blood, Missionaries of the Precious Blood and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, with support from volunteers from parishes throughout St. Mary’s Deanery.
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For a complete pilgrimage itinerary and schedule, visit www.PreciousBloodSistersDayton.org. For more information, directions or driving stops, contact Precious Blood Sister Carolyn Hoying at 937-231-1244 or vocations@PreciousBloodSistersDayton.org or Precious Blood Father Ken Schnipke at 937-228-6224 or vocations@cpps-preciousblood.org.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 April 2010 00:00 |
