Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., announced Feb. 20 that the Diocese of Trenton will join the worldwide Catholic community in observing 24 Hours for the Lord, an initiative requested by Pope Francis and set for March 9 and 10.
In his 2018 Lenten message, Pope Francis invited dioceses, parishes and faith communities to join him in the initiative for the second consecutive year. He asked that at least one church in each diocese remain open for 24 consecutive hours over the prescribed dates. During this time, the faithful will have the opportunity to pray before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, reserved in the tabernacle or exposed in the monstrance. Confessions will also be made available during this period.
This program, said Pope Francis, “invites the entire Church community to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the context of Eucharistic Adoration.” The theme guiding this year’s reflection is “With you is forgiveness” (Psalm 130:4).
At Bishop O’Connell’s invitation, 10 parishes in the Diocese, at least two in each of the four counties, have agreed to participate and keep their churches open March 9 and 10. Extending the sentiments of the Holy Father, Bishop O’Connell encourages the faithful of the Diocese "to take advantage of this time of special grace and penance.”
Participating parishes and their schedules are as follows (
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BURLINGTON COUNTY
St. Mary, Bordentown 45 Crosswicks Street
Adoration begins in chapel 7 a.m. Friday, March 9 and continues until 7 a.m. Saturday, March 10
Stations of the Cross in main church 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, March 9
Confessions begin 9 a.m. Friday, March 9 in rectory office and continue until 9 p.m. (Father Joseph Hlubik is delegated by Pope Francis as a Missionary of Mercy with authorization to lift any excommunication.)
St. Mary of the Lakes, Medford 40 Jackson Road
Adoration begins in church after 9 a.m. Mass Friday, March 9 and continues until 9 a.m. Mass Saturday, March 10
Rosary in church after 9 a.m. Mass Friday, March 9
Stations of the Cross in church 7:30 p.m.
Confessions begin in church after 9 a.m. Mass Friday, March 9 until 6 p.m.
MERCER COUNTY
Our Lady of Good Counsel, West Trenton 137 West Upper Ferry Road
Adoration begins in church 4 p.m. Friday, March 9 and continues until 4 p.m. Saturday, March 10
Stations of the Cross 7 p.m. Friday, March 9
Confessions begin in church 4 p.m. Friday, March 9 until 11 p.m.; Confessions resume noon Saturday, March 10 until 4 p.m.
St. Joseph, Trenton 540 North Olden Avenue
Adoration begins in church after 9 a.m. Mass on Friday, March 9 and continues until noon, Saturday, March 10
Confessions begin in church 10 a.m. Friday, March 9 and continue until noon; Confessions resume 6 until 7 p.m.; Confessions resume 10 a.m. until noon Saturday, March 10
MONMOUTH COUNTY
Holy Cross, Rumson 30 Ward Avenue
Adoration begins in church after 9 a.m. Mass Friday, March 9 and continues until 9 a.m. Saturday, March 10
Confessions begin in church 9:30 until 11 a.m. and resume in Pastor’s office 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday, March 9; Stations of the Cross in church 7 p.m. Friday, March 9
Confessions resume in church 7 until 11 p.m., Friday, March 9; Confessions continue in church 7 a.m. until 9 a.m., Saturday, March 10
Nativity, Fair Haven 180 Ridge Road
Adoration begins in church noon Friday, March 9 and continues until noon Saturday, March 10
Lenten Meal in Hall, 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 9
Stations of the Cross, 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 9
Confessions begin noon and continue until 9 p.m., Friday, March 9; Confessions resume 6 a.m., Saturday, March 10 and continue until noon
St. Mary Mother of God, Middletown 19 Cherry Tree Farm Road
Adoration begins in church 7 p.m. Friday, March 9 and continues until 7 p.m. Saturday, March 10
Confessions begin in church 7 p.m. Friday, March 9 and continue until 7 p.m. Saturday, March 10
St. Michael, West End 800 Ocean Avenue
Adoration begins in church 9 a.m. Friday, March 9 and continues until 9 a.m. Saturday, March 10
Lenten Soup and Salad Supper in Church Hall, 6 p.m. Friday, March 9
Stations of the Cross, 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 9
Confessions begin 1 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. Friday, March 9; Confessions resume 6 a.m. Saturday, March 10 and continue until 9 a.m.
OCEAN COUNTY
St. Martha, Point Pleasant 3800 Herbertsville Road
Adoration begins in church 8:30 a.m. Friday, March 9 and continues until 9:15 a.m. Saturday, March 10
Confessions begin in church 9 a.m. Friday, March 9 and continue until 9 a.m. Saturday, March 10
St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Lavallette 103 Washington Avenue
Adoration begins in chapel 10 a.m. Friday, March 9 and continues until 10 a.m. Saturday, March 10
Stations of the Cross in chapel 6 p.m. Friday, March 9
Confessions begin in chapel 5 until 9 p.m. Friday, March 9; Confessions continue in chapel 8 until 10 a.m., Saturday, March 10