Thanks to a partnership between Elisheba House, the Office of Vocations, and Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, Adorare2024 offered 40 hours of prayer from 6:00 PM on November 7th through 10:30 AM on November 9th.

In their longing for more vocations to the priesthood, religious life, the diaconate, and holy matrimony, lay and religious from throughout the diocese came together to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Even through the middle of the night, people were present in the church every hour, praying for vocations and adoring the Lord.

Long events with large amounts of coordination can sometimes be difficult to manage, but the desire for increased vocations helped many to accept the challenge. “As soon as I mentioned this was a diocesan effort to pray for vocations, I got ‘yes’ after ‘yes’! So many stepped up to help,” said Ivonne Hernandez, President of Elisheba House.

By coordinating with diocesan leaders, blocks of time were set aside for different groups such as the Spanish-speaking community, youth and young adults, and families with children to adore the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in the main sanctuary of the church. Many opportunities for Liturgy of the Hours, the rosary, silent prayer, and Mass were also offered throughout the 40 hours.

Originally unsure of what kind of turnout to expect, especially with the challenges many have experienced with recent storms, Hernandez was thrilled with the response.

“I am overjoyed! Jesus called, and the faithful of our diocese showed up! There is real spiritual power when we come together as one people, united with our bishop, in front of the Blessed Sacrament, to do what God told us– to pray for vocations, Hernandez said “The fruit will be conversion.”

Many are looking forward to continued opportunities to pray for vocations.

“I am hoping this becomes an annual event we all look forward to, and that the Lord blesses our diocese with plentiful vocations to the priesthood, religious life, the diaconate, and married life,” said Hernandez.

The impact of this first-time event has not gone unnoticed. Bishop Parkes has requested that the event be held next year at the Cathedral of St. Jude.

Please save the date for Adorare2025: November 6-8, 2025, Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle.

For more information about vocations in the diocese, visit www.dospvocations.org.

For more information about Elisheba House, visit www.elishebahouse.org.