SETTING UP AND RUNNING A VIGIL

0. First, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT, EVER get discouraged by the turnout. To get discouraged is the work of the devil trying to get you to quit. Don’t give in to him. Even if only ONE person shows up and it’s you, your heart will be transformed and you will receive many graces from God for not only attending, but for leading the effort and organizing the vigil. He will be so pleased with you! I have been advised by various spiritual directors who ALL said this same thing to me. Pray a Memorari every day for its fruitfulness and success and get others to join you.

1. Get permission from Pastor. This will be the biggest obstacle to starting a Vigil. If the Pastor says “no,” then you cannot proceed. You need his permission. If he says “no,” try the following:

a. Explain to him that this is a lay apostolate and his involvement will be little; perhaps a mass here and there until the Vigil builds up whereby you have a pool of priests to draw from to celebrate the mass. Some pastors feel so overwhelmed with their duties that they might feel that the work will fall on their shoulders. Reassure him that the work will mainly be done by the laity.

b. Perhaps the pastor will say “not now, or wait.” Then be patient, pray for him to change his mind, and follow-up with him every now and then. Be persistent but patient.

c. If the pastor is simply not open to the idea, then have a group of people pray for him regularly that he will change his mind and be open. There was one priest that was completely closed to the idea of Eucharistic Adoration. A group prayed for him for nine years and he finally came around. Now he is their biggest supporter. God sometimes has us wait. Sometimes it is the evil one trying the thwart God’s plan.

2. Formulate schedule throughout the night – See our Vigil Schedule.

3. Create flyer to hang up in area churches – See a sample flyer.

4. Put ads in area church bulletins – See a sample bulletin ad.

5. Give talk at masses or have the pastor give speech of the Vigil’s importance and purpose.

6. Make an announcement at the masses at least once a month reminding people to attend the Vigil. See sample of announcement.

7. Have sign-up at the end of masses and at the Vigil for adorers throughout the night. – See a sample sign-up sheet.

8. Arrange an organist for the opening mass.

9. Arrange a priest for the mass(es) and a Deacon for the Benediction if there is no closing mass.

10. Get a vigil team together. This team will meet once a month the week following the vigil to assess the vigil, make recommendations for improvements, distribute tasks to members to facilitate the next vigil, review previous months objectives and tasks. See sample of Vigil meeting form. The team members will also cover part of the night and serve as prayer leaders for their hour(s). That is, they will lead the prayers from the pulpit during their covered hours.

11. Arrange for alter boys for the opening mass.

12. Arrange for a lector for the mass(es) to do the reading and psalm.

13. Arrange, if necessary, a Eucharistic Minister to help the priest at communion time.

14. Arrange, if necessary, two people to take up a collection at the masses.

15. Prepare petitions for the mass(es) – See sample petitions.

16. Get a binder with adorer sign-in/sign-out sheets. See sample of sign-in sheets.

17. Get the Knights of Columbus involved for back-up support and security. The role of the K of C members will be to participate fully in the Vigil but also to be available to walk someone to their car if necessary and to handle any security issues that may arise.

18. Invite other priests to come celebrate the mass.

19. Prepare prayer packets to distribute at the Vigils. See the section on this website which shows the Vigil prayers. You may view and print these prayers for use at your Vigil.

20. Send email the week of the Vigil to adorers with attached list of adorers. See sample email. and schedule.

21. Send email the week of the vigil to the Knights of Columbus Vigil members with attached list of K of C adorer schedule. See Sample email and adorer schedule.

22. Send email the week of the Vigil to adorers reminding them which prayers they are leading. (optional)

23. Send email the week of the Vigil to the Deacon reminding him to do the Benediction at the Vigil. See Sample email.

24. Send email the week of the Vigil to Vigil email list. The Vigil email list is like a mailing list. Instead of mailing out current information about the Vigil and happenings through traditional mail, it is accomplished, instead, in an email. See sample. Have people sign-up to be on the emailing list at the Vigil.

25. Send email the week of the Vigil to the Priest reminding him that he is celebrating the mass at the upcoming Vigil. See sample of email to priests.

26. Advertise your Vigil in the Catholic newspapers, local papers, and local Catholic radio station.

27. Arrange for a stipend to be paid to the priests celebrating mass. $35-$50 is customary.

28. You may want to give a stipend to the organist. The collection taken up at mass will be helpful in this endeavor.

29. Once the Vigil is over, send a thank-you note in the mail to the celebrating priest thanking him.