Good Morning,
I come before you today to ask you to seriously consider coming to our First Friday Vigil of Love right here in our church.

Why come to this Vigil and specifically this mass?  The term Vigil means “To keep awake…both physically and spiritually.” We only need to look at our world today to see its moral decay. Life, Marriage, Families, and the Clergy are being severely attacked. The late Fr. John Hardon said, “Only heroic Catholic families will survive; Ordinary Catholic families will fade away.” To be ordinary today in the practice of the faith is not enough to combat forces which assail us and the secularism that’s all around us. Strong Catholic families are being called to evangelize the rest of mankind.  The power of prayer can transform our society into one which hears the Word of God in our lives and puts it into practice. At this vigil, we pray for: LIFE, MARRIAGE, FAMILY, PRIESTS and RELIGIOUS.

Some may ask why so late? Mass at 10 pm, prayers at 3 am, Benediction at 6:45 am.  It’s in the mystery of the cross and sacrifice where the treasure and fruit lie which leads to one’s own sanctification and the transformation of our culture. Jesus’ sacrifice and suffering on the cross brought about the redemption of mankind. Our Lady of Fatima calls for penance, penance, penance. Wouldn’t you say the staying up late is good penance?

We also pray at this time to imitate Jesus who prayed late into the night in the Garden of Gesthemine.

Jesus spent the night in prayer before every important decision or endeavor. Some examples: when he was about to begin his public ministry; when he was about to select the twelve apostles who would later lead the Church; and the night before His Passion, he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemine.

The characteristics of the prayer of Jesus was typically frequent, at night, alone, intense, and lengthy.

Furthermore, it is a time when most people are available and do not have work or family obligations inhibiting them from attending.

Also, our Lord said to Sr. Faustina that “anyone who prays the chaplet whenever the 3 o’clock hour strikes will receive special favors and great graces. An ocean of mercy is opened at the 3 o’clock hour. I will not deny anyone their requests who prays the chaplet at 3 o’clock.” He didn’t say at 1pm or 6pm, but whenever the clock strikes 3

Call to mind, that 10 pm was not too late to be at a party, or 6 am too early to go get your morning Starbucks coffee.  To sacrifice a bit of sleep for our Lord and these intentions is exactly the medicine that is needed to kill the maladies which infect our country.

We need you and your prayers.  Of course, one is not expected to come the whole time, but for only one hour. The more hearts that are transformed, the more our country will be transformed and Americans will then follow God's plan, NOT our plan, but God’s plan for marriage, for the family, for life, and for ourselves.

Why adoration of the Blessed Sacrament?  It is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ and it leads to holiness and the transformation of one’s heart. St. Alphonsus Ligouri says, "Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest, after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most efficacious to one's sanctity."

The presence of the risen Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is a wondrous gift which God has given us.  How our reverence and devotion for Him would grow if only we would be more faithful in this loving and fervent practice!   The more you go before the Blessed Sacrament, the more you are drawn to it. Try it and see for yourself. This is the Year of the Eucharist.  Please take time to be with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

We owe God our life with all its joys and sorrows. After all, He not only gave US life, but He gave us HIS life as well, and for that we should be eternally grateful. 

We are ALL called to be saints, not just a few.  Do you want to be a saint? Our Dear Lord has made it an attainable goal for EVERYONE to reach.  LIFE IS SHORT, DON'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY.  If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.