Vigil of All Saints Makes Debut in Baltimore

In celebration of the Feast of All Saints, over one hundred of the faithful gathered at SS. Philip & James University Parish in Baltimore on Halloween night. The inspiration for the event was rooted in the success of the “All Saint’s Night Vigil” at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington D.C. The Dominican friars’ prayer service, the first of its kind in the city of Baltimore, included the sharing of stories about the lives of the saints; the singing of hymns and musical responsories; preaching; and the chanting of the Divine Office. In conclusion there was a candlelight procession that moved throughout the church. Those in this prayerful procession stopped to incense each altar, statue, and icon before reaching the central altar of sacrifice, upon which rested the relics of many of the saints. The vigil drew a diverse group of the faithful – college students from Johns Hopkins University and other Baltimore-area colleges, young adults from the Baltimore Frassati Fellowship, parishioners from SS. Philip and James and nearby churches, as well as members of local religious communities. A committee composed of members of the Baltimore Frassati Fellowship and the Johns Hopkins Catholic Community spent over a month planning and organizing the event, under the direction of the Catholic chaplain at Johns Hopkins, Fr. John Paul Walker, O.P., and the Pastoral Administrator of SS. Philip & James, Fr. David Mott, O.P. After the vigil, those in attendance gathered in the church hall for a festive reception. Given the huge success of this first vigil and the excitement generated among the participants, plans are already in place to make this an annual event at SS. Philip & James. Below is a time-lapse video of the All Saints vigil at the Dominican House of Studies. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry6PMrHqlwU&w=560&h=315]