The Vigil

As Catholics we are often asked by others to explain our faith. People ask, “What does it mean to be a Catholic?”, “Why is the Pope important?”, “What is benediction?”

The Papal Vigil provides Catholics in England, Scotland and Wales the chance not only to celebrate their faith but to explain it and demonstrate how it influences their lives and the lives of those around them. It has three parts:

1. An entrance procession by diocese led by a contingent of their diocesan youth and then comprised of a banner-carrying representative from each parish and members of some Catholic organisations from the diocese;
2. An hour’s presentation entitled, “The heart of the Church”, which will illustrate the life of the Church under four headings: a heart that sees, a heart that understands, a heart that serves and a heart that seeks justice;
3. The Vigil liturgy, consisting of a Liturgy of the Word, a period of guided prayer during adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and concluding with benediction.

The theme of the Visit, “Heart speaks unto heart”, is also the theme of the Vigil with a two-fold significance: the heart of God speaking to each person’s heart through the proclamation of God’s word and through the intimacy of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament; and the heart of the Church and how it lives amid the heart of our society. The former is celebrated and realised in the liturgy of the Vigil, the latter in the presentation which precedes it. As a whole, we hope that the Vigil will succeed in showing that the two are inseparable.

As part of the Holy Father’s State Visit, “The Heart of the Church” presentation will show how the work of the Catholic agencies and charities not only serves the Catholic community but also provides a public benefit, working for the common good.

Aims of the Vigil

1. For people to welcome and pray with Pope Benedict XVI, their bishops and with one another.
2. To lead people to an encounter with Jesus Christ through hearing his Word and worshiping his presence in the Blessed Sacrament;
3. To celebrate and witness to the joy of being a follower of Jesus Christ and of Catholic life;
4. To celebrate how Catholics serve our countries, provide a public benefit and contribute to the common good;
5. To present the modern face of Catholicism in the UK through community participation in the event.

Proposed Post Event Outcomes

1. For attendees to leave the event filled with the joy of being followers of Jesus Christ as members of the Catholic Church;
2. To inspire and encourage attendees in their ongoing Christian journey by creating life-long memories to sustain them in the days that follow;
3. That people go back to their communities as commissioned home missionaries, to carry and share the light of Christ;

That the material presented as part of the event will be used post the 18th September in support of catechesis, youth ministry, local and national evangelisation (e.g. through DVD production and the creation of a photograph, stories and testimonies archive).

A Nation at Prayer

It is also hoped that the Vigil will be participated in by people outside the Park, throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The media office are currently working to broadcast the images from the Park to Cathedrals, parishes and homes so that the evening of 18th September will witness a nation at prayer.