Students praying for 24 hours at St. Mary’s University Parish

Prayer has always been a central part of the Christian and Catholic faith.

For 24 hours, students at St. Mary’s University Parish, 1405 S. Washington St., are praying for life.

Pastoral Associate Jeremy Priest said the prayers, which end at 8:45 p.m. today, will focus on abortion and abortion-related issues, such as the hope for a health care proposal without abortion coverage.

“We’re praying for the intention of life,” Priest said. “It’s rudimentary biology that life begins at conception. There is a new human life there that is neither the fathers or the mothers.”

Members of the church arranged a 24-hour prayer vigil that started at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Priest said the church does the vigil the first Tuesday and Wednesday of each month.

“This isn’t just a prayer vigil — it’s 24 hours of eucharistic adoration,” Priest said.

The prayer

During Tuesday night’s Mass, Rev. Will Prospero exposed the blessed Sacrament. The blessed Sacrament, or the host, is the bread that receives Eucharistic consecration, or blessing.

Priest said during Mass, the Sacrament is transformed into the body and blood of Christ. It is then exposed in a metal container, called the monstrance, to be adored throughout the night.

Priest said at least two students at a time take turns worshipping in one-hour slots.

He said about 48 students are participating and are welcome to pray however they want.

Montague senior Joshua Morgan signed up for two time slots — 2:30-3:30 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Morgan said although he is constantly busy, as a college student, he is looking forward to meditation.

“It’s a way to go to God,” Morgan said. “You get to run to God for this moment and feel the unconditional love poured out.”

‘Very peaceful’

Dexter senior Peter Lawrence said he would be participating between 1:30-2:30 a.m. this morning.

Lawrence believes Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.

“It’s very peaceful, especially at night,” Lawrence said.

The doors were locked from midnight to 7 a.m. and students slept in the church’s library and lounge.

Prospero said the church was originally just going to do it once, but started doing the vigil permanently after students gave positive feedback.

“Every time we do it, there’s a greater feeling of joy in the parish,” Prospero said. “I look forward to it every month.”

Priest said the early morning hours between midnight and 7 a.m. are usually the fastest to fill up.

He said Joseph Cistone, the bishop of Saginaw, will close the 24-hour period with benediction.