ARCHDIOCESE — The vocations monstrance blessed by Pope John Paul II in 2005 to stimulate prayer for vocations will be on display at several parishes in the archdiocese beginning in February.

The aim, according to Father Kyle Schnippel, director of vocations for the archdiocese, is that each parish displaying the monstrance — one of six that Pope John Paul blessed for vocations — will create a special day of prayer for vocations. The monstrance, which is maintained by Serra International, has been displayed at dioceses throughout the nation since it was delivered to the United States in 2005.

A monstrance is an exposition case and stand used to display the Eucharist for adoration.

CNS FILE PHOTO

The vocations monstrance blessed by Pope John Paul II for North America is maintained by Serra International.

The monstrance was given to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops by the Vatican which was promoting eucharistic adorations and expositions as a way of praying for vocations during the 2004-05 Year of the Eucharist declared by the pope.

The monstrance is one of six blessed by the pope.

Each monstrance was sent to a different region of the world as a symbol of the connection between the Eucharist and priestly vocations.

The six regions given a monstrance are: the United States and Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific.

"Most of the parishes that signed up to display the monstrance already have groups dedicated to promoting vocations, and they jumped on board right away," he said. Beginning Feb. 15, 16 parishes, the Athenaeum of Ohio and the Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center in Norwood will display the monstrance.

"People are drawn to Christ in the Eucharist," Father Schnippel said. "One of the few things Christ said to pray for in the Gospels was as Master of the Harvest, seeking to send laborers into the fields."

Schedule for vocations monstrance in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati:

Feb. 15 and 16: Holy Spirit Center, Norwood.
Feb. 17: St. Rita Parish, Dayton.
Feb. 18: St. Mary of the Woods, Russels Point.
Feb. 19: St. Ann, Groesbeck.
Feb. 20: St. Rose, Cincinnati.
Feb. 21: St. John the Baptist, Tipp City.
Feb. 22: St. Jude, Bridgetown.
Feb. 23: St. Margaret of York, Loveland.
Feb. 24: St. Joseph, Dayton.
Feb. 25: St. Remy, Russia.
Feb. 26: Holy Redeemer, New Bremen.
Feb. 27: St. Michael, Ft. Loramie.
Feb. 28: St. Vivian, Finneytown.
Feb. 29: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Reading.
March 1: Incarnation, Centerville.
March 2: St. Mary, Hyde Park.
March 3: Our Lady of Victory, Delhi.
March 4: The Athenaeum of Ohio.