Seminarians offer fall series of Vigil Praise services
By Danielle Yuthas

If you’re a young adult interested in a sacramental Saturday night, seminarians of the Denver Archdiocese have a stirring liturgy to offer you.

Young adults are invited to a series of Vigil Praise services hosted by seminarians that include contemporary worship music, Divine Office prayer, Eucharistic adoration and confession followed by fellowship at the John Paul II Center.

Seminarians of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary have organized the services to provide an opportunity for young people to worship and meet one another. The fall Vigil Praise services will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Sept. 20, Oct. 24, Nov. 15 and Dec. 6.

Based on previous years’ attendance, Christ the King Chapel of the John Paul II Center will be packed with up to 300 college students and young adults for the services.

All ages are welcome, but the opportunity especially gives college students and young adults a chance to build community.

“It has always been a way for the seminary to reach out to young adults in the archdiocese,” said seminarian Matthew Henry, who is a third year theology student from the Diocese of Phoenix, Ariz. “It also gives the young people in the community a chance to see our seminary and meet the seminarians.”

St. John Vianney Theological Seminary is one of two seminaries operated by the Denver Archdiocese that form men for the Catholic priesthood. Founded in 1999, its programs are of spiritual, intellectual, pastoral and human formation in order to help prospective priests with vocation discernment and commitment. The seminary is affiliated with the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, Italy. Education programs include a pre-theology program of studies, the sacred theology bachelor’s degree and the master of divinity degree.

Vigil Praise is a tradition that began because seminarians wanted to expand their weekly overnight eucharistic vigil with extra worship and music, which led to the formation of a praise and worship band. The event went public and struck a chord with young adults.

Henry is a musician in the praise and worship band with men from Denver, Colorado Springs and Myanmar. He has played the guitar since he was 15 years old. He said he loves playing for the Vigil Praise services.

“I am always humbled at the prayerfulness of the people, their devotion in singing and their reverence for the Lord,” he said. “I love that I am able to use a particular talent God has given me to provide an outlet for people to meet the Lord and to pray in this way.

“Hopefully,” he added, “we have made Vigil Praise a space for a true encounter with the Lord. Vigil Praise continues to be this place of encounter, of healing, of fellowship.”
The John Paul II Center is located at 1300 S. Steele St. in southeast Denver.