Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., announced Feb. 20 that the Diocese of Trenton will join the worldwide Catholic community in observing 24 Hours for the Lord, an initiative requested by Pope Francis and set for March 9 and 10.

In his 2018 Lenten message, Pope Francis invited dioceses, parishes and faith communities to join him in the initiative for the second consecutive year.  He asked that at least one church in each diocese  remain open for 24 consecutive hours over the prescribed dates.  During this time, the faithful will have the opportunity to pray before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, reserved in the tabernacle or exposed in the monstrance. Confessions will also be made available during this period.

This program, said Pope Francis, “invites the entire Church community to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the context of Eucharistic Adoration.”  The theme guiding this year’s reflection is “With you is forgiveness” (Psalm 130:4). 

At Bishop O’Connell’s invitation, 10 parishes in the Diocese, at least two in each of the four counties, have agreed to participate and keep their churches open March 9 and 10.  Extending the sentiments of the Holy Father, Bishop O’Connell encourages the faithful of the Diocese "to take advantage of this time of special grace and penance.”

Participating parishes and their schedules are as follows:

BURLINGTON COUNTY

St. Mary, Bordentown
45 Crosswicks Street

Adoration begins in chapel 7 a.m. Friday, March 9 and continues until 7 a.m. Saturday, March 10

Stations of the Cross in main church 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, March 9

Confessions begin 9 a.m. Friday, March 9 in rectory office and continue until 9 p.m.  (Father Joseph Hlubik is delegated by Pope Francis as a Missionary of Mercy with authorization to lift any excommunication.)

St. Mary of the Lakes, Medford
40 Jackson Road

Adoration begins in church after 9 a.m. Mass Friday, March 9 and continues until 9 a.m. Mass Saturday, March 10

Rosary in church after 9 a.m. Mass Friday, March 9

Stations of the Cross in church 7:30 p.m.

Confessions begin in church after 9 a.m. Mass Friday, March 9 until 6 p.m.

MERCER COUNTY

Our Lady of Good Counsel, West Trenton
137 West Upper Ferry Road

Adoration begins in church 4 p.m. Friday, March 9 and continues until 4 p.m. Saturday, March 10

Stations of the Cross 7 p.m. Friday, March 9

Confessions begin in church 4 p.m. Friday, March 9 until 11 p.m.; Confessions resume noon Saturday, March 10 until 4 p.m.

St. Joseph, Trenton
540 North Olden Avenue

Adoration begins in church after 9 a.m. Mass on Friday, March 9 and continues until noon, Saturday, March 10

Confessions begin in church 10 a.m. Friday, March 9 and continue until noon; Confessions resume 6 until 7 p.m.; Confessions resume 10 a.m. until noon Saturday, March 10

MONMOUTH COUNTY

Holy Cross, Rumson
30 Ward Avenue

Adoration begins in church after 9 a.m. Mass Friday, March 9 and continues until 9 a.m. Saturday, March 10

Confessions begin in church 9:30 until 11 a.m. and resume in Pastor’s office 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday, March 9; Stations of the Cross in church 7 p.m. Friday, March 9

Confessions resume in church 7 until 11 p.m., Friday, March 9; Confessions continue in church 7 a.m. until 9 a.m., Saturday, March 10

Nativity, Fair Haven
180 Ridge Road

Adoration begins in church noon Friday, March 9 and continues until noon Saturday, March 10

Lenten Meal in Hall, 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 9

Stations of the Cross, 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 9

Confessions begin noon and continue until 9 p.m., Friday, March 9; Confessions resume 6 a.m., Saturday, March 10 and continue until noon

St. Mary Mother of God, Middletown
19 Cherry Tree Farm Road

Adoration begins in church 7 p.m. Friday, March 9 and continues until 7 p.m. Saturday, March 10

Confessions begin in church 7 p.m. Friday, March 9 and continue until 7 p.m. Saturday, March 10

St. Michael, West End
800 Ocean Avenue

Adoration begins in church 9 a.m. Friday, March 9 and continues until 9 a.m. Saturday, March 10

Lenten Soup and Salad Supper in Church Hall, 6 p.m. Friday, March 9

Stations of the Cross, 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 9

Confessions begin 1 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. Friday, March 9; Confessions resume 6 a.m. Saturday, March 10 and continue until 9 a.m.

OCEAN COUNTY

St. Martha, Point Pleasant
3800 Herbertsville Road

Adoration begins in church 8:30 a.m. Friday, March 9 and continues until 9:15 a.m. Saturday, March 10

Confessions begin in church 9 a.m. Friday, March 9 and continue until 9 a.m. Saturday, March 10

St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Lavallette
103 Washington Avenue

Adoration begins in chapel 10 a.m. Friday, March 9 and continues until 10 a.m. Saturday, March 10

Stations of the Cross in chapel 6 p.m. Friday, March 9

Confessions begin in chapel 5 until 9 p.m. Friday, March 9; Confessions continue in chapel 8 until 10 a.m., Saturday, March 10