By Lois Rogers | Correspondent

When Pope Francis called on faithful around the world to join in the second annual 24 Hours for the Lord initiative, he asked that at least one church in each diocese open its doors around the clock for Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation March 9 and 10.

That request was honored across the Trenton Diocese as parishes in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties accepted the invitation from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., to “take advantage of this special time of grace and penance.”

Photo Gallery: 24 Hours for the Lord

In parishes from Middletown, in the northern tip of the Diocese, to the state capital, to those along the Delaware, faithful prayed without ceasing before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and sought Reconciliation reflected in this year’s theme, “With You Is Forgiveness.” (Psalm 130:4)

In Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Ewing, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament began at 4 p.m. March 9 and continued until 4 p.m. March 10 and was steadily attended, said Father Michael Hall, parish administrator, who prayed with the faithful and stopped by regularly throughout the vigil.

“I kept popping my head in throughout the night, and people were there,” said Father Hall, director of the diocesan Office of Worship. “A lot of people came for Confession after morning Mass, and we had a wonderful response from priests throughout who came to hear Confession,” which was available for seven hours Friday and four hours Saturday.

Among the priests who assisted with Confession was Msgr. John Dermond, a senior priest of the Diocese.

Msgr. Dermond, who also heard Confessions in St. Joseph Church, Trenton, where morning Mass drew scores of parishioners, described the 24-initiative as a Lenten blessing for the faithful.

“The focus was on the Lord in the Sacrament and on mercy and love in Confession. It was a celebration of love. A good celebration, a very big help to people to have this time,” he said.

Among those who made the most of that time were sisters Rose Ferri and Barbara Kent, lifelong members of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish.

They were in and out of the church throughout the initiative, attending Confession and praying the Stations of the Cross on Friday and returning in the middle of the night for Eucharistic Adoration, which they described as an important part of their lives.

“We attend every Monday between noon and 1 p.m.,” said Kent of Eucharistic Adoration, noting that she and her sister decided to take the 4 a.m. hour Saturday since they are typically awake at that time.

The sisters said the initiative provided a wonderful opportunity to “listen to the Lord, especially during Lent. It offered [faithful a chance] for renewal of faith,” Kent said.

Ferri said she always seeks Jesus’ mercy when in his presence for adoration, especially during Lent. Confession, she said, “gives you the chance to start fresh and clean, to experience God’s Mercy.”

Added Kent, “When you go to Confession, it just makes you float.”