Bishop O’Connell joins Mercer pilgrims for Station Church Mass
March 27, 2025 at 10:05 a.m.
For 2025, the tradition of the Station Churches of Mercer County continues, giving parishioners and other faithful from around the Diocese an opportunity to have a prayerful pilgrimage experience during the Lenten season.
PHOTO GALLERY: Mass with Bishop in Sacred Heart, Trenton
As in past years, the participating parishes welcomes pilgrims for the celebration of Mass, offer a tour of the church building and review its history. On March 26, when pilgrims gathered for Mass in Sacred Heart Church, Trenton, they received a double welcome -- from Msgr. Dennis Apoldite, pastor, and Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
“As we continue our Lenten journey, we come together to celebrate a centuries old Roman tradition of visiting churches in our home Diocese for a special Lenten Mass,” said Bishop O’Connell, explaining that particular churches throughout the Diocese, like those in the ancient city of Rome, are designated as station churches for the Lenten season, inviting the faithful to reflect on the call to live authentically, guided by God’s law, and to be transformed “through our relationship with him.”
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the day’s First Reading which focused on the Commandments.
“Moses reminds the people that the Commandments are not just for outward observance but are meant to shape their hearts and lives,” he said. “God’s law is an invitation to deeper intimacy with him, a way to remain faithful to the covenant. The Lord’s statutes are not burdensome but are, in fact, the path to true life. To follow these laws is to live in harmony with the divine plan.”
More to come on this story.
Congregants extend the Sign of Peace during Mass. Vic Mistretta photo
Related Stories
Monday, March 31, 2025
E-Editions
Events
For 2025, the tradition of the Station Churches of Mercer County continues, giving parishioners and other faithful from around the Diocese an opportunity to have a prayerful pilgrimage experience during the Lenten season.
PHOTO GALLERY: Mass with Bishop in Sacred Heart, Trenton
As in past years, the participating parishes welcomes pilgrims for the celebration of Mass, offer a tour of the church building and review its history. On March 26, when pilgrims gathered for Mass in Sacred Heart Church, Trenton, they received a double welcome -- from Msgr. Dennis Apoldite, pastor, and Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
“As we continue our Lenten journey, we come together to celebrate a centuries old Roman tradition of visiting churches in our home Diocese for a special Lenten Mass,” said Bishop O’Connell, explaining that particular churches throughout the Diocese, like those in the ancient city of Rome, are designated as station churches for the Lenten season, inviting the faithful to reflect on the call to live authentically, guided by God’s law, and to be transformed “through our relationship with him.”
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the day’s First Reading which focused on the Commandments.
“Moses reminds the people that the Commandments are not just for outward observance but are meant to shape their hearts and lives,” he said. “God’s law is an invitation to deeper intimacy with him, a way to remain faithful to the covenant. The Lord’s statutes are not burdensome but are, in fact, the path to true life. To follow these laws is to live in harmony with the divine plan.”
More to come on this story.
Congregants extend the Sign of Peace during Mass. Vic Mistretta photo