St. John’s Bonfire: 40 Hours of Divine Mercy in Rapids City
St. John the Baptist Church in Rapids City will hold 40 hours of Divine Mercy beginning Monday, June 24 and concluding Sunday, June 30. Each of the seven days will begin with Mass.
This ceremony (St. John’s Bonfire) symbolizes the bright light of St. John the Baptist, who lit the way for the One who was to come after him.”
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, confession, veneration of relics, recitation of the rosary and divine mercy chaplet, benediction, and presentations from speakers will also be included throughout the week.
BLESSING OF THE BONFIRE
To mark the feast of St. John the Baptist, the ‘blessing of a bonfire’ will take place on Monday evening. An ancient tradition held on the eve of the feast day, this ceremony symbolizes the bright light of St. John the Baptist, who lit the way for the One who was to come after him and bring light to a world of darkness.
Deacon Benjamin Schoonmaker will also give a presentation on Monday evening entitled “The Wedding Feast of the Lamb Has Begun.”
Deacon Schoonmaker was recently ordained to the transitional diaconate and is from St. Mary Parish, Rock Island.
He is scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood next May after he completes his last year of study at Mundelein Seminary in Chicago.
On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, Sr. Mary Augustine of the Sisters of Reparation to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus from Steubenville, Ohio will speak. The Sisters spread the message of Divine Mercy through the talks they give across the country.
Sister Mary Augustine’s talks are entitled: ‘7 Sorrows of Our Lady and the 7 Deadly Sins’ (Tuesday); ‘Deciphering Your Inspiration’ (Wednesday); ‘Perfect Love Casts Out Fear’ (Thursday).
For more information, including the schedule for each day, go to:
https://www.stjohnstmaryqc.org/40-hours-sept-9th-procession
