BOSTON — One of six monstrances blessed by Pope John Paul II during the Year of the Eucharist will travel throughout the Archdiocese of Boston from March 9-17. Sixteen parishes, nine Catholic grammar and high schools, as well as six religious orders will host the monstrance throughout the nine days.

The event will promote adoration as well as raise awareness about the need to pray for vocations, according to Father Michael Harrington, assistant vocation director for the archdiocese. A novena to St. Patrick for vocations, which begins during a Holy Hour at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston on March 9 at 7 p.m., will mark the activities.

“Parishes throughout the archdiocese, schools throughout the archdiocese and religious orders throughout the archdiocese will be praying for vocations,” he said.

It is important for all Catholics to gather together at the feet of Jesus and pray for more vocations to the priesthood, he added.

The monstrance, which was one of six blessed on Nov. 24, 2004, has traveled throughout North America to promote the “Adoration for Vocations” effort worldwide. Its connection to the universal Church shows that all Catholics are bound together to form a community of prayer. The entire community is affected by the prayers and building up of each part, Father Harrington added.

The remaining monstrances were sent to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and South America.

The monstrance will start out at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston and travel on March 10 to Malden Catholic High School in Malden from 8:45-9:45 a.m., North Cambridge Catholic High School in Cambridge from 11-12 a.m., St. Paul School in Wellesley from 1-2 p.m., and St. Patrick Parish in Natick at 3 p.m., followed by all-night adoration.

The next day, Sacred Heart Parish in Middleboro from 9-10 a.m., St. Bonaventure Parish in Plymouth from 12-1 p.m., Immaculate Conception Parish in Weymouth from 2-3 p.m., Immaculate Conception Parish in Stoughton from 5-6 p.m., and St. Patrick Parish in Brockton at 7:30 p.m. through all-night adoration will host the monstrance.

On March 12 the monstrance will visit the Missionaries of Charity in Dorchester from 9-10 a.m., the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Dorchester from 10:30-11:30 a.m., the Little Sisters of the Poor in Somerville from 1-2 p.m., the Daughters of St. Paul in Jamaica Plain from 3-4 p.m. and St. Mary Parish in Dedham at 7:30 p.m. followed by all-night adoration.

St. Joseph Parish and School in Needham from 8:40-9:40 a.m., St. Brigid Parish and School in Framingham from 10-11 a.m. as well as St. Patrick Parish and School in Stoneham at noon through all-night adoration will hold adoration with the monstrance on March 13.

The monstrance will travel to St. Patrick Parish and School in Roxbury on March 14 with events from 10 a.m. through to the next morning.

The following day the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master in Boston from 8-9 a.m., Boston University in Boston from 10-11 a.m. and St. Patrick Parish in Lowell from noon till the proceeding morning will host the monstrance.

On March 16 the monstrance will go to St. Patrick Parish in Lawrence at 8:30 a.m., St. John’s Preparatory High School in Danvers from 11 a.m. till noon, Xaverian High School in Westwood from 2-3 p.m. and St. Patrick Parish in Lawrence beginning at 4 p.m. and concluding with all-night adoration.

The final day the monstrance will be at St. James the Greater Parish in Boston from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and then travel to Holy Cross Cathedral for a procession and novena prayer benediction prior to the St. Patrick’s Day Mass at noon.

For more information, call the Vocation Office at 617-746-5949 or visit www.bostonpriesthood.org.

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