Night Watch Prayer Vigil
April 17 @ 7:00 pm – 11:59 pm
On Thursday of Holy Week the Church remembers Christ’s Last Supper with his apostles and sets the scene for what will happen the next day, Good Friday. After the distribution of Holy Communion the priest places the Blessed Sacrament on the altar. A procession is then formed in which the Blessed Sacrament, accompanied by torches and incense, is carried through the church to a place of repose prepared in the chapel. The faithful are invited to continue adoration before the Blessed Sacrament between 7 p.m. and midnight. This tradition of adoring Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday is often called the “Night Watch” and recalls how Jesus invited his apostles to stay with him while he prayed. You are welcome to stay after the Maundy Thursday service for the Prayer Vigil. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 401 Live Oak Ave., Pensacola.
