‘Vocations Monstrance’ comes to Northern Idaho

The Vocations Monstrance, blessed by the late St. Pope John Paul II, adorns the Holy Family Catholic School’s Adoration Chapel altar in Coeur d’ Alene. (Courtesy Photo/ Jason Chavez)

By Lisa Ormond

for the ICR

A monstrance holds and displays the Blessed Sacrament during Eucharistic Adoration.

The “Vocations Monstrance,” blessed by Pope St. John Paul II for the increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life, is making its way through Northern Idaho on a historic 17-stop journey from Mar. 20 to Apr. 13.

This is the first time the Vocations Monstrance has traveled to Idaho.

“We are so grateful to have the use of the Pope St. John Paul II Monstrance in our state, and it will bear fruit here,” said Paul Grayheck, a member of the Serra Club of North Idaho, the group responsible for bringing the monstrance to the diocese and coordinating its tour. The Serra Club of North Idaho (serranorthidaho.org) is an organization of Catholic men and women who, through the intercession of St. Junipero Serra, promote and support vocations to the Catholic priesthood and religious life.

A Pope’s Sacred Legacy

In 2004, during the Year of the Eucharist, Pope John Paul II blessed only six monstrances for vocations prayer, one for each continent. The monstrances were designated specifically for Eucharistic Adoration.

The late Holy Father presented the North American Continent Monstrance to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In turn, the USCCB provided the monstrance to Serra Clubs throughout the U.S. to fulfill the pope’s request that they be used in local parishes so all Catholics would come together to pray for vocations.

“Adoration is a powerful prayer tool when we specifically pray to God to steer the hearts of young people to respond to His call,” said Father Mariusz Majewski, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Coeur d’Alene.

Embracing the Mission

Dianna Decker is president of the Serra Club of North Idaho.

The 47-member organization was commissioned by Bishop Peter F. Christensen in 2016 to promote and support vocations, especially to the priesthood.

“The hope is that the visit of the monstrance will generate vocations,” she said. “If we don’t have a priest consecrating at the altar, we don’t have a Church.”

Father Mariusz noted, “If something is blessed, it is dedicated to God, and when it is blessed by a saint, it acquires a very special spiritual meaning.”

Students kneel in quiet contemplation during Eucharistic Adoration before the Vocations Monstrance in their school chapel. It was available for viewing at Holy Family Catholic School on Feb. 26 and 27. (Courtesy Photo/ Jason Chavez)

CdA Catholic School Kicks Off Vocations Monstrance Tour

Holy Family Catholic School (HFCS) in Coeur d’Alene was the first stop for the traveling monstrance on Feb. 26 and 27. It was warmly welcomed and had a spiritually profound impact on their community, especially the students.

“I gave God glory and praised Him because many children, parents, and staff were sitting with Christ throughout those two days,” said Campus Minister Jason Chavez, who oversaw Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the school’s Adoration chapel.

“The reverent atmosphere of the chapel created a space where students could bring their intentions, gratitude and spiritual needs directly before the Lord,” Chavez said.

The students were deeply moved by the experience of having the special monstrance before them. “I felt a really nice calmness wash over me—like all my anxiety, guilt and shame was immediately put to rest,” said eighth grader Hagan Weiss.

For sixth grader Lucas Antonich, it was pure delight and excitement. “This is so cool because it was blessed by a saint!”

Other students felt a spiritual connection and acceptance. “I felt during Adoration we were a family, and we were whole,” said eighth grader Oliver Hacket.

Campus minister Jason Chavez felt the Spirit move in a new way. “His love and His mercy just poured out upon us,” he said. “In the end, one word came to mind that had been spoken many times: revival.”

Uniting for Faith

For the long-term sustainability of vocations to the priesthood and religious life in Idaho, Catholic schools, families and parish communities will play a key role in fostering and supporting those vocations, said Decker and Father Mariusz.

“We have got to promote more vocations in the family. Parents are the first to expose their children to the Catholic faith. Parents help cultivate that love of the Lord and the desire to serve,” offered Decker.

This sentiment was echoed by Father Mariusz, who was an Idaho seminarian and was ordained for the Diocese of Boise in 2008. He’s been a priest for 17 years.

“I’m really filled with hope. I see at St. Thomas a lot of young boys who are saying, ‘Maybe I’ll be a priest?’They are not shy about talking about the vocation,” said Majewski.

Don’t Miss Out!

Catholics across the state are invited and encouraged to pray for vocations at parishes hosting Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with the Pope St. John Paul II Monstrance. Participants are invited to pray not only for future vocations, but also for all priests of the Diocese of Boise.

St. Stanislaus Church, Rathdrum

Sunday, March 23

10:15 a.m. through

Monday, March 24 7:45 a.m.

St. Joseph Church, Spirit Lake

Thursday, April 3, 2025 

9 a.m. through

Friday, April 4, 2025 at 9 a.m.

St. George Church, Post Falls

Friday April 4, 2025

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

St. Catherine Church, Priest River

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

10 a.m. -11 a.m.

St. Joseph Church, Sandpoint

Friday, April 11, 2025

12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

St. Blanche Church, Priest Lake

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

St. Ann Church, Bonners Ferry

Saturday, April 12, 2025

4 p.m.- 5 p.m.

Sunday, April 13, 2025

8 a.m. - 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. - Noon

For more information about Serra of North Idaho, visit serranorthidaho.org.