Adoration at the Capitol to include Bishop Felton April 10, several bishops May 1

Minnesota’s Catholic bishops are joining the faithful at Adoration at the Capitol this year, with Bishop Daniel Felton of Duluth scheduled for the 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. opportunity April 10. The five-hour adoration in the basement level of the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul brings prayer into the public square. Jason Adkins, executive director and general counsel of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, has said it is a chance to pray for elected officials and for all Minnesotans in a time of deep turmoil, conflict and partisanship. More than 200 adorers participated when Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Bishops Michael Izen and Kevin Kenney opened the effort March 6. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 1, Bishops Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Andrew Cozzens of Crookston, Patrick Neary of St. Cloud and Chad Zielinski of New Ulm will worship with the faithful. Deacon Kevin Conneely, MCC’s legislative chaplain, helped lead the March 6 prayers and wrote a reflection about the experience for The Catholic Spirit: On March 6, The Minnesota Catholic Conference hosted the first of three monthly opportunities for adoration of the Eucharist at the Minnesota State Capitol. Throughout the day, well over 200 adorers came in and out, silently praying before the Blessed Sacrament. Archbishop Bernard Hebda opened the morning with exposition and the beautiful “O Salutaris Hostia.” We were fortunate to have the use of a monstrance blessed by Pope Benedict XVI, on loan to us from our Serran chapter. After some quiet meditation, the archbishop led us as we recited (the late) Pope Benedict (XVI)’s prayer for vocations. Bishop Michael Izen joined us and prayed in silence during the middle of the day. Bishop Kevin Kenney arrived after the lunch hour, and we closed out our time together by praying and singing the Benediction. Our voices rose through the stone walls, finding their way in echoes up through the rotunda and into the whole building. Throughout the day, I was heartened to see retired couples, numerous Capitol workers, parents with their young children, and Minnesota clergy members pray together. Several adorers told me, “This is the first time I have ever been inside this building.” Imagine that: Lifelong Minnesotans living in the Twin Cities are making their first visit to the center of civic government to pray! Shortly before we prayed the Angelus at noon, I offered a short reflection about the room where we gathered. Its full name is “L’Etoile du Nord Vault.” That’s French for Star of the North. Capitol regulars just call it “The Vault.” The room’s arches overhead forming a perfect circle, its placement in the very center of the lower level, and its thick walls make that a fitting name. In the architectural sense, the word “vault” refers to one or more arches formed in a ceiling that is typical of churches and important public buildings. I noted that, by bringing Christ inside the Capitol and gathering in prayer, we were checking both of those architectural boxes. In another definition, “vault” refers to a secure room, such as in a bank, where things of great value are stored and actively guarded. What could be of greater value than encountering Christ, the one true light, present in that monstrance before us? Stated a different way, what could be more important to protect than the shared faith in God that brought so many Catholics out on that rainy Friday to pray for our government? Our government officials — the governor, Supreme Court justices, and members of both houses of the Legislature — do their work on the floors rising above The Vault. They have difficult jobs, and they receive plenty of criticism. Every day, a new controversy or issue threatens to widen the divide in civic life and to obscure the common good. Everyone working in Minnesota’s state government needs our prayers now more than ever. There will be two more Friday dates for Adoration at the Capitol: April 10 and May 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details, including parking options, can be found at mncatholic.org. I encourage everyone (especially first-timers to this beautiful public building) to schedule some extra time to head upstairs, stand in the rotunda directly above The Vault, or even take a guided or self-guided building tour. Jesus met people where they were: collecting taxes, at the well, in the city center, on the road. On behalf of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, I invite you to come in April and May to the Capitol and see the true Star of the North — to meet Jesus in The Vault.