On November 24, 2004 Pope John Paul II blessed six monstrances – one for each continent – in honor of the Year of the Eucharist. The monstrance destined for North America has been traveling throughout the United States and Canada on its year-long tour promoting Eucharistic Adoration and also to encourage prayers for vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life.

     The USA Council of Serra International, a Catholic organization of lay men and women dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood and the religious life, has been in charge of handling the tour schedule for the monstrance. The blessed monstrance was present at a regional convention of the Serra Club in Ventura, California during the weekend of September 10-11. Fr. Thomas Dome, C.R.I.C. was invited to do the Benediction at the conclusion of the convention on Sunday, September 11.

     While the monstrance is waiting to be shipped to the next location where it will be used for Eucharistic Adoration, the Serra Club graciously permitted the Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception to use the monstrance for the remainder of the Sunday, September 11, for use in our own chapel at the Dom Gréa House in Santa Paula, California. With a short notice, 18 people joined us for three hours of Eucharistic Adoration as we prayed for vocations. We thank our Lord for this special grace and also Serra International for their kind consideration in our regard.