Pilgrim Detour - Vespers at Shrine of the Little Flower Royal Oak

A vespers service celebrating the Feast of Saint Therese, the Little Flower, prompted me to make a return visit to Shrine Church in Royal Oak. This wasn't my only return visit, since I love showing visitors this amazing Art Deco worship space. That evening I was excited to find out that the church is applying for designation as a Minor Basilica.

Attending vespers is new to me as a Catholic. While the Office of Vespers is rooted in the ancient church, I have somehow missed participating in this beautiful service. There is a sense of wonder when a lifelong Catholic experiences such a service for the first time. Wonder? maybe awe is a better description of the feeling, or better yet, joy! There is an intense flood of joy as the incense smoke billows heavenwards. A feeling of intense joy as we recite psalms and sing the Magnificat. Yes, a feeling of joy as we proclaim the greatness of God.

That evening Shrine Church was filled with many joyful voices praying as one. Indeed, it sounded heavenly. Catholicism celebrates the voice, an instrument given to us by God. We honor Him with song. We proclaim the Good News with our voices, lifting up our words joyfully in hymns.

Find vespers near you and attend. This is a tradition that must be rediscovered by the faithful.

 

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