More of: "Does Continuity Catholicism rock?"

"You bet: just ask a lot of hardworking young men and women in Washington, D.C.!"

¡Ora UTEP! ¡Ora, MEChA! ¡Adelante, DESTINO!

Adapted from this source: National Catholic Register, Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2006. By Nick Manetto, Register Correspondent.

Young Catholics' D.C. Haunts

Caption under colored photo reads:

"HAUNTING LITURGY: It's the vigil of All Saints Day, 'All Hallows Eve' and the Dominicans of Wasington, D.C. have revived an ancient prayer service. It takes tradition and creativity to draw hard-charging young professionals back to Church. (Photos by Brother Pius Pietrzyk, O.P.)"

"WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Candlelight will cast long shadows. Hooded monks will chant ancient anthems. And men and women will invoke the dead.

"Welcome to the Dominican Friars annual Vigil of All Saints, which is becoming a must-attend on the social agendas of young Washington Catholics.

"It takes creative events of this kind to attract the large and active D.C.--area population of young Catholics.

"Held at the Dominican House of Studies, the order's U.S. seminary, the vigil is a Halloween alternative that seeks to take back the now-secularized holiday.

"And it's had a lot of success with the 20- and 30-something crowd that is often looking for deeper meaning in life and ways to connect with peers of their own faith.

"Those who attend are the young people who flock to Washington to work on Capitol Hill, for the federal government or at one of the seemingly endless advocacy organizations that choke the city and its environs.

All Hallows Eve

"This Halloween, rather than attending a liquor-laden Halloween party or taking part in some bar's costume contest, young professionals will jam into a dark-wood English Gothic chapel at the Dominican House of Studies to hear readings from the lives of saints and a inspirational talk, pray ancient night prayers along with the friars, and sing Gregorian chant. The liturgy concludes with a candle-lit procession to the friars' reliquary while chanting a litany.

"Afterwards, there's a social hour with friar-baked goodies and holy cards of saints for the taking.

"The annual event was brought here by a group of young Dominicans from the West Coast, and it immediately began to draw large numbers of college-aged [¡Ora, UTEP! ¡Ora, MEChA! ¡Adelante, DESTINO!] and young adult Catholics. It's been that way ever since.

"Our annual All Saints' Vigil draws hundreds for good reason, said Dominican Father Reginald Whitt, president of the Houuse of Studies. We can't but be drawn to the saints and be inspired by their lives."

Caption under last two B/W photos reads:

"Young Catholics pack into the traditional choir stalls at the Dominican House of Studies on Halloween -- the Vigil of All Saints Day -- and sing the Nunc Dimittis of Night Prayer. Meanwhile, Dominican student brothers prepare 'trick-or-treat' candy for the reception that follows. (Photos by Brother Pius Pietrzyk)."