Vigil Mass brings Pilot Grove H.S. students together before Prom

Seeing our students put something as important as going to church before enjoying their night of fun is so wonderful and hopeful to see in this generation.”

Catherine Schuster, a rising senior at Pilot Grove High School

Sequins, ruffles and corsages.

Bowties, cummerbunds and tails.

Juniors and seniors were on their way to Prom, but first they worshiped God at St. Joseph Church in Pilot Grove.

“The tradition of going to Mass before Prom is something I’ve always found a deep sense of joy in,” said Catherine Schuster, who will be a senior this year at Pilot Grove High School.

“Seeing our students put something as important as going to church before enjoying their night of fun is so wonderful and hopeful to see in this generation,” she said.

Pilot Grove’s Mass-before-Prom tradition has been around as long as parishioner Elizabeth Christy can remember.

“Because the kids stay out late, they prioritize attending evening Mass,” she said.

They start out early in the afternoon with photos in order to make sure they arrive at church on time for the Saturday Vigil Mass.

The parish places “Reserved” signs on pews near the front of the church, so the group can sit together.

“It’s moving to see Catholic and non-Catholic friends praying together before their night begins,” said Mrs. Christy.

Father Gregory Oligschlaeger, in his first year as pastor of St. Joseph Parish and of Ss. Peter &Paul Parish in Boonville, offered the Mass for the first time this year and stood with the Prom-goers for a photo afterward.

“As a parent, having Fr. Greg and the congregation pray for their safety and for them to make good decisions means a great deal,” said Mrs. Christy.

It’s unclear when the parish welcomed Prom-goers to Mass for the first time, but St. Joseph School Principal Nichole Watring and three current teachers participated in it when they were in high school.

Catherine’s mother, Amanda Schuster, shares her enthusiasm for the tradition.

“It’s heartwarming and encouraging to see most of the students attending Prom join together to attend Mass to begin their night of fun,” she said.

She loves how inclusive that evening’s Mass is for the whole community, including Prom dates from out of town.

“It shows that these teen-agers are making attending Mass a priority in their busy weekend and sharing it with their friends who may not be parishioners,” she said.

Mrs. Schuster believes St. Joseph Parish has a bright future with its teens willing to make such a high priority of their faith.

“This was my daughter’s first year attending Prom, but I was so impressed when I first learned of this tradition several years ago,” she said.

Catherine said it’s a great way for Prom-goers to start off their evening and thank God for their friends and community.

“Even the students who aren’t Catholic or are from out of town join us in the celebration, which shows how special this tradition truly is,” she said.

Alicia Gerling, secretary for St. Joseph Parish and School, said it’s fun and uplifting to see Prom-goers start their evening off right.

“To be honest, several of us here thought all churches did it!” she said.