The Oratory at Ave Maria will be dedicated by the bishop at the end of March and become a Quasi-Parish.The multi-million dollar Oratory has been empty since it was completed several months ago.
The 104 foot structure seats 1,100 and is at the center of the town.
Bishop Frank Dewane of the Diocese of Venice will celebrate the mass and preside over the ceremony on March 31st.
According to church officials, the Quasi-Parish - equivalent to a parish - will be erected to provide pastoral care for the students, faculty and staff of Ave Maria University and the residents of Ave Maria Town.
In a release Tuesday Catholic leaders described the dedication mass:"The dedication of the new Church begins with a sprinkling rite of the new structure and the faithful gathered therein, followed by the Liturgy of the Word. Then the Litany of Saints, and a special prayer of dedication is recited. After the prayer both the altar and the Church building are anointed with sacred Chrism oil, a long-standing tradition since the days of early Christianity. The anointing of the altar makes it a symbol of Christ, the "anointed One". The anointing of the walls in four distinct places sets the building aside as a house of worship. The Holy Eucharist will then be celebrated on the newly-anointed altar of the dedicated Church."
Until the Oratory is dedicated by the diocese Ave Maria can't hold mass inside the building.
Instead, they have been celebrating in a ballroom on campus.
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