The holiday season is often a time of celebration, but for many, it can also bring up feelings of grief, sadness and loneliness. To acknowledge these emotions, the Columbia Catholic Mental Health Ministry will host a Blue Christmas Vigil. This reflective service filled with prayers, music and comforting words is designed to bring peace, healing and hope. It will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 409 Cherry St., Columbia.

Open to everyone, regardless of religious background, the service will provide a sacred space for individuals who are mourning, experiencing emotional pain or supporting a loved one who is suffering. Whether you are grieving the loss of someone close, dealing with seasonal depression or simply in need of solace during this time of year, the Blue Christmas Vigil will offer an opportunity to gather in God's loving presence and find strength in community, said deacon Jim Doyle.

"Since this will be the longest night of the year, it's an appropriate time to reflect on and express our grief, whether from the loss of a loved one; the absence of someone due to dementia, addiction or incarceration; or other struggles such as seasonal affective disorder," he shared. "In coming together to mourn and pray, we can find healing and hope as we anticipate the joy of Christmas and the light of Christ entering our lives."

The Blue Christmas Vigil will be an hourlong service. It will provide participants with a chance to honor their feelings and memories, offering comfort in knowing that they are not alone in their struggles.

"Taking this hour to pray and to express our love through mourning these losses and sufferings, we will more acutely appreciate the joy of Christmas and the coming of Jesus Christ into the world," Doyle explained.

The Columbia Catholic Mental Health Ministry, a partnership between St. Peter and Holy Trinity Catholic churches, offers spiritual support, community and education for individuals and families facing mental health challenges. While not a substitute for professional mental health care, the ministry aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and create a compassionate space for healing.

For additional information, contact Doyle at ccmentalhealthministry@gmail.com or 717-343-1102.