BERLIN — Bishop Peter Libasci of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester has invited people to join him in Berlin on July 26 for a Pilgrimage for Vocations at St. Anne Church of the Good Shepherd Parish on the Feast of St. Anne.

The diocesan-wide pilgrimage is in recognition of the hundreds of priestly and religious vocations from the Catholic Church in Berlin, and to pray for an increase of vocations in Manchester’s diocese.

The daylong event culminates at 3 p.m. when Libasci will be joined by visiting priests, some with strong ties to the city, as he celebrates Mass. He will then carry the Blessed Sacrament in a Eucharistic procession, led by men currently studying for the priesthood. The procession will go from the steps of St. Anne south on Pleasant Street, east on Mason and back up Main Street to the church. After returning the Blessed Sacrament to the main altar, Libasci will offer the Benediction.

The handsome red brick church, which was dedicated in 1901, is in the heart of the city. Its distinctive outline stands as a testament to the city’s strong religious heritage. Its two towers — the 99-foot north tower supporting the 14-foot statue of St. Anne with her daughter, Mary, and the 175-foot bell tower with its gilded cross — can be seen from vantage points throughout the city, standing as reminders of God’s blessing on the community.

According to Father Jason Jalbert, a Berlin native and Bishop Libasci’s priest secretary, parishes throughout the state have been invited. Buses are reserved to bring pilgrims from Manchester and other large parishes in southern New Hampshire.

A 1:30 p.m. organ concert will precede the Mass and procession, in the beautiful interior of the church. Eric Bermani, music director and organist for the Diocese of Manchester, will give a concert on a century-old Casavant organ. The organ has 1,763 pipes, which are controlled by a three-manual keyboard and two-and-one-half octave pedal. The church seats 1,216.

Seminarians will give visitors guided tours of the church, during which they can venerate the relic of St. Anne and present their personal needs and intentions. Confessions will be heard from noon to 3 p.m.

The celebration of the region’s heritage includes activities at the Northern Forest Heritage Park, where a barbecue lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., along with self-guided tours of the recreational logging camp and boat rides up the Androscoggin River. Later in the afternoon, Berlin’s Farmers Market will open on Pleasant Street for more food and entertainment.

The welcome center for the pilgrimage will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Anne Church, 345 Pleasant St. For those arriving the previous evening, on July 25, or who live in the area, an 8 p.m. candlelight vigil prayer service will be held. For information, go to catholicnh.org/vocations/priesthood/pilgrimage-berlin.

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Sara Young-Knox may be reached at syoungknox@newstote.com.