Last Friday's Solemn Procession

  • Thread starter Thread starter 907John
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
9

907John

Guest
From someone seriously investigating the Catholic Church, can someone please explain this to me?

Last Friday I attended mass at the local church which I have been attending and after the mass they left the host (if I understand correctly) upon the altar and the priest announced a solemn procession. A hymn in Latin was chanted first and then: nothing.

A few people who (I assume) hadn’t planned for it trickled silently out but most just sat or knelt silently for the better part of the hour; I was with them. Gradually I realized that I was kneeling (I had copied the other people) in the presence of Christ. I obviously knew this during the Eucharist but it dawned anew I think about five or ten minutes into the silence. No singing, no annoyances, no voices, and no public external worship, no, nothing but remaining silently in his presence together with private worship. I cannot put into words just what this meant to me.

I began over the course of the then remaining approximate half-hour to understand just why the Catholics can claim that God and his worship is necessary for sanity. Were the internet not inherently anonymous, I would not have admitted that, but it is true. This was the second time I was conscious of being in the presence of Christ, and this time I got it right and knelt.

Eventually the priest recited to the laity’s response a litany (correct word?) on the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Please explain to me the following:
  1. What was the event (?) called.
  2. The litany and the hymn. And The Sacred Heart of Jesus.
  3. Was this an event planned by the church calendar or as I understood it, celebrated (correct word?) every Friday?
  4. I wish to attend a second time (and to bring someone with me), how do I find out more about this? Do all churches do this? How often and what do I ask for if I phone? Do I phone?
  5. What am I supposed to do? I ad lib’d my thoughts, worship, and prayer the last time. What should I have prepared and brought?
I have a copy of the catechism and a number of other books, if references can be recommended, they will be used.

Thanks for all responses, I do respond to all as best I can,

John
 
907John said:
From someone seriously investigating the Catholic Church, can someone please explain this to me?

Please explain to me the following:
  1. What was the event (?) called.
  2. The litany and the hymn. And The Sacred Heart of Jesus.
  3. Was this an event planned by the church calendar or as I understood it, celebrated (correct word?) every Friday?
  4. I wish to attend a second time (and to bring someone with me), how do I find out more about this? Do all churches do this? How often and what do I ask for if I phone? Do I phone?
  5. What am I supposed to do? I ad lib’d my thoughts, worship, and prayer the last time. What should I have prepared and brought?
Click to expand...
John, I think what you attended was Eucharistic Adoration as a part of a First Friday devotion. The First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, popular in the Church today, is the result of a private revelation to St Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1675. fisheaters.com/sh.html

Adoration is where the Most Blessed Sacrament is displayed in a monstrance, usually on the altar. People can silently adore the Lord. More info about adoration here: therealpresence.org/eucharst/pea/a2.html

The litany was probably the Sacred Heart of Jesus. You can find it in most good Catholic prayer books (check the bookstore at your parish) or here: sacredheart.com/LitanyOfTheSacredHeart.htm

The Latin hymns at the beginning and the end of adoration are specific to adoration and not the First Friday devotion. I’ve heard different hymns sung, depends on the parish. If there is a missal in the pews, or hymnal with the order of the Mass, you can usually find the hymns. Often we’ll sing “O salutaris Hostia” or “Adore Te Devote” at exposition and “Pange lingue gloriosi” at the benediction. The benediction is a rite at the close of adoration. Some parishes will hand out a song sheet. Here is a link with examples: fisheaters.com/hymns.html

The First Friday devotion is practiced of course on First Fridays! But the parish may have Adoration at other times. Check the parish bulletin, or call the parish office, to find the times for either. Ask, “do you have adoration, and when is adoration?” Show up a few minutes early, or attend the preceding Mass, to attend the exposition. Ask “when is the benediction?” to find out when the “closing” will be. In a bulletin, or on a parish web site, you will see the terms “Eucharistic Adoration,” “Adoration,” “Perpetual Adoration,” “Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament,” or “Exposition and Bendiction.” Some parishes have adoration for a few hours on specific days, while others have expanded hours (“perpetual”). Sometime this means 24/7, or ten hours a day, or something like that.

What to do during adoration? I think you did exactly the right thing–worship and adore Him! Some people make a “Holy Hour” every week. Some folks read the bible, some pray specific devotions, some do mental prayer, some meditations. I think if you search this forum with the keyword “adoration” you will find many suggestions.

My personal opinion: I wouldn’t use wiki as a Catholic reference. There are many solid websites with much more reliable information. NewAdvent.org, fisheaters.com, and of course catholic.com. YMMV.
 
GwenL said:
Everything you wrote above.
Click to expand...
Dear GwenL,

Thank-you for your extensive reply. The links you posted were of a depth and quality great enough for me to comprehend the Adoration. Wiki’s are great for overviews and outlines, and are where I usually start - when I know what to search for, but moving on from them can be quite difficult without someone to point the way!

I have looked up some churches and plan to attend again in the very near future.

Best,

John

P.S. This page lists those in the USA. Once again, thanks.
 
God bless you John - you are on your way Home! 🙂 I will keep you in my prayers as you continue to learn and grown in the Faith.

~Liza
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top