Poll ... Holy Hour: Preferences?

[ohioszo]

We just had 40 hours at St. W. and we had Priests who gave a speech at each Benediction for the 3 days. The first one by a Redemptorist was quite humorous, as he related some events from his younger days as an acolyte. The second was on vocations. The third Benediction included a Eucharistic March, with police escort. Children joined the march as it went around a number of blocks in Fostoria, Ohio. What is your usual prayer or activity at weekly Holy Hour?

 

[puzzleannie]

for 40 hours as opposed to my personal regular Holy Hour (would sure wish it would be re-established here–lucky you) good preaching, processions, and what you describe is very much appreciated.

for monthly Holy Hour in the parish, prefer mostly silence, perhaps LOTH or rosary together.

for personal holy hour, any more I prefer to simply sit, stand or kneel, as I am able, and be in silence. If I need to decompress before that is possible, I do my lectio divina during that time so I can “get off the road” and recollect.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

for 40 hours … (would sure wish it would be re-established here–lucky you)

Our bishop (Joseph Martino, Diocese of Scranton) several years ago directed that EVERY parish in the diocese have 40 hours at least once a year. (Saint John Neumann was a bishop here, and he did much to promote 40 hours devotion.)

Our parish has continuous exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, with prayer services each evening that include Evening Prayer from Liturgy of the Hours, preaching on Eucharistic subjects, silent adoration, and Benediction.

 

[puzzleannie]

wonderful, PA, predict great things for your parish and surrounding community because of this.

 

[ohioszo]

(would sure wish it would be re-established here–lucky you)

There are some people (generally, non-alumni of the Parish schools) who are very determined to have the Blessed Sacrament exposed for a full day, before it was a day and night. They have been able to add Thursday, a change from all night.

There is also a 7 AM prayer service for Vocations, but, no Benediction.

For 40 hours, there has also been a change to days only, so it is Sun. through Tuesday, with the Benediction each evening.

Having had mainly Post-Vatican since my First Holy Communion in 1964, and simply don’t remember this formal effort at any other time in my life. I consider it a formal Parish effort to increase prayer. I’ve read Benedict’s compiled homilies. I think that my brother is slightly aware of what I do, as he wonders why I am not easy to manipulate.

 

[Morwenna]

This may be a good place to post a question I’ve been wondering about.

I’ve been attending Adoration at two different parishes for the last couple of years, and have never encountered anything like this. A month or two ago, I was in the chapel with 5 or 6 other folks, all praying silently (the norm as far as I’ve seen), when suddenly a group of 4 or 5 came in. Two of the new arrivals had guitars. They all sat down and began playing the guitars and singing loudly.

I really didn’t know what to think. I didn’t stay much longer (I was really in need of quiet time with Our Lord that night and just couldn’t handle the loud music). I wouldn’t dream of asking them to “keep it down,” so I didn’t say anything, just left.

I can understand the need to praise and worship in song, but is that the time and place for it, when others are just praying silently, each in his or her own way? When the music began, it kind of took over the whole chapel (which is pretty small), making quiet prayer impossible, at least for me.

Am I wrong in thinking this was rather inconsiderate on their part? Or is this really the norm at other parishes, and I’m out of line?

 

[PhilotheaZ]

No, it’s not the norm. I’m not sure how I would have handled it. Ask your pastor or the person who coordinates Adoration, because it may very well happen again.

 

[tkdnick]

I find it interesting that in this poll more people are praying the Rosary & Saint prayers than anything else.

 

[Jennifer_G]

This may be a good place to post a question I’ve been wondering about.

I’ve been attending Adoration at two different parishes for the last couple of years, and have never encountered anything like this. A month or two ago, I was in the chapel with 5 or 6 other folks, all praying silently (the norm as far as I’ve seen), when suddenly a group of 4 or 5 came in. Two of the new arrivals had guitars. They all sat down and began playing the guitars and singing loudly.

I really didn’t know what to think. I didn’t stay much longer (I was really in need of quiet time with Our Lord that night and just couldn’t handle the loud music). I wouldn’t dream of asking them to “keep it down,” so I didn’t say anything, just left.

I can understand the need to praise and worship in song, but is that the time and place for it, when others are just praying silently, each in his or her own way? When the music began, it kind of took over the whole chapel (which is pretty small), making quiet prayer impossible, at least for me.

Am I wrong in thinking this was rather inconsiderate on their part? Or is this really the norm at other parishes, and I’m out of line?

They have that in our parish, although it’s before the exposition of the Eucharist, and 30 minutes after the brief homily (giving people about 30 minutes of quiet to recite a rosary, for silent prayer, etc.), then they play music until the priests are done hearing confessions, then stop during benediction/closing prayers. They don’t play music during the all-day Eucharistic Adorations.

 

[ohioszo]

I wonder if a poll can be edited?

+++

Tomorrow night, there is a wedding during Holy Hours. Might be a little hard to pray … as some didn’t like the organist practicing, nor the choir practice.

+++

People who sign up for the same hour, have decided that they will pray aloud together. We were, at one time, given prayers that we could say together. Someone, a main organizer, didn’t like the modern prayers; they were “too high school.” Now it is the Divine Mercy Chaplet … but, other prayers were tried: Reparation prayers and some older style prayers. They cannot require everyone to pray with them, but I’ve seen acquiescence generally!

Tonight two folks were whispering the Divine Mercy prayers, instead of regular voice, as they did last week. It was hard to pray separately, for myself, whispering or regular voice. People want to do this and, I’m wondering but they they got an okay form the Priests.

There is a formation of a “loving social group” with the hi’s and how-are-you’s, saw your sister, got something to tell ya’ all, kind of stuff … within the Chapel, which cuts into prayer time a little. Despite the old-fashioned prayers, it is not quite “how I remember it” when near the tabernacle and the Lord’s real presence. People are lonely? and finding friends?

There is a problem with praying aloud, but, not with the music, IMO … the organ didn’t bother me: (Different room with glass separating.)

Divine Mercy Chaplet at 8, Taize at ?, Meditation at !, Rosary at ", silent prayer at ^? Is that *done *anywhere?

Am I wrong in thinking this was rather inconsiderate on their part? Or is this really the norm at other parishes, and I’m out of line?

+++

(PS One can check off more than one, and the rosary is always included it would seem.)