Among the many devotions in the Catholic Church, the Holy Hour occupies an important place. It is to spend about an hour before the Blessed Sacrament or in any quiet place. It can be done anywhere. The main thing is to reflect or meditate and spend the time in prayer.
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The history of the Holy Hour.
In 1673 A.D. St. Margaret Mary Alocoque had a vision where she was invited by Jesus to be part of His sufferings and agony at Gethsamane. She accepted the invitation and started to pray for an hour meditating on the Passion of Jesus. So, it is a devotion begun by Jesus Himself through St. Margaret Mary. We recall the plea made by Jesus to His Apostles in His sufferings at Gethsamane: “Could you not watch one hour with me?” (Matthew 26:40).
The occasions when we can pray the Holy Hour
On Holy Thursday.
On Thursday or Friday weekly.
When celebrating the feast of Corpus Christi/ the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
As a Parish group or as a family or for a special need. This is a devotion can be done at any time.
Blessed Mother Theresa made the Holy Hour daily and she recommended it for the Sisters of her Congregation. This devotion can be done individually or in a group. There are different ways in which it can be done:
In the Church or in chapels before the Blessed Sacrament exposed.
In the home, assembled as a family.
The purpose of the Holy Hour.
To share in the sufferings of Jesus at Gethsamane.
For a special need.
When a solution to a problem cannot be found to seek the assistance of Jesus.
The traditional way of making the Holy Hour.
This is the accepted way:
Begin with a hymn.
Introductory prayer
1st Quarter - prayer and reflection. Silence
2nd Quarter - prayer and reflection. Silence
Hymn
3rd Quarter - prayer and reflection. Silence
4th Quarter - prayer and reflection. Silence
Hymn
Final prayer.
Hymn.
Prayers, division of time can be adjusted by the leader of the prayer group. Our duty as Christians is to participate with devotion and prayerfully each time this devotion is made as a family or as a community.
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