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St. Joseph Catholic Church

1875 S C R 700 W
North Vernon, IN 47265

Rev. Jonathan P. Meyer, Administrator

Office Hours:

Monday Office closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30 AM till 12:30 PM

St. Joseph Rectory Phone: 812-346-4783
Fax: 812-352-9033

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What is a Holy Hour?

When we begin Perpetual Adoration one will begin to ask the question: what do I do for an hour? I will go crazy. I cannot sit for 60 minutes without doing something. It will be boring. It will be a waste of time. I will not be able to do it! Every time one desires to pray in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament they do NOT have to stay for an hour, but if you have an assigned hour you are asked to stay for the entire hour until the next person arrives. This protects the Blessed Sacrament, which should not be left alone. Where did the concept of a holy hour come from? It is rooted in our Lord’s request to His disciples in the Garden in Gethsemane. He asked his disciples in the garden, as he was about to be arrested, “Could you not watch one hour with me? The spirit is willing but the flesh is so weak.” Mark 14:38) This question, “could you not keep watch one hour with me,” has been a spiritual challenge throughout the ages. The Holy Hour is time to be with God - to watch with Him! This is why we emphasize the importance of being in the Eucharistic Presence of our Lord, before a tabernacle or the exposed host in a monstrance. It is with His True and Abiding Presence in the Blessed Sacrament that gives us certitude that we are actually with Him. Our only goal after that is staying awake. So what do you “do” during a Holy Hour? Here are many options:
•Pray the Rosary
•Read from the Bible
•Sit in Silence
•Journal (write letters to God)
•Do some good spiritual reading
•ACTS (Adoration/Contrition/Thanksgiving/Supplication)
I would be a liar if I said I have never fallen asleep during a Holy Hour. In fact it happens quite often during my 5:30-6:30AM Holy Hour. However, my goal is to stay awake and the Lord looks at our heart and its desire. Also when we fall asleep during a Holy Hour we are in good company- the 11 apostles, who could not stay awake that Holy Thursday Night, all ended up saints and martyrs. May it happen to you and me as well! Keep PRAYING for the success of Perpetual Adoration! Mother Theresa said: "The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in Heaven, and will help bring about everlasting peace on earth." “Through Mary the cause of our joy you discover that no where on earth are you more welcomed, no where on earth are you more loved, than by Jesus, living and truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament...He is really there in Person waiting just for you."