The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-02-16

tainly more than sufficient to induce
us to fulfill these conditions whenever
this can be done.
Apart from these indulgences, how
ever, this devotion is in itself most
pleasing to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
and most fruitful of grace and bless
ing. Therefore it may be performed
at any hour with great profit to our
selves and to others.
That We spend this time of prayer
and devodt meditation in the church
before the altar of Our Divine Lord
Who is there present in the Blessed
Sacrament is certainly most desirable
and advantageous. In the Blessed
Sacrament OH the altar, Jesus Christ
is really, truly and personally present.
There He delights most to have us
with Him, to hear our prayers, and to
shower His choicest blessings upon
us. There we can best hold spiritual
communion with Him, and speak with
Him even as if we saw Him face to
face, with all the familiarity and af-
lection of friend speaking with a
Friend Divine.
To go to the church and remain with
Jesus an entire hour, although always
most delightful and salutary, is often
very incOnvenient and even impossi-
| BILE. Then Our Divine Lord does not
expect it Of us With less advantage,
although with that which is still very
great we can practice the devotion
| of the Holy Hour in the home or in
the place of daily occupation, on the
| street, or in the field or even on the
train while travelling.
No more is specified as required
than that we spend the Holy Hour in
mental or vocal prayer, contemplating
or communing with Jesus Christ Who
suffered a most sowoWful passion in
| the Garden of Olives and Who is now
present in the Holy Eucharist on the
| altar. All else, excepting those condi-
| tons imposed as necessary for gain
| ing the indulgenceS attached, is left to
our own free will, to the promptings
Of our own personal devotion. During
| the Holy Hour, we may kneel or sit
or stand, walk, as circumstances or
| prevailing disposition renders most
| fitting. We may practice this devO-
| ton alone or with others, which latter
is more acceptable to the Sacred Heart
of Jesus Who has said where two or
| three are gathered together in My
| Name, there / am in the midst of
| them" One may pray to Jesus Who
is present in the Holy Eucharist for
| himself, for his relatives and friends
| for others who are in need or in sin
for our Holy Father the Pope, for the
| intention of the Church or for the
souls in purgatory. We may devote
| the time to the contemplation CT
| Christ's saving truth pictured before
the mind, yielding with all the powers
| Of our being to the influence of His
| love and grace, or we may address 10
I Him any prayers that we desire Fl.
| nally we may divide the Holy Hour
| between various acts of piety such as
meditating on the Passion of Our Lord
treading some spiritual work on the
| Holy Eucharist, making the Way OF
/ the Cross saying the Rosary, going to
| confession or performing some other
act Of devotion. Assisting at. Mass and
| going to Communion while this Holy
| Sacrifice is being offered for our in.
tention is surely most salutary man
ner Of performing this pious exercise
either publicly or with others or alone
Clearly manifest to all are the east
ness and delight with which the Holy
/ Hour may be practiced; and how
Eabundantly rich are the inspiration
and graces bestowed through it! How
sweetly yet irresistibly it brings the
human heart into loving submission
to the Sacred Heart Of Jesus present
in the Holy Eucharist!
The Catholic NeIUS.
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