Devotional Prayer

Popular devotions are expressions of love and faithfulness that arise from one's own faith, culture and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Saint John Paul II said in 2001:

"Genuine forms of popular piety, expressed in a multitude of different ways, derives from the faith and, therefore, must be valued and promoted. Such authentic expressions of popular piety are not at odds with the centrality of the Sacred Liturgy. Rather, in promoting the faith of the people, who regard popular piety as a natural religious expression, they predispose the people for the celebration of the Sacred Mysteries.

The correct relationship between these two expressions of faith must be based on certain firm principles, the first of which recognizes that the Liturgy is the center of the Church's life and cannot be substituted by, or placed on a par with, any other form of religious expression. Moreover, it is important to reaffirm that popular religiosity, even if not always evident, naturally culminates in the celebration of the Liturgy towards which it should ideally be oriented. This should be made clear through suitable catechesis" (Address to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, September 21, 2001).

The Stations of the Cross has alsays been a powerful and popular part of the faith tradition and devotional life for Catholics throughout the ages.  The early practive of Christians attempting to retrace and walk the path of Jesus has always been a treasured way to commemorate the Passion and Death of Christ.  Praying the stations of the cross helps us reflect on the love of God and the unconditional mercy shown for all of creation.  It can truly be an experience of God's love through the common human experience of loss, betrayal, violence, abuse, and loneliness.  Whether prayed privately or as a community of faith, the stations of the cross can be a path of growth toward a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Rosary helps us to pray to Jesus through Mary. When we pray the Rosary, we think about the special events, or mysteries, in the lives of Jesus and Mary.  Based on scripture, the repetition of the prayers helps us enter more deeply into contemplation on the mysteries of Jesus' life, death and resurrection.  The Rosary may be prayed individually (privately) or communally in a group.  
Click here to learn how to pray the Rosary.

A Rosary for the Sanctity of Life is prayed
every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel.

Praying in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament extends the benefits of grace received at Mass.  When we pray in the presence of the Sacrament, we continue to contemplate Christ's Paschal Mystery -- his life, death, and resurrection.  We also recognize our own participation in the Paschal Mystery, that is, how we die to ourselves so that we may be imitators of Christ.

Holy Hours

A holy hour is a Catholic tradition of spending one hour of prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, either reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for solemn prayer.  All are welcome to pray before the Blessed Sacrament reserved in our tabernacle at any time during the day.  

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Every first Friday of the month the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for solemn prayer at the conclusion of our 9:00 a.m. Mass.  All are invited to sign-up for a half-hour or an hour of prayer throughout the day, as there must be at least two persons present whenever the Blessed Sacrament is exposed.  Benediction takes place at 5:15 p.m., followed by an evening Mass at 5:30 p.m.

Las Posadas (the inns or lodgings) is a customary Christmas novena, celebrated in many Latin American countries and Hispanic communities in the United States. Beginning on December 16th, nine days before Christmas, Las Posadas is a journey of faith and joy, shared by family, friends, and neighbors.  Inspired by one phrase of a passage from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:7), Las Posadas helps us identify with Mary and Joseph in their pilgrimage on the road to Bethlehem.

Las Posadas begin at 7:00 p.m. in the church
each evening, December 16-23.