Prayer - Wheelermethodist.org

Can you get more than one indulgence by praying the Rosary in a group?

Byadmin March 4, 2025March 4, 2025

Question: I inquired of a person who often remains after Mass to recite the Rosary if she would accompany me to a nursing home to pray it there. She declined, explaining that whenever she prays the Rosary In the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, she attains a plenary indulgence, which is increased for every individual present praying alongside her at that moment. For instance, if there are 10 individuals praying, each participant receives 10 plenary indulgences. She mentioned that she would pray for the residents, but I doubt that this holds the same value as personally visiting and praying with these isolated individuals. Are her assertions accurate? She also referenced Jesus’ statement, “Where two or more are gathered, there am I in the midst of them,” contending that this implies that praying the Rosary alone at home is not as valuable as doing it within a group. This is quite disheartening if it is indeed true.

— Katherine Hostetter, Eugene, Oregon

Answer: No, many of her concepts are incorrect. In the realm of indulgences, there are individuals who speak of standards and regulations that are erroneous or no longer applicable. Some of these notions are derived in incomplete ways from resources like antiquated prayer books, the words of saints in visions (whether validated or not) or via devout literature, blogs, or simply from other Catholics who might share misleading information, even if unintentionally.

Prayer

Can laypeople lay hands on others during prayer?

Byadmin March 4, 2025March 4, 2025

Question: Are ordinary believers permitted to lay their hands on others and pray for restoration or the infusion of the Holy Spirit or provide a blessing? Is there any teaching regarding this? Can we accept prayers from individuals who wish to touch us and intercede on our behalf? I’ve also come across the assertion that laying hands either by others or on oneself for others may result in demonic possession.
— Marie Nuar, via email
Answer: It is absolutely allowed and recommended for lay individuals to pray for each other. In fact, the gift to offer physical or spiritual healing and comfort to others is not limited to the clergy. However, when engaging in prayer, the laity should refrain from using sacerdotal gestures like laying hands on someone’s head or making the sign of the cross over them, akin to a priest’s blessing. If hands are laid upon someone during prayer, it is preferable to rest them on the shoulders.

Lent | Prayer | Saints

10 saints to pray to this Lent

Byadmin March 4, 2025March 4, 2025

Catholics have the opportunity, in a unique manner, to seek the intercession of a minimum of 10 saints during this Lenten period.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops frequently lists Lenten saints whose celebration days occur during the 40 days of prayer and fasting preceding Easter. The U.S. bishops encourage the faithful to explore and contemplate these sacred lives while participating in Lent.
For 2023, the U.S. liturgical calendar features the subsequent 10 saints whose feast days take place in the season of Lent, commencing on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, and finishing on Holy Thursday, April 6. Below are their narratives.
African-American and Native American children are depicted with Mother Katharine Drexel in a painting. (CNS photo from Catholic Standard and Times)
1. St. Katharine Drexel (1858-1955)
A Philadelphia socialite with a fortune, St. Katharine devoted her life and her legacy to supporting Native American and African American communities. She established the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and managed educational institutions across 13 states for African Americans, along with 40 mission centers and 23 rural schools. In collaboration with her order, she created Xavier University of Louisiana, the sole Catholic and historically Black college in the United States. She also set up 50 missions for Native Americans.

Faith | Prayer

Dominican friars launch second annual Rosary novena

Byadmin March 4, 2025March 4, 2025

As the adage states, “Every positive endeavor starts with prayer,” and the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph are embodying this proverb. The friars have declared the initiation of a 9-month novena to seek blessings for the success of their second annual Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage. The novena will begin on Jan. 27 and will take place on the last Saturday of every month, culminating in a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

In the previous year, numerous devotees shared experiences of receiving unique blessings through the novena. A woman started to recite the novena prayer every day alongside her husband. After many years of being distant from the faith, he recommitted himself and even joined her on the pilgrimage to Washington!