Orem experiences the power of hundreds praising the Lord

Intermountain Catholic

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Hundreds of people, young and old, gather each month during Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish. See video online at www.icatholic.org. IC photo/Jenn Sparks

OREM — Little by little the sound of the voices filled the parish, building from a few to hundreds. This was not like any other day at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Orem.

More than 500 hundred parishioners gathered to celebrate "La Hora Santa [Holy Hour]," praising the Eucharist.

Holy Hour is a Roman Catholic devotional tradition of spending an hour in Eucharistic adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. At St. Francis of Assisi Parish on the second Tuesday of each month, the Rite of Eucharistic Exposition with Benediction is celebrated in Spanish. On July 9 at 6:45. p.m. the parking lot started welcoming different vehicles from which men, women, elders, children, families, friends, neighbors and people who had never seen each other before were getting out and hurrying into the church.

Inside, the benches were mimicking the exterior and in less than five minutes they were full of people anxious to praise.

Before being seated, many of them placed objects such as Bibles and images of saints around the altar for a blessing.

"Today we are here in front of God to present ourselves as his children," said Father Fernando Velasco, the parish’s parochial vicar.

The church became alive with music and song as the parishioners followed lyrics: "God is here …God is here… God’s spirit is alive, alive in our hearts."

Fr. Velasco started praying the Nicene Creed, and the smell of incense permeated the nave as the Gospel was read and the Eucharist, encased in the monstrance, was set at the altar.

"We need to live believing that our faith is true, believing in our commitment to our Church, living with the truth in our lives," Fr. Velasco said.

Meanwhile very subtle music in the background started and the lyrics were projected on the wall. "Holy, Holy, Holy is God, the angels sing and praise the Lord…"

Imagine the power of all the Catholics gathered in a church engaged in this singing at the same time, no matter if it was a man, a woman or a child, all joined their voices in the praise.

"We need to teach our kids the value of the Eucharist," said Ericka Vega de Garcia, from Guadalajara Mexico, who was among those who attended the Benediction, along with her 3-year-old child, husband and other family members. The little one was praying with all the words possible for a girl of her age.

The sensation of peace and grace was so intense it raised goosebumps.

Some women started crying as their emotions elevated their voices with more intensity each time they spoke.

"Wherever I look you are there, wherever I am you are there," said Fr. Velasco, speaking to God. "Holy Spirit you are the one who pushes us to be part of the spirit of God. God is here. God’s spirit moves around here. ... It’s here for everyone. It’s here! … It’s here to free us. ... It’s here to heal us! … Be present in me! ... Touch me !"

A man clutched his rosary near his heart, a family held hands together, a small girl’s face glowed as she repeated, "Be present in me!"

"We open our hearts to you, so you can work in and with us. We are a whole community present here before God," said Fr. Velasco.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish has seen a change since they began celebrating Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction every month, said parishioner Melody Gomez.

"There is more spiritual growth and we understand better the value of the Eucharist," Gomez said.

Every second Tuesday of the month St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish opens its doors for Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, which runs from 7 to 9 p.m.