St. Patrick Catholic Church in Columbus, Ohio, shared their Sept. 6 bulletin and an encouraging message about collective prayer from the Rev. Stephen Alcott.

Fr. Alcott began by quoting an encouraging passage of Scripture: “Amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” 

This tells us that when we pray to Christ during the Mass, he is there with us, Alcott said in the message. The same is true when families pray together, when the congregation prays the rosary together or when we lift up novenas together.

“Another way to pray together is to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office: the prayer of the Church, mainly the Psalms, at regular times throughout each day," Alcott said. "Jesus himself doubtless learned to pray the traditional Jewish scriptural prayers for morning and evening, and also prayed the Psalms.” 

Vespers, which are sung by the choir and friars on Sundays of Advent, are now being livestreamed on a daily basis in order to simplify the practice and help those who want to be praying daily. 

“The Liturgy of the Hours can seem a bit complicated and daunting when you first try to pray it, so watching Vespers and praying with us can be at least a good introduction to this important prayer of the Church,” Alcott said. “Even those who are alone when they pray are still joining in spirit many, many of their fellow Catholics who are praying the same words around the world.”

Fr. Alcott reminded the congregants that when we participate in these collective acts of prayer, we can be certain the Lord is there among us.

“And when you pray the Liturgy of the Hours, you are lifting your mind, heart and voice to God along with thousands upon thousands in petition, thanksgiving and praise,” he said.