By Heather Bunkers
Parishioner at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rapid City

As I visit with fellow parishioners, it is clear that many of us know at least one person who has left the Catholic Church. We yearn for their return to the faith and to a relationship with Jesus, hoping their earthly journey will lead them to sainthood. While we pray for their return, do we boldly ask God for these things, knowing He loves them even more than we do and shares our desires for them?

God calls us to present our loved ones to Him in prayer, allowing us to participate in salvation history. St. Monica, who prayed for 17 years for her son St. Augustine’s return to faith, exemplifies the power of persistent prayer. St. Augustine’s influential writings have significantly shaped the doctrines of the Catholic Church, and his story would be different without St. Monica’s fervent prayers. Her example encourages us to remain hopeful and steadfast in praying for our loved ones.

Inspired by St. Monica’s example of hope and trust, I developed St. Monica’s Holy Hour as my project for the Veritatis Splendor Institute (see page 10 for VSI registration information). Many people in my life have either fallen away from the Catholic faith or are unaware of its truths. Knowing that others share this heartbreaking experience, I desired to provide an opportunity for all of us to come together and pray for our loved ones, seeking St. Monica’s intercessory prayers on their behalf.

Our first St. Monica’s Holy Hour was held on March 25, following the 5:30 p.m. Mass on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. A total of 88 people attended, and participation has remained strong, with more than 60 attendees joining us on April 22. During our time of prayer, the presence of the Holy Spirit is truly felt and many participants have expressed how much this devotion brings them comfort.

Do you share the same desires for someone you know and love who has drifted away from the faith? Would you find comfort in joining other Catholics to pray for our loved ones who have fallen away? If so, we invite you to join us at the cathedral each month on the fourth Tuesday following the 5:30 p.m. Mass for St.Monica’s Holy Hour. This is an opportunity to bring our prayer intentions for our loved ones to Jesus and seek St. Monica’s intercession. Father Brian Christensen gives a reflection on an inspiring saint, we pray the Rosary and spend time in adoration of our Lord, and then close with benediction. The names of our loved ones are blessed and placed under the altar for the month.

Your prayers have the power to impact salvation history. We invite you to join us for St. Monica’s Holy Hour. If you have any questions, please contact the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 605-342-0507. We look forward to praying with you!

(Editor’s note: Since beginning the St. Monica Holy Hours in March, the author said a woman who has prayed for her son for 30 years reported he has returned to the faith. A man who was praying for his wife said she has joined the Order of Christian Initiation of Adult classes to join the church. Also, she was contacted by a person intending to begin a St. Monica’s Holy Hour in a small-town parish.)