Mass with Healing Prayers

Christ in the Blessed Sacrament is exposed because the Lord is the Healer. The priest or prayer team offers intercessory prayers and serves as an instrument to bring Christ’s healing grace to the people through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The atmosphere is one of great reverence in which the primary focus is on the sacredness of the Blessed Sacrament. That reverence is maintained through prayerful and meditative music and silent Eucharistic Adoration. Traditional practices for solemn Exposition and Benediction are followed, during which incense and bells may be used in keeping with the Church’s custom. Because of the solemnity of the atmosphere and the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, modest dress is appropriate.

Anyone may receive healing prayers, both Catholics and non-Catholics. All should come with an open heart and mind. For those that are Catholic, it is better to be in a state of grace. Healing prayers do not take the place of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There is much greater healing that takes place during Confession.

One may experience emotional, spiritual, physical, psychological, or relational healing. It might be visible and tangible – as in healing from an addiction or illness – or invisible and intangible – as in the healing of a memory or the freedom to forgive. The healing may not seem to happen as soon as one experiences the prayers but may instead become apparent as the Lord continues to work in them over the days, weeks, months, and even years that follow.

The person awaiting healing prayers should reverently kneel and completely focus on the Blessed Sacrament. Those who are unable to kneel will sit in a pew. This is his or her personal time with Christ. They shouldn’t worry about anyone else around them. They should communicate with Him through prayer. They should ask the Holy Spirit for an open heart that is free of fears and doubts so that they might be free to receive God’s grace.

A person can always stand in prayer for the healing of someone else who is not present and petition God on their behalf. To pray for someone as proxy, think of the person for whom you want to pray as you kneel before the Blessed Sacrament and offer them to Jesus Christ. Some people might bring a small picture of the person they wish to pray for, but this is not necessary. God will always know what is in their heart.

The Lord touches the hearts of some people in a way that allows them to trust in His presence. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, a person may be filled with such a heightened state of inner awareness that the body can no longer support itself. It isn’t the same as fainting or sleeping, and the person does not lose consciousness. Under the healing power of the Holy Spirit, one may rest in His love. They should trust that something is happening in them even though they may not feel it. Everyone who “Rests in the Spirit” is gently covered with a blanket which removes any concern about their appearance. They should stay in the position of relaxation as long as they feel they should.

The healing power of God through the Holy Spirit doesn’t depend on whether someone “Rests in the Spirit.” Whether or not a person “rests” also doesn’t mean they are any more or less holy than another person. God has a unique plan for each of us, at this moment in each of our lives.

God touches and heals each person in their own unique way. He doesn’t want one to compare or judge, but to just trust in His unique plan for them and remain open to His love and grace.

It’s perfectly fine to experience healing prayers as often as they are offered. Our Lady of the Pines is blessed to have priests who are willing to offer anointing and healing prayers personally or through prayer teams. Sometimes visiting priests may also offer healing prayers. With each experience, one may grow deeper in their relationship with God as more barriers to that relationship are removed and healed.