Eucharistic Adoration

Eucharistic Adoration is the practice of spending time with Jesus in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This can be for any length of time, from a quick “visit to the Blessed Sacrament”, to spending an hour or more in the warmth of the Jesus’ presence.

Purpose of Eucharistic Adoration

To acknowledge Jesus in his marvellous presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
To grow in greater personal closeness to Christ.
To lead us to a fuller participation in the celebration of the Eucharist.
To render the worship and honour that is due God.

Etiquette during Eucharistic Adoration

Genuflect when passing before the Sacred Host
Pray from the heart and try to avoid distraction. This can be difficult. (It is faithfulness that counts.)

If you spend your whole time gently trying to bring your thoughts back to prayer, your time has been well spent!

— St. Francis de Sales

Ways to Pray

Simply tell Jesus how your day is going or how you are feeling. Speak from the heart. Listen.
Pray for the needs of loved ones, for the world, and for your own needs.
Thank and praise Jesus for the innumerable good things he gives us, including his sacrifice, our salvation, and an eternity of heaven.
Read the bible, pray a rosary, chaplet or novena.

Prisoner of the Tabernacle

Do you believe that Jesus Christ, the Prisoner of the Tabernacle, is truly present in the Eucharist?

The Catechism of The Catholic Church emphasizes His real presence by stating “It is by conversion of the bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood that Christ becomes present in this sacrament” (CCC 1376). Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is truly present in the consecrated hosts reserved in the tabernacles of every Catholic Church. During Eucharistic Adoration, a consecrated host is displayed in a vessel called a monstrance for people to see and pray before. “The worship of the Eucharist is the foundation and summit of the whole Christian life” (CCC 1324). During Adoration, the faithful spend time in prayer, reflection, and contemplation, resulting in a deeper spiritual relationship with God.

Although Jesus is physically hidden under the appearance of bread, He is fully present and accessible to the faithful. It symbolizes the mystery of faith that He remains with us in this sacramental form, waiting for us to come and spend time with Him in prayer and worship. Yes, He presents himself under the guise of bread, but only in order to take us even a step further: to make it possible to unite our body with His through communion. Adoration leads to and flows from this communion.

St. Pope John Paul II asked the faithful to be generous with their time to go meet Jesus as he believed that our time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament will repair for evils of the world and bring about peace on earth. We are very fortunate to have Adoration every Friday night in our parish because by participating and allowing ourselves to soak in His true presence, our whole being is changed from inside out.

There is a Polish proverb that says, “You become the one you befriend”. Take a good look at your routine and find a way to include Adoration in your life. You will truly become the one you befriend. Just show up and allow Jesus to do the work in your soul, allow Him to direct your steps and bless your life, your family and your work. He will give you strength to deal with the circumstances of your daily life, consolation in your times of sorrow and support in moments of uncertainty. In the words of Pope Benedict XVI “The happiness you are seeking, the happiness you have a right to enjoy has a name and a face: It is Jesus of Nazareth, hidden in the Eucharist”.

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Join us in Eucharistic Adoration every Friday from 6-7 pm. Mass to follow.