The Adoration of the Holy Eucharist, or Eucharistic Adoration, is an opportunity for the faithful to pray to Jesus Christ before the Eucharist at their local parish. The term “the faithful” refers to Catholics who wish to express and deepen their love of Christ. Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is truly present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist. In other words, in the consecrated host, Jesus is there, truly there. So it only stands to reason that, as Catholics worship Jesus, they would worship Him in the Blessed Sacrament.
During exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a consecrated host is put into an often ornate receptacle called a monstrance. This is the Latin word “monstrare,” which means “to reveal.” A monstrance has a glass covered hole in the middle which reveals the Blessed Sacrament. Priests or deacons handle the consecrated host with care, often using a humeral veil. The veil covers their hands, showing reverence for the host. It involves exposing a consecrated host, the Blessed Sacrament, allowing people to sit and pray in the presence of Jesus Christ. Adoration specifically refers to any prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament whether in front of a closed Tabernacle or in front of the exposed host in a monstrance. Eucharistic adoration includes or ends with Benediction, or a blessing by the priest or deacon who makes the sign of the cross with the monstrance.
Here is a guide to Eucharistic Adoration Etiquette.
“I have often reflected upon the remedies for the universal indifference which is taking hold of so may Catholics in a frightening way. I can find only one: the Eucharist, love for Jesus Eucharistic. Loss of faith comes in the first place from loss of love; darkness, from the loss of light; the freezing cold of death from the absence of fire.” ― Saint Peter Julian Eymard
Why go to adoration? | WHY (2:22)
Make A Holy Hour
The “Holy Hour” made in the presence of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament is a devotion in which we call to mind the Life, Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord. During this hour we seek, through prayer and meditation, the mercy of God, the conversion of souls, the sanctification of sinners and the mitigation of the terrible punishment foretold at Fatima in 1917. Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in France (1671 to 1690), and revealed to her His Sacred Heart wounded by the lack of respect for the Blessed Sacrament –His Body and Blood– and wounded by the many other sins of the world. For that reason Our Lord requested her to originate a Holy Hour of Reparation to His Sacred Heart.
In Pope Pius XI’s Encyclical called Miserentissimus Redemptor, he often refers to the conversations between Jesus and Saint Margaret, and the pressing need for all Catholics to perform acts of reparation and expiation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the sins that the whole human race offers constantly to God.
“My greatest happiness is to be before the Blessed Sacrament, where my heart is, as it were, in Its center.” ― Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
In the Gospel of Matthew, we learn that Jesus and his disciples went to Gethsemane after the Last Supper (Holy Thursday). He shared his suffering and grief with them, knowing of His crucifixion the next day. So, Jesus went to pray, but He asked His disciples to stay awake with Him. When he returned, however, He found the disciples asleep. “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?” (Mt 26:40).
When we make a Holy Hour, we remain and stay awake with Jesus. It’s a powerful and beautiful way to grow closer to Him.
Prayer for Benediction
Lord Jesus Christ, You give us the Eucharist as the memorial of Your suffering and death. May our worship of the Sacrament of Your Body and Blood help us to experience the salvation You won for us and the peace of the Kingdom where You live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, have mercy on us. Praise and adoration evermore be given to the Most Blessed Sacrament. Amen.
