Eucharistic Adoration
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Click HERE to access Adoration Hymns & Prayers
We invite you to join us online or in-person for our daily holy hour at 6:30 PM which begins with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by the Rosary & Evening Prayer (Vespers), and concludes with silent meditation. To join us online, Click HERE.
Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” (John 6:53-58)WHAT IS EUCHARISTIC ADORATION?
People who are new to Catholic life—or who are looking for a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ—often ask, “What is Eucharistic Adoration?” At its heart, Adoration is an invitation to sit in the Lord’s presence and to listen attentively to His voice through silent prayer.
UNDERSTANDING EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Eucharistic Adoration is a form of prayer in which we come before Jesus Christ, truly present in the Eucharist. The consecrated Host, also known as the Blessed Sacrament, is normally reserved in the tabernacle of the church.
Although God is omnipresent, dwells within us and we can pray to God anywhere, there is something uniquely powerful about praying before the Eucharist during exposition. When we adore Christ in the Eucharist, we place ourselves before the mystery of His saving love—before the sacrificial gift of His very life for our redemption.
The Church professes that in the consecrated Host we encounter:
“His body, blood, soul and divinity that is really, truly, and substantially present in the Eucharist.”
We receive Jesus in Holy Communion during the Mass, which is the highest act of worship entrusted to us as Catholics. Yet the grace of that encounter does not end when Mass concludes. Because Jesus remains present in every tabernacle throughout the world, we can continue to adore Him—quietly, reverently, and personally—in prayer after Mass. Spending time before His body, blood, soul, and divinity becomes a source of spiritual strength, consolation, and profound nourishment.
HOW TO PRACTICE EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Once we understand what Eucharistic Adoration is, we can begin to explore ways to pray during this time. Some people speak to Jesus from the heart; others pray the Rosary, read Scripture, or simply rest silently at the feet of Jesus like Mary of Bethany did.
Adoration may also be shared as a communal act of worship. In our parish, we hold a daily holy hour at 6:30 PM that includes recitation of the Rosary, Evening Prayer and silent meditation. All are warmly welcome to come and pray with us as we adore Christ in the Eucharist together.
WHY THE CHURCH VALUES EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
The importance of this devotion is reflected in the fact that the Church provides a formal liturgical structure for it, known as the Order of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction. This rite extends the worship we offer during every Mass, when we hear the priest proclaim:
“Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.”
Exposition arises from the sacrifice of the Mass and fosters in us a deeper longing for full communion with Christ and with His Church. The rite concludes with the ordained minister blessing the congregation with the Blessed Sacrament.
Prayers traditionally associated with this rite include the Anima Christi and the Tantum Ergo.
We invite you to reflect: What graces have you received through time spent before the Eucharist?
Do you have questions or comments about your experiences related to Adoration? You are welcome to share your thoughts with us by completing the below form.