Encounter Jesus Like You Never Have Before – Part 2 of 2

Yesterday in Part 1, I defined what adoration and Eucharistic adoration are. In addition, I shared a brief history about it, the purpose as to why Catholics adore Jesus in the Eucharist and how to pray during a holy hour. Now I would like to share with you the details on an important, parish event that took place back on Wednesday, September 30th, through the leadership of our Director of Religious Education (D.R.E.), Karen Clor. Our parish offered Eucharistic Adoration, and it was a chance to rest with Jesus in silence. Jesus says, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mk. 6:31). Jesus also says in Mt. 11:28, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” All you need to do is show up with an open heart, a restful spirit and be prepared to sit with Jesus in the silence…something we all need at times to refresh our minds and souls. Who better to do it with than with our Divine Physician and King of Kings, Jesus Christ.

The evening entailed adoration of the Blessed Sacrament that was not only available for our catechism students and their parents, but also for the whole parish. Since the theme of adoration is Family Night, the focus was on praying to Jesus for our families, which was timely because of Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. which included a gathering for the World Meeting of Families on September 26th-27th in Philadelphia. Speaking of time, it started at 6:00pm. I gave a brief, 5-10 minute presentation on what adoration is followed by Nancy Trudell, who discussed the spirituality of adoration on how we can effectively spend our time during the holy hour. Adoration began at 6:20pm and went on until about 7:00pm when our catechism students came over from the school to join us for adoration in church at the St. Stephen site. Benediction (blessing) followed and concluded around 7:15pm when the Eucharist was reposed (or put back) in the tabernacle. At that time the catechism students and their parents were dismissed from church.

What can I expect to experience at an adoration event in my own parish or one nearby? You will see how the Eucharistic Jesus will be placed in a monstrance which is like a metal sunburst that sits on the altar. How long will Jesus be present in the monstrance? About an hour…On Tuesday mornings at Holy Trinity Parish from 9:45am – 10:45 am, Jesus is present in the St. Stephen’s chapel for one hour. All are welcome to attend this weekly event. If you are free, I encourage and challenge you to set a goal to also spend one hour with Jesus per week. You might not be able to do that right off the bat. Like someone who just starts to exercise by running or lifting weights, you start out small and slow just like with adoration. The same principle applies, whether physical or spiritual. You may need to start at five or 10 minutes and build up from there. At an adoration event, be ready to use your senses as rich elements of incense, music, candles, and different-than-normal, priestly vestments (i.e. cope and humeral veil) will be used to make your adoration prayer more fruitful.

St. John Paul II wrote in an encyclical letter on the Eucharist that all Catholics are called to contemplate the Eucharistic face of Christ (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, no. 7). This is a faith opportunity for you to behold the face of Jesus truly present in the Eucharist. “By worshipping the Eucharistic Jesus, we become what God wants us to be! Like a magnet, the Lord draws us to Himself and gently transforms us. In its fullest essence…Eucharistic Adoration is ‘God and Man reaching out for each other, at the same time!” (Source: http://catholic-church.org/kuwait/eucharistic_adoration.htm). May we reach out to Jesus with a heart full of desire that can only be filled by his mercy and love. Amen.

– Fr. Jeff Allan

Resources:
Boer, Paul A. and St. Peter Julian Eymard. The Real Presence.
Flynn, Vinny. Seven Secrets of the Eucharist.
Groeschel, Fr. Benedict. Praying in The Presence of Our Lord: Prayers for Eucharistic Adoration.
Racine, Fr. Florian. Could You Not Watch With Me One Hour: How to Cultivate A Deeper Relationship with The Lord Through Eucharistic Adoration.