What Is Eucharistic Adoration?

What is the Eucharist? The Eucharist is the sacrament that Jesus estab- lished when he took bread and wine, blessed My dear friends: them, and declared them to be his body and blood The Eucharist is the source and (see Luke 22:17-20). He commanded his disciples Prayer for Vocations What is summit of the life in the Catholic to “Do this in memory of me.” He had earlier fore- God Church told that his presence in the Eucharist would be our Father and our Creator, real and substantial: “I am the living bread that One of the major challenges which we face in the we believe came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread that you have made each of us Church is renewing a sense of vocation and a sense will live forever ... Whoever eats my flesh and Eucharistic of self. drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise in your image and likeness. Help us to lead lives that reflect that belief. him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and God calls; we respond. Each one of us is called by Increase happy vocations my blood is true drink” (John 6:51, 54-55). When God for a particular life’s work. We are many parts to the married life and the single life, a Catholic priest follows this command of Jesus the religious life and the ordained life. Adoration? but one body in Christ Jesus. and offers the words of consecration, the bread May we and wine are permanently changed, and they as husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, I invite each of you to join with me in renewed become Jesus: his body, blood, soul, and divinity. single women and single men, Eucharistic devotion. Place yourself before the [CCC 1373-1376, 1406, 1410, 1412-1413] sisters and brothers, presence of Jesus in the Eucharistic species. As we deacons, priests and bishops, offer our praise and adoration to our God, let us be open to your grace. How long is Jesus present in the sacra- pray especially for more vibrant and life-giving Grant that we may seek always ment of the Eucharist? to do your will vocations. We are called to be examples of faith in Jesus is present in the sacrament permanently. His and delight in the work our own vocation, whether married life, single life, presence is abiding, not something that vanishes at which makes your name and your love ordained life or a consecrated life. the conclusion of Mass. The hosts remaining after known throughout the world. Communion are kept in a special place of honor We ask this prayer The Exposition to the Blessed Sacrament is every called the tabernacle. [CCC 1377, 1379] in the name of Jesus, your Son, 1st Friday of the Month at 9:30 AM and and the Holy Spirit, our guide. Benediction at 6:00 PM. Why is the Blessed Sacrament reserved AMEN in a tabernacle? Could you not watch but one hour with me? The tabernacle was first intended for the reserva- For additional information: tion of the Eucharist in a worthy place so that it Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, April 17, Matthew 26:40 2003 could be brought to the sick and those absent from Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis, February Yours in Christ, the Mass. As faith in the real presence of Christ in 22, 2007 the Eucharist deepened, the Church became more Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Ed., 1997 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Fr. Edwin Limpiado conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Thirty-One Questions on the Adoration of the Lord under the Eucharistic species. Blessed Sacrament, 2004 St. William's Parish What is the relationship of Eucharistic ship. This is commonly called “exposition.” [CCC for Eucharistic adoration. As he gives the blessing, What is proper etiquette during adoration to the Mass? 1378] he elevates the monstrance or other vessel that con- Eucharistic adoration? The celebration of the Mass is the origin and pur- tains the sacred host. Benediction normally follows When we are not taking part in vocal prayers and pose of the worship shown to the Eucharist outside What is exposition of the Blessed a period of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, hymns with other adorers, we should be praying the Mass. Eucharistic adoration extends Holy Sacrament? just prior to its reposition into the Tabernacle. silently. Whenever we pass before the place Communion in a lasting way even as it prepares Exposition is the placement of the sacred host outside where the sacred host is reserved, we should gen- the faithful to participate more fully in the celebra- the tabernacle for public adoration. This can take What are the fruits of Eucharistic uflect. We should observe the modest dress and tion of the Mass. It leads us to acknowledge many forms. The simplest form is the opening of the adoration? decorum that are appropriate to very solemn occa- Christ’s marvelous presence in the sacrament and tabernacle doors. Another form is the removal of the People who observe Eucharistic adoration experi- sions. We should avoid any actions that might dis- invites us to deeper spiritual union with him in the sacred vessels from the tabernacle for a more promi- ence a deeper devotion to Jesus, and this manifests turb or distract others or draw attention to our- reception of Holy Communion. nent and visible placement. The Church also permits itself in countless ways. The primary fruits are selves rather than Jesus. a “full” exposition, when the sacred host is clearly vis- repentance and conversion which lead to What is the importance of Eucharistic ible in a vessel called a “monstrance.” increased charity - that is, the love of Christ alive How should we pray during Eucharistic adoration? in his people. The adoration of Jesus in the adoration? Eucharistic adoration is the respect and worship What is the purpose of exposition of the Eucharist also leads to greater reverence at Mass, a There are many ways to pray. We may meditate we give to Jesus, who is truly present to us under Blessed Sacrament? deeper desire for personal holiness, and a stronger silently by gazing on the sacred host. We may the appearance of bread and wine. The Eucharist There are three purposes of Eucharistic exposition: sense of union with the parish and the whole silently speak to Jesus from our mind and heart. is a priceless treasure; by not only celebrating it (1) to acknowledge Christ’s marvelous presence in Church. Ever since the early centuries of We may also rely on devotions and prayers from but also by praying before it outside of Mass we the sacrament; (2) to lead us to a fuller participa- Christianity, the Church has linked Eucharistic Catholic tradition, such as the reading of Scripture, are enabled to make contact with the very well- tion in the celebration of the Eucharist, culminat- devotion to service to the poor. More recently, the recitation of the rosary, or the litanies. When two spring of grace. As St. Alphonsus Liguori noted, ing in Holy Communion; and (3) to foster the wor- practice has lead to an increase in vocations to the or more are gathered before the Sacrament, they “of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the ship which is due to Christ in spirit and in truth. priesthood, diaconate and religious life. may pray or sing hymns together. Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacra- ments, the one dearest to God and the one most What conditions are necessary How long have Christians practiced What is the best way to promote helpful to us.” [CCC 1418] for proper exposition of the Eucharistic adoration? Eucharistic adoration? sacrament? Christians have adored the Eucharist as long as the The best way to promote Eucharistic adoration is What forms does this adoration take? The sponsors of this devotion should make sure Church has celebrated the Eucharist - that is, from by doing it! Make frequent visits to Jesus at the tab- We show our adoration in many ways. The most that a suitable number of worshippers are present the time of the Apostles. The earliest texts that ernacle. Invite your spouse, your children, your intimate form of adoration is Holy Communion, during the entire time of exposition. The Church speak of the Mass are probably older than some of neighbors, and co-workers to join you. As the when we receive Jesus’ body into our own. The also asks us to light four to six candles around the the New Testament books. In every generation Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, most common and ordinary way we adore Jesus is sacrament, and permits us to use incense. The since the generation of the Apostles, the Church “Because Christ himself is present in the sacrament by genuflecting - that is, kneeling briefly on one Blessed Sacrament may never be left exposed Fathers wrote about Jesus’ real presence in the of the altar, He is to be honored with the worship knee - whenever we pass the tabernacle in a without at least one worshipper present. Eucharist. In the second, third, and fourth cen- of adoration. “To visit the Blessed Sacrament is…a church (see Philippians 2:10). Outside the Mass, turies, Christians in lands as far-flung as Italy, proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a the Church gives us further opportunities to wor- What is Benediction with the Blessed Egypt, North Africa, and Cappadocia (modern-day duty of adoration toward Christ our Lord”(CCC ship Jesus.

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