Adoration/Holy Hour
“It is impossible in human terms to exaggerate the importance of being in a church or chapel before the Blessed Sacrament as often and for as long as our daily duties…allow. I very seldom repeat what I say. Let me repeat this sentence. It is impossible in human language to exaggerate the importance of being in a chapel or church before the Blessed Sacrament as often and for as long as our duties…allow. That sentence is the talisman of the highest sanctity.” ~Fr. John Hardon, S.J.
“Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil. Adoration is homage of the spirit to the “King of Glory,” respectful silence in the presence of the “ever greater” God. Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our supplications” (CCC 2628).
In the most basic terms, Eucharistic adoration is the worship of the Eucharist outside of the Mass. The Eucharistic Host is displayed in a monstrance on the altar so that all can see and pray in the presence of Christ. We can show our adoration to God in many ways, but in Eucharistic Adoration, we spend time adoring the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
What Do I Do During Eucharistic Adoration?
If you attend Adoration at your parish, it will most likely be in a small chapel or part of the Church. As a form of respect, you should always genuflect when you see the Lord in the Host. Maintain an attitude of respect, and if others are present, silence. On retreats or other special occasions, there may be music playing to help foster a spirit of prayer, worship, and adoration. Always keep in mind that you are in the presence of God!
Kneeling, sitting, standing, and even laying on the floor before the Blessed Sacrament are all appropriate forms of prayer. Let your posture reflect your worship of the King and do what is comfortable for you.
You really don’t have to “do” anything during Adoration. You can just sit there and look at Jesus. Take the time to be with Him. If you are the only person in the chapel, don’t be afraid to pray or sing aloud. This is your personal time with Christ.
(Becky Roach, CatholicLink)
St. John Paul II on Adoration:
From Ecclesia de Eucharistia (2003)
(25) The worship of the Eucharist outside of the Mass is of inestimable value for the life of the Church. This worship is strictly linked to the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice. The presence of Christ under the sacred species reserved after Mass — a presence which lasts as long as the species of bread and of wine remain — derives from the celebration of the sacrifice and is directed towards communion, both sacramental and spiritual. It is the responsibility of Pastors to encourage, also by their personal witness, the practice of Eucharistic adoration, and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in particular, as well as prayer of adoration before Christ present under the Eucharistic species.
It is pleasant to spend time with Him, to lie close to His breast like the Beloved Disciple (cf. Jn 13:25) and to feel the infinite love present in His heart. If in our time Christians must be distinguished above all by the “art of prayer,” how can we not feel a renewed need to spend time in spiritual conversation, in silent adoration, in heartfelt love before Christ present in the Most Holy Sacrament? How often, dear brother and sisters, have I experienced this, and drawn from it strength, consolation and support!
This practice … is supported by the example of many saints. Particularly outstanding in this regard was Saint Alphonsus Liguori, who wrote: “Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us.” The Eucharist is a priceless treasure: by not only celebrating it but also by praying before it outside of Mass we are enabled to make contact with the very wellspring of grace.
St. Paul VI on adoration:
From Mysterium Fidei (1965)
(55) The Catholic Church has held firm to this belief in the presence of Christ’s Body and Blood in the Eucharist not only in her teaching but in her life as well, since she has at all times paid this great Sacrament the worship known as latria, which may be given to God alone. As Saint Augustine says: “It was in His flesh that Christ walked among us and it is His flesh that He has given us to eat for our salvation; but no one eats of this flesh without having first adored it ... and not only do we not sin in thus adoring it, but we would be sinning if we did not do so.”
Practical things you can do and maybe invite your mentee to do:
Invite people to spend time in front of the Eucharist and to experience Eucharistic Adoration when it is available in their parish.
Specifically invite them to make a weekly commitment by signing up to be a regular adorer if compatible with their family situation.
Remind people and yourself about the following truths:
Adoration can also be done when the Blessed Sacrament is not exposed in the monstrance. Any time you enter a church or a chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the tabernacle, you are in the presence of Jesus.
We fulfill Jesus’ desire when we go to adoration because Jesus Himself asked His friends to watch and pray for one hour with Him while He was in agony in the Garden.
He desires our presence.
Listen to the invitation and nudging of the Holy Spirit: John Paul II, “Let us not refuse the time to go meet with him in Adoration.”
One may say, “I am not worthy of His presence.” Nobody is, but during that time it is Jesus who works for you and in you; He wants to be loved by His friends.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux says that when we are exposed to the Eucharist, we get changed even if we don’t realize it, like people get tan when exposed to the sun.
The more you spend time with somebody, the more you become similar to him.
Think of Him, and not of you. Praise and taste His presence.