WHAT IS ADORATION?
Eucharistic Adoration is the worship of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist outside of the Mass. The consecrated Host (which has become Jesus Himself) is displayed in a Monstrance on the Altar so that all can see and pray in the presence of Christ
WHY DO WE DO IT?
The answer to that question comes directly out of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “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)
WHAT TO BRING
Yourself, with an open mind and heart.
You can also (but do not have to) bring:
A Rosary.
A Bible, or other spiritual reading.
A prayer journal and writing implement.
HOW DO WE DO IT?
We can show our adoration to God in many ways, but in Eucharistic Adoration, we spend time adoring the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Here are a few ideas for how to spend this time well:
1. Enter in silence, and in reverence toward the Blessed Sacrament. Remember that it is God Himself who is really, truly, and substantially present in the Consecrated Host.
2. Begin with a prayer to prepare your heart, and take a few moments to adjust from the noise of the outside world to the silence and peace of Christ’s presence.
3. Spend a few minutes in spiritual reading. It can be from the Gospels, a reflection from a prayer book, or a few lines of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Read until something strikes you. Then, after some reflection, stay in silence and meditate on what you have just read.
4. Writing in a prayer journal is something that many people find helpful. Think of the practice as writing a letter to God. Deliver your worries to Him or write to Him about things that are going well.
5. Pray the Rosary. Contemplating the mysteries of Jesus’ life in the Rosary is to contemplate the mystery of Jesus in Blessed Sacrament, whom we praise in Adoration. Or pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, or another devotion.
6. Don’t be afraid to just be quiet, silent, and alone with the Lord, and just to “bask” in the beautiful, peaceful presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
7. When you are ready to leave, offer to the Lord a departing prayer. This can be a spontaneous prayer of thanksgiving, or you can privately use the prayers of Benediction, which is given at the end of Solemn Adoration.