Adoration and what is appropriate?

[fieldsparrow]

So, I have had a rather tumultuous two weeks. Work is very trying; Mother’s Day is a sad reminder for me; annulment paperwork; etc. I have also had many great graces: Loving friends, amazing spiritual opportunities, and the blessing of receiving Christ at the Eucharist. After work today all I wanted to do was go to the chapel where we have permanent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, lie on the floor, and bawl for confusion, sadness, and happiness. Basically I wanted to lie on His lap like I used to lie on my mother’s lap when I was overwhelmed with so many things.

I couldn’t go today, because I had promised someone a ride home. But I am going tomorrow. I suspect it is probably frowned upon to take up the middle of the floor in the fetal position, but is it OK to prostrate oneself if one uses the side aisle, so that others can still come in and out? I don’t want to distract anyone else’s opportunity to worship. And yet I just want to go cry on Jesus’ shoulder for a little while.

The other times I have gone to Adoration, there are usually five or six people present. The chapel is not at my parish, but is in my diocese. At my parish, the Blessed Sacrament is not exposed often, but I could also speak with my pastor (who has a horrible cold, please pray for him) and ask to do this there instead, at least in the presence of the tabernacle. I don’t know. I just don’t want to be a distraction.

 

[marytk]

So, I have had a rather tumultuous two weeks. Work is very trying; Mother’s Day is a sad reminder for me; annulment paperwork; etc. I have also had many great graces: Loving friends, amazing spiritual opportunities, and the blessing of receiving Christ at the Eucharist. After work today all I wanted to do was go to the chapel where we have permanent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, lie on the floor, and bawl for confusion, sadness, and happiness. Basically I wanted to lie on His lap like I used to lie on my mother’s lap when I was overwhelmed with so many things.

I couldn’t go today, because I had promised someone a ride home. But I am going tomorrow. I suspect it is probably frowned upon to take up the middle of the floor in the fetal position, but is it OK to prostrate oneself if one uses the side aisle, so that others can still come in and out? I don’t want to distract anyone else’s opportunity to worship. And yet I just want to go cry on Jesus’ shoulder for a little while.

The other times I have gone to Adoration, there are usually five or six people present. The chapel is not at my parish, but is in my diocese. At my parish, the Blessed Sacrament is not exposed often, but I could also speak with my pastor (who has a horrible cold, please pray for him) and ask to do this there instead, at least in the presence of the tabernacle. I don’t know. I just don’t want to be a distraction.

All I know is that we do have people who prostrate themselves in our Adoration Chapel. I have done it too. (There was a time when I had my appointment time alone and often had parts of the hour when I was alone there so I felt very free to do so.)
It is thoughtful to not be in anyone’s way. I think it is wonderful that we have this relationship with HIM. He is the King of kings and we all should be face down BUT he made himself our brother and sometimes I just want to be John and lean on my Lord.

 

[onmyknees]

So, I have had a rather tumultuous two weeks. Work is very trying; Mother’s Day is a sad reminder for me; annulment paperwork; etc. I have also had many great graces: Loving friends, amazing spiritual opportunities, and the blessing of receiving Christ at the Eucharist. After work today all I wanted to do was go to the chapel where we have permanent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, lie on the floor, and bawl for confusion, sadness, and happiness. Basically I wanted to lie on His lap like I used to lie on my mother’s lap when I was overwhelmed with so many things.

I couldn’t go today, because I had promised someone a ride home. But I am going tomorrow. I suspect it is probably frowned upon to take up the middle of the floor in the fetal position, but is it OK to prostrate oneself if one uses the side aisle, so that others can still come in and out? I don’t want to distract anyone else’s opportunity to worship. And yet I just want to go cry on Jesus’ shoulder for a little while.

The other times I have gone to Adoration, there are usually five or six people present. The chapel is not at my parish, but is in my diocese. At my parish, the Blessed Sacrament is not exposed often, but I could also speak with my pastor (who has a horrible cold, please pray for him) and ask to do this there instead, at least in the presence of the tabernacle. I don’t know. I just don’t want to be a distraction.

We have perpetual Adoration at our parish and I am like you I love it when I go at night the only one there is Jesus. I often will kneel on the floor and begin to cry and cry to Him. One time I was so distraught that I put my head on His shoulder and sobbed then I slow danced with Him. It was so comforting! Everything was going to be alright. I thought about how this was what it would be like when He will be our eternal spouse.

 

[tabitha19]

My Church doesn’t open the doors for free adoration. We do adoration on certain days but it is like when we sing songs, say prayers, and put our Lord back in the tabernacle. I think it is because of the violence around our Church. Is this what you are talking about? I wish I could go to a Church or chapel that has adoration and I could talk and pray to Jesus. That would be cool!:bowdown2:

 

[mlz]

I love going to Adoration and understand your desire to recieve the Lord’s comfort in this way. I often visualize lying my head on His shoulder when I can’t actually do it. It is a wonderful way to be comforted. I enjoy being alone with the Lord during Adoration but also am sad that only I’m there and so many could be there with Him. I would ask the pastor of that parish what is appropriate.

Blessings,
mlz

 

[smad0142]

Go late at night or early in the morning, that way it is easier for you and people are less. I have an hour every Saturday night at 8, all by myself. I love being alone with God! And it also gives me the freedom to pray how I want to/ or need to without worrying about others or being self-conscious.

 

[Cat]

So, I have had a rather tumultuous two weeks. Work is very trying; Mother’s Day is a sad reminder for me; annulment paperwork; etc. I have also had many great graces: Loving friends, amazing spiritual opportunities, and the blessing of receiving Christ at the Eucharist. After work today all I wanted to do was go to the chapel where we have permanent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, lie on the floor, and bawl for confusion, sadness, and happiness. Basically I wanted to lie on His lap like I used to lie on my mother’s lap when I was overwhelmed with so many things.

I couldn’t go today, because I had promised someone a ride home. But I am going tomorrow. I suspect it is probably frowned upon to take up the middle of the floor in the fetal position, but is it OK to prostrate oneself if one uses the side aisle, so that others can still come in and out? I don’t want to distract anyone else’s opportunity to worship. And yet I just want to go cry on Jesus’ shoulder for a little while.

The other times I have gone to Adoration, there are usually five or six people present. The chapel is not at my parish, but is in my diocese. At my parish, the Blessed Sacrament is not exposed often, but I could also speak with my pastor (who has a horrible cold, please pray for him) and ask to do this there instead, at least in the presence of the tabernacle. I don’t know. I just don’t want to be a distraction.

We have a 24/7 Adoration Chapel, and I’ve seen people prostrate themselves. I’ve also seen people in the throes of grief, crying and sitting on the floor as close to the monstrance as is allowed. I would say go ahead and adore the Lord in these ways.

Two suggestions:

1. Do not be surprised or annoyed if someone checks to make sure that you are physically OK. I would do this, even if the person is young, but especially for anyone a little older. No one wants to ignore someone who has had a heart attack, stroke, or seizure. Just remember that we are being charitable, not nosy.
2. Be careful about what you wear. I’ve seen women in dresses (long,not short) do this, and it’s not really a good idea because the outline of the woman’s body is rather obvious amd sometimes the bare leg is uncovered (even if the dress is long). I can see why a man might find the posture provocative. I would suggest wearing some kind of lose slacks, and make sure that your top is long enough to cover your bare back and derriere while you’re lying on the floor.

There are times that I wish that we had an hour set aside for females and another hour for males. Normally it isn’t an issue, but I can see where a time of adoration with just one sex would feel more “free.” Oh, well, it’s not really a big deal.

1. Finally, if you were crying throughout your time of adoration, don’t be surprised or put off if someone approaches you as you leave and asks if you’re OK, and if there’s anything they can do to help you. This happens all the time in our Adoration Chapel.

 

[fieldsparrow]

Thank you all for the thoughts and info. I am less overwhelmed today so I’m just going to go and see how I feel. I think just some quiet reflection will do well.