Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament-First time

[LDNCatholic]

OK, tonight I have decided to go to Adoration for the first time (I never even knew what it was before coming to this website ). What can I expect? How should I act, are there any prayers I should say, or do I just ‘‘sit and listen’’, which I find incredibly hard to do.

Should I kneel for the duration, and also, I have heard that the Blessed Sacrament should not be left alone, if there is nobody else there, do I stay until midnight, when Adoration ends?

Thanks in advance, God bless.

Peter

 

[NPC]

Normally adoration will take place in silence, although in some churches prayers will be recited aloud at a certain time for a particular intention, such as for the sick and the dying. Knowing that you are in the presence of Christ is what matters - you do not have to say any ‘standard’ prayers; you may kneel or sit and simply gaze upon Him. Although you do not have to kneel for the duration of your adoration - especially if it will be a long stretch- it would be proper to kneel for a time when you first come into His presence & before you leave too.

If you wish to say some traditional prayers before the Blessed Sacrament, you will find some nice prayers and hymns here.

With regard to how long you should stay - I would say as long as you can! You are right that the Blessed Sacrament should not be left alone, but perhaps your church has a rota system where at least one person has committed to be there at Adoration at any given time - I think this is how many parishes with perpetual adoration operate.

 

[LDNCatholic]

With regard to how long you should stay - I would say as long as you can! You are right that the Blessed Sacrament should not be left alone, but perhaps your church has a rota system where at least one person has committed to be there at Adoration at any given time - I think this is how many parishes with perpetual adoration operate.

I read once that the person who stays must be strong to protect against desecration or something along those lines, if the people left behind are old women (which is what I expect), should I still stay for the ‘‘protection’’ of the Blessed Sacrament? I intend to stay as long as possible but I have some paperwork to get through tonight and don’t think I could stay the whole 5 hours.

With regard to the prayers I think a Rosary is prayed every 2 hours, but in the ‘‘down time’’ I should probably say those other prayers to keep my mind from wandering.

 

[NPC]

I read once that the person who stays must be strong to protect against desecration or something along those lines, if the people left behind are old women (which is what I expect), should I still stay for the ‘‘protection’’ of the Blessed Sacrament? I intend to stay as long as possible but I have some paperwork to get through tonight and don’t think I could stay the whole 5 hours.

With regard to the prayers I think a Rosary is prayed every 2 hours, but in the ‘‘down time’’ I should probably say those other prayers to keep my mind from wandering.

Yes, one reason is to protect it from desecration. You could make a judgement on it while you are there, perhaps. On the other hand, maybe if the parish does have some rota system in place, they may arrange to have some men present too - it would be common sense to ensure that elderly women are not alone at that time of night. At any rate, coming towards the end of the adoration period, there should be a priest around to remove the Blessed Sacrament to the tabernacle. Some churches are also locked after a certain time, but can be accessed by a combination-lock, or by phoning a member of the adoration team - if this is the case, you should be free to leave when you like without worrying about the possibility of desecration. More than likely Christ will not be left alone because Canon Law directs that lengthy adoration periods should only be arranged if there is sufficient demand for it among the Faithful.

If you really would like to stay until the end, perhaps you could begin your adoration a bit later - such as 10 o’clock - 5 hours would be a very long time, although if you want to stay that long, you won’t get any arguments here!

 

[utunumsint]

OK, tonight I have decided to go to Adoration for the first time (I never even knew what it was before coming to this website ). What can I expect? How should I act, are there any prayers I should say, or do I just ‘‘sit and listen’’, which I find incredibly hard to do.

Should I kneel for the duration, and also, I have heard that the Blessed Sacrament should not be left alone, if there is nobody else there, do I stay until midnight, when Adoration ends?

Thanks in advance, God bless.

Peter

Just think of it as time spent in the presence of Jesus, second person of the Trinity, Lord of the universe. You know, that kind of thing. Sometimes I try to picture myself hanging out with the disciples, by a fire with Jesus, just having some quiet time between locations and between teaching moments.

Another thing that actually brought about my conversion was this sacramental called the 12 promises of the Sacred Heart. Check out the last promise, (number 12).

Anyway, there are no set rules, except for being quiet. I know some people who spend time before the blessed sacrament writing in their spiritual journal. Others do the rosary, or the chaplet of divine mercy. Sometimes I just sit quietly and try to open myself up to what the holy spirit is trying to tell me (I should probably do this one more).

Good luck, and God bless,
Ut

 

[InLight247]

Eucharist Adoration is to adore the Eucharist – the real Presence of our Lord Jesus.
It is basically spending time with the Beloved.
As other posters recommended, you do whatever you want with the Lord, in reverence and in prayer.

One of my parish friends mentioned after going to Eucharist Adoration the first time that she did not feel anything special. She expected something extraordinary to happen on the scene. It is usually not like that. Granted that one cannot help be transformed in front of the Blessed Sacrament, the transformation is usually gradual, not dramatic or instant.That’s why we are encouraged for regular Eucharist Adoration, not just do it once in a while.

If you can discipline yourself for regular Eucharist Adoration, you will see the change in yourself. This is not guaranteed by my words, it is guaranteed by the grace of the Eucharist. God bless!

 

[MarieVeronica]

If you have difficulty, in just sitting… maybe bring your Bible, and do some reading of Sacred Scripture. You can also pray the Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Litany of the Sacred Heart… etc.

But do try just sitting and adoring Him, quietly. You will be surprised at the graces you receive, from just basking in His Glorious Presence. I once heard it said… that “Silence is the first language of God”. When we listen, silently… He speaks to us. God bless you.

 

[kage_ar]

Adoration - such a wonderful gift.

For me, there is prayer, silent listening, and reading (usually Scripture, sometimes other spiritual reading - there is a selection of books in our Adoration Chapel for those who do not bring something along.)

When alone and I know I will not bother anyone, I will sing sometimes.

I will kneel, stand and sit - some people will prostrate themselves before the Sacrament.

About staying, as we have 24/7 Adoration, every hour has someone committed to be there. Others can come and go as they please. If your Parish only has a few hours, they have most likely arranged some people who are committed to stay the entire time. Call and ask if you are uncertain!