Apprehensive about Adoration

  • Thread starter Thread starter MissMichal
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

MissMichal

Guest
Hi all,

My church has adoration every Friday, and I intend to go (it’s in about 3 hours), but I’m a bit apprehensive because I’ve never been. Can one of you give me a quick rundown on what takes place and what one should do? I would appreciate it.

Pax,
-S-
 
It sounds like you’re talking about your church exposing the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance. Well, it’s pretty simple. If you get there at the very beginning there will probably be Benediction (back page of the missalette). If you come in while the Blessed Sacrament is exposed (in the monstrance) a double-genuflect (getting on both knees) in the aisle shows due reverence, traditionally. There will likely be some persons who lead the Rosary or the Divine Mercy chaplet along with a few other prayers. Sometimes, the priest will lead a litany (in May - of the BVM probably) or the Angelus. At the end of the Exposition, the Benediction (back page of the missalette) will be said or sung.
That’s all - during the rest of the time you can read Scripture, read Saints writings, pray silently, etc.

Hope that helps.
 
I’ve been told you are not supposed to say a rosary during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & here is why; it makes sense.
Since in a rosary you pray through Mary to Jesus there is no need to pary a rosary because He is there!
What do you think?
 
Agatina said:
I’ve been told you are not supposed to say a rosary during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & here is why; it makes sense.
Since in a rosary you pray through Mary to Jesus there is no need to pary a rosary because He is there!
Click to expand...
I don’t buy it. Many Eucharistic devotions are Marian as well, because the Incarnation (which is part of the mystery of the Eucharist) was made possible through Mary. The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy says this concerning the use of the Rosary during Eucharistic Adoration: “Given the close relationship between Christ and Our Lady, the rosary can always be of assistance in giving prayer a Christological orientation, since it contains meditation of the Incarnation and the Redemption.” (#165)

One of the other posters here suggests that just before you pray in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, you should “ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to come and stand between you and her Eucharistic Son so that her soul can ‘magnify the Lord’ (cf. Luke 1:47) for you so that you can better see Him.”

See this article from the Adoremus Bulletin.
 
MissMichal said:
Hi all,

My church has adoration every Friday, and I intend to go (it’s in about 3 hours), but I’m a bit apprehensive because I’ve never been. Can one of you give me a quick rundown on what takes place and what one should do? I would appreciate it.

Pax,
-S-
Click to expand...
It could be any of the following. They may pray Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of Hours, or they may pray the Holy Hour of Reparation and that may or may not include praying the rosary. If the Blessed Sacrament is exposed and you have a priest or deacon leading, you will have or should have benediction and most likely will sing the Tantum Ergo as well as other hymns. You’ll have to let us know what you are doing in your parish.
 
Well, I went. I actually got a lot out of it and I’m glad I did go.

When I got there, the chapel was silent (a new experience at my parish), and the monstrance was on the altar. There were lots of books on adoration on a table in the gathering space that one could borrow and use. There were only a few of us present. I took a place in the pew and chose to just “be,” rather than praying in any specific way. Unfortunately, my son got the wiggles before too long, and we had to excuse ourselves. I let him walk home, since we only live a few blocks from church, and went back in. There was music when I returned (taize), simple hymns with piano and voice. It was beautiful, but I liked the silence better. I stayed only for a few minutes then, this time offering specific intentions, then I caught up with the lady to whom I had lent my Rosary beforehand (long story), chatted for a few minutes outside, and went home.

Things I learned:
Go right at 7:30 for the period of silent adoration, because that works better for me.
Let my son stay home!
If I kneel for half an hour, it’s really interesting when I try to get up.
Being in the Lord’s presence is truly amazing.
 
Letting your son stay home may be easier, however in order for him to be able to adore (Jesus told us not to keep children from Him), it may be good to take him every once in a while so he can benefit, more and more.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top