Eucharistic Adoration: Be Silent or Loud?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Oshiego_Rod
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
O

Oshiego_Rod

Guest
I went to an awesome retreat this past weekend. I spent some quiet time with the Lord in adoration when my fellow brothers and sisters joined me. It was good to be one body in Christ adoring the Lord physically present in the Eucharist before us. Then someone began to sing some reflective songs acapella. I was a little disturbed but the songs did set the mood to reflect. Then we were asked to pray over each other, like in a healing Mass. It began with whispers then it got a bit loud and intense. Someone even began screaming in tongues and collapsed to the ground in tears. Soon, the session came to a close and then they brought in guitars for a praise and worship service. My concern grew if there was anyone outside our group in silent prayer in the ajoining Church, but at the time there was no one. They did mention that the priest said it was okay, but I stil felt uneasy. I enjoy the quiet solemness of the Mass and Adoration, and I do enjoy praise and worship services, it is like a concert for the Lord. But I do feel that there is a time and place for everything and when the Blessed Sacrament is there with Christ present in the Eucharist, I want to give reverence by being silent and still before the Lord. I don’t know if I am making a big deal out of this. :confused:
 
If it was MEANT to be a group event, then I can see having some sort of co-ordinated activity. But in general, adoration is a time for quiet and reflection. When I can attend my parish’s perpetual adoration chapel (which seems to be less and less lately) my hour is late at night and I am the only one there. That way I can choose to have a “conversation” with Christ if I choose without offending others. I would never dream of going the chapel with someone else present and doing something that could potentially distract the other people there.
 
“The Priest said it was okay”. My gut feeling is it was not. I’ve not heard many Catholics ever put much stock in screaming, and so-called “speaking-in-tongues”.

Sorry if this sounds very negative, but this is my gut reaction, i.e. that it was all very inappropriate.
 
Hi Rod, Sounds like some sort of “charismatic adoration” you attended.
You are not making a big deal of it at all.

Here is a site that may be of interest to you…

therealpresence.org/
 
There are two different chapels that I go to in my area. One is silent, always. The other one isn’t and even has a piano for people who want to sing or play.

At the second one, the committed adorer for that hour makes the decision as to whether it should be silent or be loud. Personally, I prefer the silent chapel. I think the situation you are describing is a little “out there” for most of us. I can’t say it’s unheard of though.

Blessings,

Ancilla
 
Color me a Traditional, old-fashioned Catholic - but to me when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, isn’t it supposed to be a seriously respectful time? During the Exposition, it’s not “The Divine Prisoner” as I’ve heard the Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament referred to when locked inside the Tabernacle. It’s exposed for Adoration - for our eyes to behold - a sort of “limited time only” offer. Beyond the Divine Praises, or some other traditionally-said prayers during Benediction, then the Tantum Ergo hymn, etc., IF the Blessed Sacrament is left exposed for any longer period of time - it’s a respectully silent, you-can-almost-hear-a-pindrop prayerful Adoration or silent prayers.

But the thought of people talking in tongues, screaming (no less) or anything else described by the OP - has me concerned. Do they stand? When they genuflect (do they?), is it on two knees? I’m not saint by any means - but have people lost sight of what’s in front of them? I recently walked in accidentally on a healing Mass/ceremony. Unless I misunderstood him, I think the priest said it occurred to him then to expose the Blessed Sacrament while the healing ceremony took place. There was no screaming, singing was quiet but with guitars, which (although I used to play guitar in Mass myself) I’m not crazy about.

Give me good old-fashioned reverence where we are more conscious of one thing - what’s on the Center Altar - the Blessed Sacrament !
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top