Eucharistic Adoration

[Adam14]

First of all…I’m going to attend RCIA this September, up until then, I’ll be going to the Inquision Sessions that meet once or twice monthy…so with that being said, I just have some questions concerning the Eucharist…

Question 1: I’ve read about Eucharistic Adoration, where folks can sign up to spend time along with the Eucharist. Has anyone here ever done this, and if so, what are your thoughts? I imagine that it is incredible, and I am very intersted in hearing some of your experiences if you don’t mind sharing.

Question 2: Upon joining the Lutheran church a few years ago, I learned the importance of Communion, and before that never really gave it much thought. I know the Catholic church doesn’t view communion at a Lutheran church as being valid, but I do have to admit that I got an awesome sense of peace when recieving it. Do any of your ex-protestants feel a difference between communion now and before becoming Catholic?

Thanks

 

[ralphinal]

First of all…I’m going to attend RCIA this September, up until then, I’ll be going to the Inquision Sessions that meet once or twice monthy…so with that being said, I just have some questions concerning the Eucharist…

Question 1: I’ve read about Eucharistic Adoration, where folks can sign up to spend time along with the Eucharist. Has anyone here ever done this, and if so, what are your thoughts? I imagine that it is incredible, and I am very intersted in hearing some of your experiences if you don’t mind sharing.

Question 2: Upon joining the Lutheran church a few years ago, I learned the importance of Communion, and before that never really gave it much thought. I know the Catholic church doesn’t view communion at a Lutheran church as being valid, but I do have to admit that I got an awesome sense of peace when recieving it. Do any of your ex-protestants feel a difference between communion now and before becoming Catholic?

Thanks

If you don’t mind, I would like to give a Catholic Answer to the first question. I participate in Adoration weekly at my Church in what was a young adults group that has become an all adults group. I also try to get to adoration more. I love it. It is a cross between meditation and just plain old quiet time for me. I read the Bible, say the rosary, read other spiritual works, or just sit there with Jesus. It is both rewarding and calming. It may take some getting used to, depending on how hyper you are, but once you learn to be calm in the presence of God, I think that you will love it.

 

[judcath4]

I remember my first Adoration, I was nervous. I learned that when you walk in it is appropriate to kneel on BOTH knees as soon as you open the door. I just internally let out all my feelings inside and spoke to Jesus from my mind. There is a sense of peace there and the Presence of the Lord is with you.

 

[Adam14]

Thanks for the info!

I think it’s great that people can go and do this, and I think it’s very interesting to learn from other’s experiences with this. I often wonder what exactly I will be supposed to do, whenever I do get to do this.

I have an issue with myself(don’t we all), where when I pray(usually silently), I often find myself getting distracted and I’ll start thinking of something else, and repeating a particular part of the prayer over and over (as if God didn’t hear that part, because I was trying to avoid the car that cut me off when I was praying it). Afterwords I wonder if I was really praying, or if I was merely thinking to myself. So, sometimes I feel as if my prayer is “better” if I not only shut my mouth, but also just stop thinking, and let my soul do the talking, if that makes any sense. So that’s a part of the reason I ask the questions in my first post, to see how others speak to Jesus.

As I become more drawn to the Catholic church, I feel that Eucharist Adoration, as well as communion will be more moving.

 

[Mrs_Mac]

First of all…I’m going to attend RCIA this September, up until then, I’ll be going to the Inquision Sessions that meet once or twice monthy…so with that being said, I just have some questions concerning the Eucharist…

Question 1: I’ve read about Eucharistic Adoration, where folks can sign up to spend time along with the Eucharist. Has anyone here ever done this, and if so, what are your thoughts? I imagine that it is incredible, and I am very intersted in hearing some of your experiences if you don’t mind sharing.

Question 2: Upon joining the Lutheran church a few years ago, I learned the importance of Communion, and before that never really gave it much thought. I know the Catholic church doesn’t view communion at a Lutheran church as being valid, but I do have to admit that I got an awesome sense of peace when recieving it. Do any of your ex-protestants feel a difference between communion now and before becoming Catholic?

Thanks

In answer to Question 2, it’s not so much a difference in how I “feel” taking the Eucharist as a Catholic, but the results that flow from the sacrament. I was raised Episcopalian and always believed in the real presence of Christ in Communion. I felt a sense of peace receiving it.

However, since becoming Catholic a little over a year ago, I truly believe that the Eucharist has changed me from the inside out. It has given me the grace to help me avoid sin and build up spiritual virtues. That’s the very meaning of a Sacrament- a sign instituted by Christ to confer grace.

Blessings,

Mrs. Mac

 

[judcath4]

Thanks for the info!

I think it’s great that people can go and do this, and I think it’s very interesting to learn from other’s experiences with this. I often wonder what exactly I will be supposed to do, whenever I do get to do this.

I have an issue with myself(don’t we all), where when I pray(usually silently), I often find myself getting distracted and I’ll start thinking of something else, and repeating a particular part of the prayer over and over (as if God didn’t hear that part, because I was trying to avoid the car that cut me off when I was praying it). Afterwords I wonder if I was really praying, or if I was merely thinking to myself. So, sometimes I feel as if my prayer is “better” if I not only shut my mouth, but also just stop thinking, and let my soul do the talking, if that makes any sense. So that’s a part of the reason I ask the questions in my first post, to see how others speak to Jesus.

As I become more drawn to the Catholic church, I feel that Eucharist Adoration, as well as communion will be more moving.

Adam, everyone’s mind wanders so don’t worry about it. I remember once thinking what I could make for dinner one day during a homily…God doesn’t say it’s a sin, it just happens.

 

[ralphinal]

Adam, everyone’s mind wanders so don’t worry about it. I remember once thinking what I could make for dinner one day during a homily…God doesn’t say it’s a sin, it just happens.

I agree 100%. I have found that during adoration, my mind wonders less about the world around me. Since there are usually a few people there, there are less human distractions. Internally, it is still the same. It just takes some getting used to.

Sometimes, it is good for your mind to wander some. A priest told me once that sometimes, it is a temptation, sometimes, however, it is the Holy Spirit showing you what your prayers should be.

Just be still and let God speak from time to time. All people spend too much time telling God and not listening.

 

[Cat]

Eucharistic Adoration is a time to be with Jesus Truly Present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

Just be with Him. You don’t have to pray. You don’t have to study the Bible or any other book. You don’t have to do anything but be with Him.

If your mind wanders, that’s OK. When you are with a person that you love (spouse, child, parent, friend, etc.) surely your mind wanders? Mine does. It’s OK.

When I go to Adoration Hour, I usually pray (Rosary or some other chaplet). And I often study or just read either my Bible or my Catechism. I know that when I am in the presence of Jesus, He will help me to understand what I am reading.

And I also just sit and adore Jesus. How? Well, I have a major crush on an actor, and I can stare at his picture for several minutes or more without actually doing or saying anything! Once I saw my favorite actor in person at a convention–I was breathless! I just stared at him! I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

So I’m a really good adorer! If I can sit and stare and get all googly-eyed over an actor that I’ve never even met and think about all his beautiful traits, I can certainly sit and stare at the Lord Jesus Christ and think about all His beautiful traits and all that He has done for me!

 

[vocatio]

First for the “rules” of thumb

Sanctuary with Christ in the tabernacle you bend on your right knee.
When kneeling before a sacramental you kneel on your left knee.
When the Blessed Sacrament [boy of Christ] is exposed by sight you go to both knees becaue we believe that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist.

As far as what to do…all or nothing… prayer, reading. But if you want to learn to do it the way I was taught by listening to Archbishop Sheen and figured out from my own experience. You “watch” on hour with Christ. You open your mind and you do it a little longer each time. This builds up you ability to listen to Christ. It takes lots of practice and some never aquire the ability to do it this way. However, do not be discouraged, just be joyful that you are able to be with Christ the way you can be with him, even with all the noise. But try to remove the noise from your life by placing that in front of Christ for that time. You will grow much closer to Christ that way and your faith will mature.

Welcome Home.

 

[Malachi4U]

…Question 1: I’ve read about Eucharistic Adoration, where folks can sign up to spend time along with the Eucharist. Has anyone here ever done this, and if so, what are your thoughts? I imagine that it is incredible, and I am very intersted in hearing some of your experiences if you don’t mind sharing.

This is a wonderfull time where you get to just be with God. You get to talk and pray to Him. You can go deep into meditation like you never knew possible. When I was a Protestant I knew God was everywhere and was allways with me. But when you actually get to knell down to Him in His presence and worship/adore Him you enter a new level of experience in emotion and bonding to Him.

Question 2: Upon joining the Lutheran church a few years ago, I learned the importance of Communion, and before that never really gave it much thought. I know the Catholic church doesn’t view communion at a Lutheran church as being valid, but I do have to admit that I got an awesome sense of peace when recieving it. Do any of your ex-protestants feel a difference between communion now and before becoming Catholic?

Thanks

I too went to a Lutheran congregation before I became Catholic. Many people ‘thought’ they were recieving the Christ and acted just like the Catholics during comunion. But when they cleaned the alter they just flung the bread crumbs off onto the carpet or into a trash can. They walked over the crumbs and tossed the bread into the dumpster. They pretended the bread was God when it suited them and then treated the bread as waste when it was cleaning time.

As a Catholic we know the Eucharist IS God and is treated as such. You will never see a Catholic step on God or toss Him into a dumpster.

I knew many Lutherans who believe in comunion just as the Catholics teach but fail to understand or accept what the Lutherans teach. They want to recieve Gods gift unto us like a Catholic but fail to ‘see’ their comunion for what it is not.

 

[tundramom]

I have a hard time sitting still. It’s not my body that is active, but it is my mind. I wander all over the place.

Not only have I learned to ‘be still’ in Adoration, but it has helped me in all aspects of my life to focus.

Sometimes, if there’s no one else there, I will sing to Jesus quietly.

At first I would read my Bible a lot and then I got the distinct impression that Jesus was telling me that HE was/is the Word. I was reading His Word instead of just being in His Word. Hope that makes sense.

Don’t worry about “doing it right”. Just be there. That’s all He asks of us.

in Christ
Steph

 

[Light_Seeker]

Do any of your ex-protestants feel a difference between communion now and before becoming Catholic?

The short answer: ABSOLUTELY!

And the long answer:
I never believed in the concept of annulments. Nor understood what the Eucharist truly means to a Catholic. For 20 years, my Catholic wife sat besides me in the pew at Communion time, unable to partake, because the Church viewed our legal marriage as legal, but we were ‘living in sin’ since I never had an annulment.

During these 20 years, particularly at very holy or emotional times such as Easter, Good Friday, Christmas, or the death of a family member, I tried to convince my wife to go receive. “Go take your cracker and wine” I told her. As always, she gave me ‘the look’ - meaning I better stop right now or else. Yes, cracker and wine. Shows you my total lack of knowledge. I believed it was all symbolism.

Due to a number of different factors, I started self-education on Catholicism, unbeknown to my wife. More I read & learned, the more I could not refute any longer. I then attended and went thru RCIA , & started my annulment process.

My annulment was granted before RCIA was done, and we immediately had our marriage convaladated. The most beautiful, emotional, and highest point of my life then occurred. After 20+ years absence, I had the joy, kneeling besides her after exchanging our vows, of watching my bride take communion.

Several months later I was accepted into the Church and had the same gift.

Now, 2 years later, you’ll recognize me at Mass every Sunday.

I’m the guy wiping tears from my eyes.

 

[dolphinlove]

Also along with the wonderful responses your getting, when your in the church and your hour is up, and there is noone else in there, its very important the Eucharist is not left unattended. If you desperately need to go, contact the person who runs the adoration or the priest, but never leave it by itself, after all its Jesus there with you, its important we never leave him alone!

 

[ralphinal]

At the adult section of our vacation Bible school tonight, the topic of creating prayer time came up. It was recommneded that we start small, say a few minutes, every day. Do not worry about what to pray or do, just a few minutes for God at the same time every day.

take that same advice for adoration. Just a few minutes of silence with God.

 

[Pax]

At our parish we have adoration with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament monthly. I wish it were more often. Our church is always open until 9pm during the week. This enables the parishioners to enter the church and pray inside the tabernacle alcove at almost anytime.

There is a synergistic effect between spontaneous visits to the church and scheduled hours on the day that we have Exposition. Those that participate in one invariably begin to participate in the other if their schedules allow. This is the power of grace at work within us.

I have been blessed in many ways by participating in adoration. The time spent before the Blessed Sacrament is a growing in our relationship with Jesus. It is not unlike the time a person wants to spend with a family member, a friend, a fiancee, or a spouse. The difference is that adoration before the Blessed Sacrament is time spent developing and nurturing the most important relationship we will ever have.

All human relationships are a shadow of the relationship we will have in eternity with God. Time spent in adoration is time spent in getting to know the “One” we love. We must pray and worship during this time and we must learn to listen. Distractions will come, but they can be starting points for prayer.

I like to read scripture and meditate on the word of God. I will also bring a hymnal along with me and read/sing the hymns silently in the worship of God. I like to do this because my own prayers lack the beauty of the hymns. Likewise, the hymns teach me things about the intimacy that we are to have with the Lord and His love for us.

The power of all of this cannot be over estimated. I invited a reluctant acquaintance to join in adoration with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. This person later thanked me profusely for doing this and after five years has been one our most faithful participants.

God is good…participate in adoration and get to know the “One” you love.

 

[Adam14]

Thanks for all of the insight everyone! This is obviously a different experience than me praying at home, or anywhere else for that matter. I look forward to this opportunity, and I’m getting very eager to start RCIA. I can honestly, honestly say that I’m really looking forward to it…I just need some patience It’s amazing how I used to look for things that I disagree with(regarding the Catholic church), and now although I don’t totally understand these things, and still don’t totally agree with all of them(maybe due to a lack of understanding?), I have an unexplainable feeling to stop resisting and go with it. Not to get ahead of myself, but 6 months ago, if someone would have asked me if I’d ever consider Catholicism, I’d probably would have laughed.

Thanks again!

 

[judcath4]

Thanks for all of the insight everyone! This is obviously a different experience than me praying at home, or anywhere else for that matter. I look forward to this opportunity, and I’m getting very eager to start RCIA. I can honestly, honestly say that I’m really looking forward to it…I just need some patience It’s amazing how I used to look for things that I disagree with(regarding the Catholic church), and now although I don’t totally understand these things, and still don’t totally agree with all of them(maybe due to a lack of understanding?), I have an unexplainable feeling to stop resisting and go with it. Not to get ahead of myself, but 6 months ago, if someone would have asked me if I’d ever consider Catholicism, I’d probably would have laughed.

Thanks again!

That’s what Scott Hahn said just before he to converted. His books are great especially one called “Rome Sweet Home”.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

Hi, Adam14, many have expressed great insights here, and I share many of them also during adoration.

I want to leave you with this one thought, that I have every time I go to adoration.

Remember Jesus in the garden when his passion began? What does he ask his disciples? “Can you not pray with me just one hour”? This is the calling Catholics answer to Jesus, when we go to adoration. We want to spend that one Hour of praying with Jesus alone no matter in what situation of life we may be experiencing, Jesus wants to share them with you, while he is present to you body, blood, soul and divinity before you on his throne.

This is where we always find rest in God, in his son Jesus when he is present in his blessed sacrament the “Eucharist”

P.s. I am the director of our R.C.I.A program at our Parish. If you have any questions or want to hear another perspective on a topic. I would be happy to help as well as many qualified Catholics on these boards. I am happy and rejoice with heaven that you are following your heart and hear the calling of our Father in heaven.

Peace be with you.