Exposition (what exactly happens?)

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melissab1

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Hi,

I am a new convert and I’m hoping to go to exposition on Saturday.
I’m just after a bit of info, what actually happens? Will there be prayers/hymns that I’m expected to say or know? Or is it just quiet?

Thank you in advance
Melissa
 
IF they have hymns they will be in the hymnal:
O Salutaris & Tantum Ergo
Just follow along, no one is taking notes. 😉
After the initial exposition of the Eucharist in the Monstrance there will be a period of **silent **prayer. Kneel, sit, read your Bible, pray silently, take spiritual reading with you…it’s up to you. Most people kneel…but your knees will tell you what you can manage. :o
The priest will return after a designated time (or a Deacon for Benediction and to repose the Eucharist) and the group will pray the Divine Praises. Can be found in a missalette if you have them, or simply repeat after the Priest. Closing Hymn.
If you can stay fro a whole hour, that’s laudable. Many people stay longer, or as long as Exposition lasts.
God bless you.
You’ll LOVE it.
 
Welcome Melissab1!

The main activity during exposition (also known as adoration) is time spent quietly in the presence of the Lord. You might pray silently, say the Rosary or other devotional prayers silently, or just sit and feel His presence.

Depending on when you go and how long you stay there may be some other things going on. When the Eucharist is first brought out from the sanctuary some prayers are recited and a hymn sung. These are usually printed in the missal or other prayer guide that you will find in the pew. If you can’t find them don’t worry, you can just listen and pray silently in your own words.

During the time of exposition some parishes offer a liturgy called the ‘Liturgy of the Hours’ also called the ‘Divine Office’. This consists of a hymn, the reciting of some psalms, and a short reading. If this occurs there will certainly be books or pamphlets to guide you. This liturgy does not happen every time, it varies from place to place.

Some parishes pray the Rosary together during adoration or perhaps some other prayers. Again, you can join in or listen quietly.

There will certainly be some time, perhaps several hours, of silence. You do not have to stay the whole time, few do. Just come and go quietly and respectfully.

At the end of the period of exposition there are also some prayers and a hymn, similar to what occurred at the beginning. If a priest or deacon is presiding then you will get a blessing. As the Eucharist is brought back to the sanctuary a hymn is sung.

Don’t worry, you are not expected to know any special hymns or prayers. If they are not printed out for you then participate with your internal prayers or just listen in prayerful silence.

Blessings on you for your conversion and for your intention to go and spend some time with our Lord. I am sure that you will find it a worthwhile experience.
 
In our parish, the Exposition liturgy is on the very last page of the Missal. There are prayers and hymns but we follow the Missal exactly so it’s very easy to follow. If you’re unsure, simply kneeling and praying respectfully would probably be fine, it’s what I did the first time when I didn’t know where the Exposition information was in the Missal.
 
Thank you all for your responses, I am really looking forward to tomorrow 🙂

melissa
 
BTW, when people say you may stay for the whole thing, keep in mind that some places (like my parish) have 24 hour exposition, and some have perpetual adoration, some have 6 or 12 hours–it varies. You will want to check on that before you decide how long you will stay. In those parishes with long expositions, you can go at any time, and usually people stay for about an hour. These parishes also usually have sign-up sheets for people who want to commit to an hour regularly, so Jesus is not left alone with no one adoring.
 
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