First Eucharist Adoration experience

[danonwaveland]

I have always felt that you could discern whether or not you were in a Catholic church. I always thought that the Real Presence was very mildly palpable.

Based on this, I told some Catholic friends that I think one could walk into churches blindfolded and tell whether or not it was Catholic. They gave me wierd looks, but I think it is true. Now, I think if one did it on a bet, one would be tempting God and there would be confusion. But innocently walking in, I think one could tell.

A few years ago, my wife and I went to a funeral at a Lutheran church and the interior felt very cold and empty. However, as we moved on in the reception line and came close to the minister, who was helping the family of the deceased, I could strongly sense the presence of the Holy Spirit. I did not speak with the minister or hear him preach, but I suspect he was a man of God.

All this being said, I’ll repeat what most everyone knows: the absence of feelings does not indicate a lack of favor with our Lord and it does not mean our prayers are not sincere or are not heard. We’re all different people and, so, the Lord treats each of His children differently and He does so in different ways at different points on our journey. But you know that. . .

God bless,
Dan

 

[BayernAnhaenger]

I am in the process of converting to the Catholic faith from non-denominational Christianity. I have been having many ups and downs on this walk, sometimes I feel so sure that the Catholic church has the truth, and other times I am so discouraged by some things I perceive as being untruths. When I am full of faith I feel I am being led by God to the church, and when I am uncertain I feel like I am being deceived by Satan into believing the church is the true faith.

One thing I have had issue with is the adoration of the Eucharist. While the true presence of Christ is what I would say initially led me to the Catholic church, I was surprised to find that people actually worship the presence outside of Mass. This seemed to me extremely strange and like idolatry. I couldn’t resolve the dilemma that even if the presence is truly there, had Christ intended for it to be worshiped? This was a huge block for me, I felt sick and so discouraged, if the truth isn’t with the Catholics, than where is it? I don’t see the fullnesses of it anywhere else out of the numerous denominations of church’s I’ve been to. If the Catholic faith is not the truth then I am lost, the Bible does not make complete sense without it.

Yesterday after my RCIA class I went to visit the Eucharist. I had gone the week before for the Benediction but I just stood by the door and watched, I felt a peace there and an awe that there was a woman prostrate on the ground singing to the Lord, but I was still skeptical.

This time I had time to sit in the Adoration Chapel for at least 10 minutes. I went into the chapel and feeling nervous and uncertain I did not genuflect (I am still new to the Catholic way of things and get very hung up on genuflecting, which knee do I take when and where do I do it? At the door, at my seat? If the presence is not here I don’t want to bow to bread) I prayed, Lord, I don’t want to offend you! If your presence is here I will worship you here.

I took a seat in the front and looked at the Eucharist, closed my eyes and put my head in hands to pray. I still felt very nervous, maybe because I didn’t want the other people in the room to look at me.

Eventually the nervousness subsided and I felt the Presence.

I have never felt such an other worldly presence in my whole life. I took a moment to reflect on it and discern what it was. The only description I could come up with at that moment was “The force that has created all things.” This feeling was SO strong, and if this is God I have never felt His presence in such a way despite all the times I thought I had felt Him with me.

I was paralyzed and didn’t know what to do, I tried to pray about things in my life that I know are not pleasing to His Will, but mostly I just sat there with my hands clasped in a state of complete AWE. I felt completely enveloped in this Presence.
Reflecting on it on my drive home the word Hug came to mind and I could see myself sitting in that room with Jesus’ arms around me, though this Presence was so powerful I couldn’t imagine it hugging me at the time.

I am still in a state of shock I think, after this experience. I find myself looking for Mary for the first time in my walk, for the first time I can see why someone might be so humbled by God that they feel unworthy to go straight to Him and instead they cling to the full humanity of Mary.

At this point I think I can say that my issues are resolved, there is no way I can turn from this Presence, and there is no way I can believe its all a lie. My hunger to take part in the Body and Blood of our Lord is of course stronger than ever. And I feel a strong urge to tell everyone and evangelize now, but I wonder if this Presence is as real to anyone else as it was to me last night. And I wonder if it will always be there for me.

Genuflection:
Use the right knee when genuflecting to the Blessed Sacrament.

Edit:
Also, normally, when in doubt, I genuflect.

 

[Snerticus]

Genuflection:
Use the right knee when genuflecting to the Blessed Sacrament.

Edit:
Also, normally, when in doubt, I genuflect.

Oh wow, I was told to go down on both knees, and for a longer period of time, when in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Thaaaat must be what I’m doing wrong!

Okay, maybe not…

 

[danonwaveland]

Oh wow, I was told to go down on both knees, and for a longer period of time, when in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

You are correct, sir!

God bless,
Dan

 

[Monica4316]

I have always felt that you could discern whether or not you were in a Catholic church. I always thought that the Real Presence was very mildly palpable.

Based on this, I told some Catholic friends that I think one could walk into churches blindfolded and tell whether or not it was Catholic. They gave me wierd looks, but I think it is true. Now, I think if one did it on a bet, one would be tempting God and there would be confusion. But innocently walking in, I think one could tell.

A few years ago, my wife and I went to a funeral at a Lutheran church and the interior felt very cold and empty. However, as we moved on in the reception line and came close to the minister, who was helping the family of the deceased, I could strongly sense the presence of the Holy Spirit. I did not speak with the minister or hear him preach, but I suspect he was a man of God.

All this being said, I’ll repeat what most everyone knows: the absence of feelings does not indicate a lack of favor with our Lord and it does not mean our prayers are not sincere or are not heard. We’re all different people and, so, the Lord treats each of His children differently and He does so in different ways at different points on our journey. But you know that. . .

God bless,
Dan

I agree!! I’ve noticed the same thing Dan. I know that strong believers are present in non Catholic churches too. But when I just walk into a church, when there’s no one there, there* is *a noticeable difference…

God bless

 

[BayernAnhaenger]

Oh wow, I was told to go down on both knees, and for a longer period of time, when in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Thaaaat must be what I’m doing wrong!

Okay, maybe not…

Ooooooooooooooooops.

TRUE!!!

Ignore me. I’m stupid sometimes. It IS both knees.

Mea culpa!

 

[Snerticus]

Ooooooooooooooooops.

TRUE!!!

Ignore me. I’m stupid sometimes. It IS both knees.

Mea culpa!

That’s okay, actually the responses to my post gave me the answer I was looking for. I was confused, but now I’m not

Thanks.

 

[MDK]

Thank you for your beautiful story!

I find that, no matter how beautiful it is, a non-Catholic church feels sad, lonely and empty. And a Catholic church with Jesus in the tabernacle is always warm and welcoming, whether it’s beautiful or not.

And I call the Adoration Chapel the “Alternate Universe.”

Betsy

This is true. Being in a non-Catholic Church cannot compare. It is nowhere near the same.

 

[danonwaveland]

This is true. Being in a non-Catholic Church cannot compare. It is nowhere near the same.

The last “The Choices We Face” program on EWTN showed footage of a teen missionary trip to Mexico. The people who were visited live in a garbage dump in a city whose name I can’t remember right now. In any case, one segment showed a priest praying mass on the garbage dump – in an area that had been cleared, of course – and I thought that, yes, this is the same Jesus present in my church and at St. Peter’s in Rome. I am sure that these poor people knew that Jesus was truly there and that He cared for them, even in their desparate physical poverty.

God bless,
Dan

P.S.: That reminds me of a priest who told about celebrating mass on a hot, muggy day in a non-air conditioned church. The windows were open the flies were buzzing around. One of the flies buzzed around the consecrated Host and the priest silently asked Jesus why He would allow this insect to approach His Precious Body and Blood. Jesus told him that there were plenty of flies on Calvary, too.

 

[J_D]

In 2003 I booked a hotel in Vienna. I arrived on August 15. My hotel was booked, so they transferred me to another hotel on a street called “Marian Hilfe” strasse. It was only later that I realized the cosmic coincidence of this (the place and the date). The week that followed was one of the most spiritually transforming weeks of my life.

Well this morning, after many months of inner turmoil and anxiety, I decided to go to Eucharistic Adoration. When arrived there was a pamphlet of the Divine Mercy. As I was praying, I looked down at the address of the printer of the pamphlet, it was the “Marian Helpers” or “Marian Helfers” upon seeing that I knew it was not all coincidence and I started to cry right there in church, filled with hope (of course I hid my tears not to be embarrassed). Later on today, as I stood on the street, the realization dawned on me that I had indeed spent time with the Almighty Creator of the Universe. I was paralyzed and transfixed at the thought.

This can not all be coincidence. I am glad you have also had similar experiences

 

[paperwight]

You are correct, sir!

God bless,
Dan

Umm, actually I think you’ll find that the two-knees requirement was removed in the 70’s. Now, before anyone jumps on me, I’m not saying a person shouldn’t go down on two knees, I’m just saying it’s no longer a requirement.
If you think about it, it makes perfect sense. It’s the very same Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle as when exposed. We only genuflect on one knee in front of the Tabernacle. If we kneel on two knees in front of the Monstrance, we are implying that the Host exposed is more important or holy than the Host hidden. Which isn’t the case.

 

[danonwaveland]

What a beautiful observation, J.D.! Thank you for sharing it!

And welcome to CAF!

God bless,
Dan

 

[MDK]

The last “The Choices We Face” program on EWTN showed footage of a teen missionary trip to Mexico. The people who were visited live in a garbage dump in a city whose name I can’t remember right now. In any case, one segment showed a priest praying mass on the garbage dump – in an area that had been cleared, of course – and I thought that, yes, this is the same Jesus present in my church and at St. Peter’s in Rome. I am sure that these poor people knew that Jesus was truly there and that He cared for them, even in their desparate physical poverty.

God bless,
Dan

P.S.: That reminds me of a priest who told about celebrating mass on a hot, muggy day in a non-air conditioned church. The windows were open the flies were buzzing around. One of the flies buzzed around the consecrated Host and the priest silently asked Jesus why He would allow this insect to approach His Precious Body and Blood. Jesus told him that there were plenty of flies on Calvary, too.

Yes, that is the idea. That is where the Catholic Church is. The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life. If you don’t eat His Body and drink His Blood, you have no life in you. Non-Catholic churches without a valid Eucharist can’t compare. How do they have life in them?

Christ established His Church upon the Rock. Ubi Petrus, Ibi Ecclesia. There is a very good reason that this saying is valid.

 

[danonwaveland]

Umm, actually I think you’ll find that the two-knees requirement was removed in the 70’s. Now, before anyone jumps on me, I’m not saying a person shouldn’t go down on two knees, I’m just saying it’s no longer a requirement.
If you think about it, it makes perfect sense. It’s the very same Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle as when exposed. We only genuflect on one knee in front of the Tabernacle. If we kneel on two knees in front of the Monstrance, we are implying that the Host exposed is more important or holy than the Host hidden. Which isn’t the case.

I hadn’t heard about the one-knees thing, but I would still stick with the two-knees method. But that’s just me. I know that the Eucharist is just as important when in the tabernacle as when exposed in a monstrance – same Lord. As a matter of fact, a lack of exposition should not dissuade people from visiting our Lord in the tabernacle. That’s why we used to make the sign of the cross when passing a church in our youth, recognizing the Real Presence behind the closed church doors.

That being said, when the president enters the room, people stand out of respect. They respect him when he’s/she’s in the next room, but his/her physical presence merits a special expression of that respect – if not for the person, then the office. I think it’s pretty much the same thing with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

In either case, it’s what’s in our heart that counts. I could be more worshipful and pleasing to our Lord on one knee than at another time when I kneeled on both knees. I guess it’s just an expression of that worship and whatever “works” for each of us – within church guidelines, of course.

God bless,
Dan

 

[BiblicalDavid]

It always makes my heart glow to hear the stories of people of other denominations coming back to the true faith. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Even as a life member, I have gone through my ups and downs and have asked myself some of the same questions. My mother use to bring me in to our old country tabernacle on the prairies of Minnesota. Most of the time it was to keep an eye on me while she practiced the organ for the mass but other times it was for a short 5 minute “visit”. She was always trying to get perpetual adoration at our parish but for a small town it is nearly impossible to come up with the numbers needed to fill in the time. Yet the memory of these short five minute sessions instilled in me a greater sense of the true presense and what it ment to her and eventually to me.

For me these “visits” have become a literal lamp or beacon which guide me as a common sheep, be it sometimes a black sheep, a gray sheep, or even a white sheep. The world seems so dark with sin that when I find time to spend in an adoration chapel it seems like I am sitting in a beautiful oasis. It is a wonderful part of the faith and Jesus really is there for your soul and for your friendship.

Be it that I am unemployed right now, I have more time to jabber on this blog engine. Because I know the power of this great gift of the church, I hope that you will pray for me as I pray for you when you visit the adoration chapels near you.

I notice a lot of discussion about a one knee or two knee genuflexion…

Although it is important to show reverence I encourage you to come up with your own prayer while executing your physical reverence…

Mine is:
“You are my cross and ressurrection and have set me free. You are the savior of the world”

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

His presence remains in the unleavened bread or host until it is gone or completely broken down. It’s not idolatry at all. Very many people can feel his presence in the church. I make many visits and always sense a presence. The church is not empty when he’s there. I can feel it. I once had an experience that he was not in the tabernacle when I made a visit but the priest came and placed him there. As soon as he was in the tabernacle I felt a presence fill the church quickly. It was very noticable. Heaps of people have experiences like this and others. But you are seeing that for yourself. Visit him often. He doesn’t have many good friends, you be a good friend. God bless you and make yourself at home in the church. It’s family, sit back and relax

 

[Katrina5]

Thank you for your beautiful story!

I find that, no matter how beautiful it is, a non-Catholic church feels sad, lonely and empty. And a Catholic church with Jesus in the tabernacle is always warm and welcoming, whether it’s beautiful or not.

And I call the Adoration Chapel the “Alternate Universe.”

Betsy

I have two stories about the Real Presence.
My mother was raised in a Brethren church and converted at age 27. My aunt had married a Catholic, and “had to” convert. (This was 1930’s/40’s) My Mom told me years later that she went to Mass with my aunt and it was quiet in the church because they got there early.
She said she walked in “and felt like Jesus was really there” unlike any of her other church experiences.
They both were faithful Catholics the rest of their lives, and my Dad converted two years before he died, an answer to our prayers, since he had not been raised in or practiced any faith.
We have Adoration every first Friday. It almost always comes at a time when I am struggling with some issue, either relationships with people, with God, or within myself. I sometimes start to skip Adoration, but, without fail He draws me in, I go and always so comforted, so EMBRACED by Jesus, that I am thankful.
As for “ups and downs”, I have always been Catholic, not always practiced, especially after Vatican II when things were so confusing, and I still have ups and downs.
That’s why I call everyone’s life a Faith Journey. (If you have read my posts before, you may be tired of this).
If it weren’t for the lows, the highpoints wouldn’t mean anything. If the path was an easy one, where would it end?
It is ALWAYS worth the trip!
He loves us and wants us to be embraced by His ever present and everlasting LOVE.
You felt Love.
Thank God! We all need love.

 

[BiblicalDavid]

[SIGN] I once had an experience that he was not in the tabernacle when I made a visit but the priest came and placed him there. As soon as he was in the tabernacle I felt a presence fill the church quickly. It was very noticable. Heaps of people have experiences like this and others[/SIGN]

I have experienced this as well. In particular, I have been to parishes that have, for one reason or another, decided to take the blessed sacrament from their main alter and put it in a side alter even on sunday for the Mass.

I can always tell it has been removed because I do not “sense” that it is there any longer.

To be honest, I am not for this decision to move the Blessed Sacrament out of the main tabernacle. A. It is a signature of our Catholic Church. B. A fundamental article of our faith should not be moved to some back room or hiding place… Well, the list goes to XYZ but I don’t want to fill up the blog.

Can anyone explain why this is being done? Usually it occurrs after some kook breaks into the church… Although understandible in this case I am still not for taking it away from the main place of worship.

 

[Katrina5]

It always makes my heart glow to hear the stories of people of other denominations coming back to the true faith. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Even as a life member, I have gone through my ups and downs and have asked myself some of the same questions. My mother use to bring me in to our old country tabernacle on the prairies of Minnesota. Most of the time it was to keep an eye on me while she practiced the organ for the mass but other times it was for a short 5 minute “visit”. She was always trying to get perpetual adoration at our parish but for a small town it is nearly impossible to come up with the numbers needed to fill in the time. Yet the memory of these short five minute sessions instilled in me a greater sense of the true presense and what it ment to her and eventually to me.

For me these “visits” have become a literal lamp or beacon which guide me as a common sheep, be it sometimes a black sheep, a gray sheep, or even a white sheep. The world seems so dark with sin that when I find time to spend in an adoration chapel it seems like I am sitting in a beautiful oasis. It is a wonderful part of the faith and Jesus really is there for your soul and for your friendship.

Be it that I am unemployed right now, I have more time to jabber on this blog engine. Because I know the power of this great gift of the church, I hope that you will pray for me as I pray for you when you visit the adoration chapels near you.

I notice a lot of discussion about a one knee or two knee genuflexion…

Although it is important to show reverence I encourage you to come up with your own prayer while executing your physical reverence…

Mine is:
“You are my cross and ressurrection and have set me free. You are the savior of the world”

This is another example of the Universality of the Church. It is the same everywhere. I love it. I am so thankful for our beautiful faith.
I sang along with you at the end, there.

 

[Katrina5]

[SIGN] I once had an experience that he was not in the tabernacle when I made a visit but the priest came and placed him there. As soon as he was in the tabernacle I felt a presence fill the church quickly. It was very noticable. Heaps of people have experiences like this and others[/SIGN]

I have experienced this as well. In particular, I have been to parishes that have, for one reason or another, decided to take the blessed sacrament from their main alter and put it in a side alter even on sunday for the Mass.

I can always tell it has been removed because I do not “sense” that it is there any longer

To be honest, I am not for this decision to move the Blessed Sacrament out of the main tabernacle. A. It is a signature of our Catholic Church. B. A fundamental article of our faith should not be moved to some back room or hiding place… Well, the list goes to XYZ but I don’t want to fill up the blog.

Can anyone explain why this is being done? Usually it occurrs after some kook breaks into the church… Although understandible in this case I am still not for taking it away from the main place of worship.

Our church has a side chapel, and I don’t like it. Even though we have a large Narthex for socializing, people still have to be reminded not to talk loudly in church before mass.
I heard that some churches are moving the Tabernacle back into the main church where it belongs, and newer churches are being built without a “side” chapel.
We are finally getting back to the essentials from before Vatican II, in some respects.
One of my friends says that Vatican II tried to be ecumenical, and instead made our churches more protestant. Threw out the baby with the bathwater, so to speak.