"Never leave the Lord alone" question

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rosarygirl11

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So, last night I went to Eucharistic Adoration. When I went in there were maybe 3 women. Any how, I got there at 8:30pm or so and 2 of the people left while I was there. There was just me and another lady (this was the person who was ‘on duty’). At 9:00 this other lady got up and left, leaving just myself in the chapel. I thought this was odd since I know the policy is to ‘never leave the Lord alone.’
Also, there are even bulletins posted on what to do in case of the next person on duty doesn’t show up, etc so I know they take it pretty seriously. At first I felt sort of upset that she hadn’t waited for her replacement but also confused as to why a replacement didn’t show up. Then I thought that perhaps she thought I was the replacement (we don’t speak in there, so its not like this would have been communicated). BUT I did sign in the book and checked off ‘I am visiting the Lord’ as opposed to ‘I am a scheduled adorer.’ So, after feeling very confused for a few minutes I suddenly realized that I was all alone and felt a bit uneasy (it was night time and one of the reasons I feel safe there at night is because there is ALWAYS a scheduled adorer). I decided to leave - even though this meant I was now, in fact, leaving the Lord alone. I should say, the chapel has a door lock that is activated by a password combo, so its not like anyone could just saunter in and do their ill will - but I still feel like I made a mistake. I just don’t get why the lady left without a replacement. I visit there very infrequently so it’s not like she knows I am ‘safe’ and I don’t even belong to that particular parish. Did I make the error of ‘leaving the Lord alone’?? I know its important to guard the Eucharist because of people who have bad intentions, so I understand the irresponsibility of my actions in leaving. It was just one of those confused situations.
Anyone who is an adorer have any insight?
 
I’ve always feared being in that situation! There are many layers, to be sure - including safety, other responsibilities (children, work, etc) that one may need to tend to, the length of time one might be expected to wait, … My own parish changed the Adoration schedule, shortening it to be sure someone would be present at all times. Logistically, you may want to check with the Adoration coordinator or the pastor to ensure someone is regularly scheduled for the time slot mentioned, and that they are not ill or have moved or anything. And you may want to see if there is a contact number you could use if something similar occurs in the future.
 
Tell someone (ideally the pastor who can then inform the adoration coordinator(s)) about what happened and be sure to include the details as to the date and time you were there.

Both the woman who left and the replacement who did not show need to be reprimanded. There also needs to be a contact phone number by the log, like gloria97000 said, and also, a contact phone available for use! This is not just a matter of common sense, but of safety.

You did not do anything gravely sinful by leaving the Blessed Sacrament alone. It is likely that someone showed up soon after you left (perhaps the scheduled adorer was simply late) and so the time lapsed would not have been long.

Since you definitely seem to be aware of the respect the Blessed Sacrament deserves, you have no need to worry.

God bless you and your devotion to the Eucharist.
 
our adoration chapel has an emergency cell phone in it and phone numbers of contact people to call in case you can’t stay and the next person hasn’t shown up. I would have stayed until someone showed up unless I had a pressing reason to leave.
 
Never fear, you can be with the Lord in spirit at all times of the day; it is possible to pray in all circumstances 🙂
 
You mentioned that the doors were locked and had a combination lock, you were much safer in the chapel than walking out to your car alone in the parking lot.

This has happened to me several times, I even had to sit an additonal hour one time because nobody showed up. You should not leave unless for an emergency but I can understand the confusion about what to do causing a difficult choice for you.
 
The lady before you probably assumed you were taking the next hour as people often trade hours or get a substitute if they can’t make it for some reason. She still should have checked the log or asked you if you were going to be staying for the next hour and if not, if you knew what to do when you left if nobody else was there.

Whenever this has happened to me (and it has happened at random times, not always my scheduled hour but when I just stop in for a few minutes), I usually end up staying unless I have to pick up kids or something – I figure God called me there for a reason, and maybe it was so He wouldn’t be left alone. I don’t want to make you feel bad, because I know there are times you just can’t stay or just don’t know what to do, but this is just something to think about if it happens again.
 
I would have stayed also, and since you said that there were
bulletins posted on what to do in case of the next person on duty doesn’t show up, was there a number to call and a phone available?

She, the lady who left you there, probably thought that you were a replacement for the person who normally shows up at that time.

In any case, if there was a number to call, you could have called that number from home after you left and reported what happened if no phone were available there. Then they could have sent a replacement immediately.

In our Parish, there are normally 3 people scheduled for each hour.

I have been alone with the Lord before and always loved it, never felt safer, and while I understand your concerns, just for the future, never leave Him alone if at all possible. Whenever this has happened to me, (I have gone at times that I was scheduled for and at times that I wasn’t scheduled for), I just stayed and waited. Someone has always come along in a matter of minutes. Sometimes people just run late, forget or sometimes something comes up and they can’t make it, that is when they are suppose to call, so that someone can be sent immediately.

They do ask that we show up 15 minutes early so that you are there on time always. In all the years that I have been going, only once have I found our Lord alone, and I think it was because I was late getting there and the people before me probably had to leave for work or something.

We all make mistakes, but it would be good of you to report it so that the person in charge can make sure it doesn’t happen again.
🙂
 
I had the same thing happen to me last Friday evening. I just popped in on the way home from a late meeting (10:30 pm) for 15 minutes or so, and the person there abruptly left as I sat down. I was afraid no one would come and I would have to wait it out and this isn’t even my parish. (they keep the chapel open until Saturday am Mass) But I started my routine prayers and even did some out load as no one was there to bother and about the time I was ready to be done someone showed up. As I left another person was signing in as well so it was more than covered, but I was apprehensive as I hadn’t taken my phone in and no instructions are posted there either.

I think I’ll let them know about that avenue just for safety purposes.
 
you did nothing wrong, especially in considering your own safety. but you should contact the pastor or whoever coordinates the schedule to let them know that no “regular” was present during those times. Sounds like those present had already waited longer than their “regular” hour so you did do a service for them.

If the parish cannot insure at least two adorerers are present at all times they should close the chapel during those times when they can’t get volunteers. Especially at night the security issue is real. Most bishops have such policies. I know our last parish had to cut down hours for this reason. “Regulars” should know who to call to get replacements when they can’t come.
 
Hi Rosary Girl,

I agree that you did nothing wrong.

Unfortunately this situation is what prevents many occassional visitors from dropping in. Also a reason people are reluctant to commit. There really needs to be a better system in place for these perpetual chapels. I see many people visit the church, but not the adoration chapel, perhaps for that very reason.

“Leaving the Lord alone” is really more of a sentiment, since He is everywhere—how could He be alone? This is the responsibility of those who have made the committment, more than the occassional visitor.

Lux
 
Call the person in charge of the Chapel, and ask to have a copy of the “handbook”. There is a process of people to call if you must leave and the next adorer has not arrived, and there is a process for in some way showing reverence if you must leave and no one is there (a cover of some kind to be placed over the exposed Sacrament).

Once you know the proper processes, you will feel far more comfortable.

It is also OK to simply ask “excuse me, I see you are leaving, and I am not scheduled - only a visitor. Could you tell me what to do if I must leave?” Adorers are nice people 🙂
 
Lux_et_Tenebrae said:
Hi Rosary Girl,

I agree that you did nothing wrong.

Unfortunately this situation is what prevents many occassional visitors from dropping in. Also a reason people are reluctant to commit. There really needs to be a better system in place for these perpetual chapels. I see many people visit the church, but not the adoration chapel, perhaps for that very reason.

“Leaving the Lord alone” is really more of a sentiment, since He is everywhere—how could He be alone? This is the responsibility of those who have made the committment, more than the occassional visitor.

Lux
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I don’t think it’s just sentiment. When the Lord is exposed there is increased chance of desecration if there are no regular adorers. That’s why there is a schedule and usually 2 or more signed up for a hour.
 
I think that anyone in adoration should make every reasonable effort not to leave the Blessed Sacrament alone.

Let us not be too quick to judge that the woman who left early did something wrong. Possibly she was ill or had an emergency…

On the positive side I think that any of you who are occasional “visitor” adorers who have had similar experiences should think. Through showing you the shortcomings of a particular adoration time slot / program; maybe Our Lord is calling you to the blessings of regular adoration (for an hour or more). While I think all church visits are good; for me, it takes more than a few minutes occasionally to really draw closer to our Lord in Adoration…
 
There are a lot of good answers on this thread!

I can’t add any other!
 
At my parish, we have permission to return the Lord to the tabernacle if something like that happens, especially since we are in the sanctuary and the door does not have a lock.

Last night I was visited by two bats, and I could not leave, because they were between me and Jesus, kind of by the tabernacle. I couldn’t just walk out, but I couldn’t go up there by the tabernacle, either! I was thrilled when the next person showed up. We have a man scheduled for the last shift, so that a woman never has to turn out the lights and leave in the dark. So I felt braver when he got there 🙂

I have to laugh, because I was really trying to hide from Jesus yesterday, and I only went to Adoration because I was signed up. I spent some time reading the bulletin, working on spiritual formation stuff, anything but be quiet and hear what He had to say. I couldn’t have my nose in a book while I was scanning for bats, so I just had to sit and listen.
 
From JP2weloveyou --“On the positive side I think that any of you who are occasional “visitor” adorers who have had similar experiences should think. Through showing you the shortcomings of a particular adoration time slot / program; maybe Our Lord is calling you to the blessings of regular adoration (for an hour or more). While I think all church visits are good; for me, it takes more than a few minutes occasionally to really draw closer to our Lord in Adoration…”

Great point-- and God bless those who are regulars…It saddened me when our adoration time shortened, as my life and schedule made it impossible to commit to a time slot. I loved having the opportunity to visit!
 
gloria97000 said:
…It saddened me when our adoration time shortened, as my life and schedule made it impossible to commit to a time slot. I loved having the opportunity to visit!
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Have faith your scheduling situation is likely to change sooner or later. I too had trouble commiting to a regular weekly slot. I was fortunate to have a parish with real perpetual adoration nearby so I went there when I could. During lent for the past couple of years I began to become more and more drawn… I was finally blessed when a need for someone in the Wednesday night slot 10 to 11 arose. Works great for me (though I do get sleepy sometimes).

I hope you find an alternate parish so you can continue your adoration.
 
At the parish where I have an appointed hour for adoration, in the sign-in book, the name and telephone number for the person(s) assigned to each hour are listed.

There is also a printed list of people who are the “guardians” for each hour along with their numbers. To make contact with any of these people there is a telephone in the chapel - land line- and probably programed to not allow long distance calls.

Thus it is easy to contact somebody when there is a problem, either the assigned person(s) or the guardian of the hour or even those who are in charged of the adoration schedule.
 
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