Questions on Perpetual Adoration

[Pancakes]

Hi all - first post here .

I’d like to ask - what is Perpetual Adoration, and how does it work?

As far as I can gather, it’s done to show respect and adoration to Jesus Christ who is present in the form of the bread and wine that is being exposed. However, if it’s done continually, does the priest have to bless the bread and wine, or otherwise consecrate it, before it is placed inside the container?

Secondly, what happens during the hours of a normal Mass (I don’t know when the most frequently attended Mass is, but I’ll assume it’s around 8am on a Sunday) - if you are scheduled to be one of the people participating in the Adoration, how do you fulfill your Mass obligation?

Also, a related question. I assume that the Eucharist is placed in a container (I can’t link an image but a google search will show what I’m talking about). Does anyone know why it’s in the form of a circle with “spikes” protruding from it?

Thank you - I hope my questions and/or wording hasn’t offended anyone.

 

[marytk]

Hi all - first post here .

I’d like to ask - what is Perpetual Adoration, and how does it work?

As far as I can gather, it’s done to show respect and adoration to Jesus Christ who is present in the form of the bread and wine that is being exposed. However, if it’s done continually, does the priest have to bless the bread and wine, or otherwise consecrate it, before it is placed inside the container?

Secondly, what happens during the hours of a normal Mass (I don’t know when the most frequently attended Mass is, but I’ll assume it’s around 8am on a Sunday) - if you are scheduled to be one of the people participating in the Adoration, how do you fulfill your Mass obligation?

Also, a related question. I assume that the Eucharist is placed in a container (I can’t link an image but a google search will show what I’m talking about). Does anyone know why it’s in the form of a circle with “spikes” protruding from it?

Thank you - I hope my questions and/or wording hasn’t offended anyone.

Perpetual Adoration is when the Precious Body is always “exposed” so we can see and adore it. We have a Chapel that is open 24/7 with committed people signed up to cover every hour. The chape is open everyday but between Holy Thursday and Easter. (Has closed to power outages and bad weather we are not a territorial parish so only a few live with in walking distance)
We have a Chapel that adjoins the Church. The Sacred Body (the host) is in a Monstrance. You can see the host. The Large host is consecrated at a Mass then reverently brought to the Chapel and placed in the Monstrance. The older host is consumed. We do this once a month
THe Chapel is open during all the Masses. People who have a scheduled time during a Mass go to another one. I have a couple of evening times so I have been in the Chapel during Christmas Eve Masses. Then I go to the Mass that doesn’t conflict with my time.
I have guesses about why the Monstrance is shaped the way it is but I will let someone who really knows answer that
Hope this is a start. It is a wonderful peaceful thing to do to be quiet before the Lord either by myself or with just a few

 

[Pancakes]

Perpetual Adoration is when the Precious Body is always “exposed” so we can see and adore it. We have a Chapel that is open 24/7 with committed people signed up to cover every hour. The chape is open everyday but between Holy Thursday and Easter. (Has closed to power outages and bad weather we are not a territorial parish so only a few live with in walking distance)
We have a Chapel that adjoins the Church. The Sacred Body (the host) is in a Monstrance. You can see the host. The Large host is consecrated at a Mass then reverently brought to the Chapel and placed in the Monstrance. The older host is consumed. We do this once a month
THe Chapel is open during all the Masses. People who have a scheduled time during a Mass go to another one. I have a couple of evening times so I have been in the Chapel during Christmas Eve Masses. Then I go to the Mass that doesn’t conflict with my time.
I have guesses about why the Monstrance is shaped the way it is but I will let someone who really knows answer that
Hope this is a start. It is a wonderful peaceful thing to do to be quiet before the Lord either by myself or with just a few

Thank you so much for your fast answer - that explains a lot of it! You mentioned that the “older host is consumed” - would this be done at a Mass, or distributed somehow at a different occasion?

Also, is doing (performing?) Perpetual Adoration a different experience to sitting in the main chapel and praying quietly to oneself?

 

[TimothyH]

Monstrance…



-Tim-

 

[TimothyH]

Adoration Chapel…



-Tim-

 

[po18guy]

Also, is doing (performing?) Perpetual Adoration a different experience to sitting in the main chapel and praying quietly to oneself?

If the Blessed Sacrament is present in the Tabernacle, then you are also in Christ’s true presence. This is signified by a lit candle to one side of the Tabernacle. When He is exposed in the monstrance, we have the opportunity to gaze upon Him as we ponder the mystery of His presence. If the blessed Sacrament is not exposed for adoration, I oftentimes will simply sit near the Tabernacle and pray. We receive he same spiritual benefit either way, but to look upon the consecrated Host assists in our contemplation.

As to the name monstrance into which the Host is placed, the word comes from the root of “to demonstrate.”

 

[Lawrence_Love]

In reply to “Pancakes,” I have supplied below a link to the article in the Encyclopedia of New Advent explaining the development of monstrances (and ostensoria, another vessel for displaying Our Lord for adoration). The word monstrance comes from the Latin verb “monstrare,” meaning to show. The circular shape with the rays emanating from it comes from the 15th century, and actually it is meant to be a circular center with clear glass to allow our gaze to be focused on, to be drawn into the center by the rays of the monstrance where Jesus is actually present for our viewing and adoration.

One can think of so many meanings stemming from the circle - an unending line with no beginning or end, the perfect shape, the “sun” with its rays shining forth (from the Son of God in His glory). I have copied a few lines from the article here: “Soon, however, it became clear that the ostensorium could be better adapted to the object of drawing all eyes to the Sacred Host itself by making the transparent portion of the vessel just of the size required, and surrounded, like the sun, with rays. Monstrances of this shape, dating from the fifteenth century, are also not uncommon, and for several hundred years past this has been by far the commonest form in practical use.”

When I sit before the Lord in adoration, I begin by praying this prayer that I believe comes from St. Jose Maria Escriva:

“My Lord and my God, I firmly believe that You are here; that You see me, that You hear me. I adore You with profound reverence; I beg Your pardon for my sins, and the grace to make this time of prayer fruitful. My Immaculate Mother, St. Joseph my father and lord, my guardian angel, intercede for me.”

When I am ready to leave my time of prayer before the Lord, I pray this prayer, also from St. Jose:

“I thank You, my God, for the good resolutions, affections and inspirations that You have communicated to me in this meditation. I beg Your help in putting them into effect. My Immaculate Mother, St. Joseph my father and lord, my guardian angel, intercede for me.”

Here is the link in New Advent Encyclopedia. I hope your time spent before the Lord will be fruitful for you and lead you to a closer relationship with Him.

newadvent.org/cathen/11344a.htm

 

[R_C]

As far as I can gather, it’s done to show respect and adoration to Jesus Christ who is present in the form of the bread and wine that is being exposed.

Actually, to Christ truly present in the Eucharist we offer God’s own cult of latria, which is the highest form of adoration a creature can offer to his creator It is not as if we were, say, praying before a crucifix.

Regarding Mass, if by any chance the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament was taking place not in a chapel, but on the altar where the Mass is to be celebrated (or at least in the same room), then the Blessed Sacrament - as far as I know - will be covered.