Veneration vs. Adoration

[Blue_Horizon]

Haha, thanks. I took your ideas in another direction, inspired by your comment, “We [according to the view I’m explaining] in a sense adore God in and through them”. No good Eastern Orthodox would say that they almost “divinize” icons, but they use these paintings to reach God, in a sense–just as, like you said, we can use saints to become closer to him.

I’ve done a bit of searching and can’t find the source for the paraphrase of Archbishop Kallistos Ware that I made above. Unless another poster has some additional information, I will have to refrain from commenting further on what he said.

Thanks for that.

 

[AloysiusBologna]

Surely there is a Catholic parish near you. Make enquiry as to when they offer adoration of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament… All Christians, whether considering Catholicism or not, can benefit tremendously from spending time in Christ’s presence…Adoration of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament takes one so much deeper into their spiritual life that the difference between veneration and adoration is more readily apparent to a Catholic or Orthodox. Indeed, the concept of veneration is foreign to most denominations.

Where in the United States of America can a Eucharistic Procession NOT be held ?..

…Redemptionis Sacramentum …
On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist

“the tradition of holding eucharistic processions should not be allowed to be lost. Instead, new ways should be sought of holding them in today’s conditions: for example, at shrines, or in public gardens if the civil authority agrees.”

"Therefore both public and private devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist even outside Mass should be vigorously promoted, for by means of it the faithful give adoration to Christ, truly and really present, the "High Priest of the good things to come” and Redeemer of the whole world. “It is the responsibility of sacred Pastors, even by the witness of their life, to support the practice of Eucharistic worship and especially exposition of the Most Holy Sacrament, as well as prayer of adoration before Christ present under the eucharistic species.”

"Wherever it is possible in the judgement of the diocesan Bishop, a procession through the public streets should be held, especially on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ as a public witness of reverence for the Most Holy Sacrament”, for the “devout participation of the faithful in the eucharistic procession on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ is a grace from the Lord which yearly fills with joy those who take part in it”.

 

[AloysiusBologna]

Surely there is a Catholic parish near you. Make enquiry as to when they offer adoration of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. I most strongly urge you to consider going and spending time before our Lord (if you have not already). All Christians, whether considering Catholicism or not, can benefit tremendously from spending time in Christ’s presence.

With the following, I mean offence to no one, but please bear with me: Here is something that occurred to me that may be baseless, but it nevertheless occurred: In those communities that do not consider Christ as being truly present in the consecrated host, and which do not offer adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the members have never been in the physical presence of Christ. His presence has always been spiritual, or manifested (once removed?) through their brothers or sisters. They have never sensed Christ’s physical proximity, if you follow my thinking. Can it just be that this has limited, in some way, their perception of Christ, or the depth of their worship, so that, experientially, it is slightly closer to veneration (or veneration closer to adoration)?

Adoration of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament takes one so much deeper into their spiritual life that the difference between veneration and adoration is more readily apparent to a Catholic or Orthodox. Indeed, the concept of veneration is foreign to most denominations.

Where in the United States of America can a Eucharistic Procession NOT be held ?..

…Redemptionis Sacramentum …
On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist

“the tradition of holding eucharistic processions should not be allowed to be lost. Instead, new ways should be sought of holding them in today’s conditions: for example, at shrines, or in public gardens if the civil authority agrees.”

"Therefore both public and private devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist even outside Mass should be vigorously promoted, for by means of it the faithful give adoration to Christ, truly and really present, the "High Priest of the good things to come” and Redeemer of the whole world. “It is the responsibility of sacred Pastors, even by the witness of their life, to support the practice of Eucharistic worship and especially exposition of the Most Holy Sacrament, as well as prayer of adoration before Christ present under the eucharistic species.”

"Wherever it is possible in the judgement of the diocesan Bishop, a procession through the public streets should be held, especially on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ as a public witness of reverence for the Most Holy Sacrament”, for the “devout participation of the faithful in the eucharistic procession on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ is a grace from the Lord which yearly fills with joy those who take part in it”.