What do I do at adoration?

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Hi all. I signed up for my first adoration for later this week. I’m really excited to go, but I realized this morning that I don’t know what to do when I get there. Do I just go to the alter and kneel in front of the Holy Eucharist the entire time? Or am I allowed to genuflect and then take a seat? Or a combination of both? Should I just do what the person before me is doing?
 
Yes…

Don’t forget to pray! Sometimes there are kneelers in front of the sanctuary, or an altar rail. It is alright and encouraged to kneel on those and pray. If there is no altar rail, I would keep some distance (first pew) from the altar out of reverence. You should genuflect; some tell you both knees, but the Holy Father has said one knee is fine. It is ok to sit, but it is good to kneel as long as it isn’t straining. You can stand as well. But most importantly, enjoy the time in the face of Our Lord!
 
Rutabaga said:
Hi all. I signed up for my first adoration for later this week. I’m really excited to go, but I realized this morning that I don’t know what to do when I get there. Do I just go to the alter and kneel in front of the Holy Eucharist the entire time? Or am I allowed to genuflect and then take a seat? Or a combination of both? Should I just do what the person before me is doing?
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Adoration is a wonderful and very personal experience! Whatever you do, make sure that you do it with reverence, but there are MANY ways to appreciate an opportunity like this. In the past, I’ve even brought a notebook and sat on the floor writing down meditations on the life of Christ (sitting on the floor is a personal devotion of mine… I have never set hind-end to a chair in Adoration)… I wouldn’t sit, except it’s hard to write while kneeling 🤷.

The best way I’ve heard it put is this: in Adoration, we Give worship to God and if we are open to it He gives us what we need most in return.
 
There are so many ways to make a Holy Hour. Here’s one adapted from “The How-to Book of Catholic Devotions.”

Divide the hour into fifteen-minute segments.

Take the first fifteen minutes to meditate upon Him Who is present in the Holy Eucharist. For the second fifteen minutes turn to prayers of thanksgiving. The third fifteen mintues could be used for prayers of petition. Use the last fifteen minutes for atonement.

You don’t need to follow this by the clock, but as the Spirit guides you. You could also use those quarter-hour segments to pray the rosary or a chaplet, read Scripture or engage in Lectio Divina, read other inspired books such as those on the saints, or you could meditate in adoration for the whole time. I sometimes sing hymns (in my head) or just go through a hymnal and read through the lyrics.
 
Rutabaga said:
Hi all. I signed up for my first adoration for later this week. I’m really excited to go, but I realized this morning that I don’t know what to do when I get there. Do I just go to the alter and kneel in front of the Holy Eucharist the entire time? Or am I allowed to genuflect and then take a seat? Or a combination of both? Should I just do what the person before me is doing?
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We go to Adoration to connect with the Lord. Adoration is very personal, just as if you were connecting with a relative or personal friend – each visit is unique. You can choose to pray structured prayers, such as the rosary, or you can open your heart in your own words to the Lord. Many take religious reading materials with them. Or you can just sit or kneel in the pew and look at God while He looks back at you. Silently waiting for the Lord to communicate with you is very worthwhile. Many of us allow no silent periods, and yet expect to hear from the Lord. Relax and enjoy your visit. You’ll find that the time passes much too quickly.
 
It is costomary to genuflect with both knees when you first enter and again as you leave. Some who feel moved will also combine this with a profound bow, almost a prostration, but this is not necesssary. Some cannot kneel and so bow or genuflect as they can, but it is customary to genuflect with both knees in the presence of Christ exposed.

Other than that, it is up to you what you do.

Many pray the rosary, read scripture, pray the Liturgy of the Hours or the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or read some spiritual book. I see some answering the questions from their weekly Bible studies in the presence of our Lord.

I go to adoration late at night when the rest of the world sleeps. Sometimes all I can do is yawn. 🤷

-Tim-
 
Good for you! I go on Thursday nights 10:00PM - 11:00 PM … love it!

If I’m alone, which most of the time I am, I’ve been known to sing. I say my rosary, prayers of t-giving, write names on slips of paper and put in the PRAYER BASKET, read religious info, books, periodicals, sometimes I just sit and gaze at Jesus and am silent … which I don’t get much of and just enjoy being w/ the Lord.

Whatever you do, it’s right for you. You’ll love it!
 
I always genuflect on both knees before entering the pew and I give a profound bow while kneeling. I then enter the pew, kneel and begin a prayer of thanksgiving. After a few minutes I usually begin reading silently from a book called “Holy Hour of Reparation”. This takes about 45 minutes. I’ll then just sit and meditate on the exposed Eucharist. Some days I may have to sit until someone else arrives. One time it was almost 3 hours before anyone else showed up. But as I look back on that time, I find that that day was one of the most rewarding times. (never leave the expose Eucharist alone)

Going to Adoration in a couple of hours.
 
corsair said:
I always genuflect on both knees before entering the pew and I give a profound bow while kneeling. I then enter the pew, kneel and begin a prayer of thanksgiving. After a few minutes I usually begin reading silently from a book called “Holy Hour of Reparation”. This takes about 45 minutes. I’ll then just sit and meditate on the exposed Eucharist. Some days I may have to sit until someone else arrives. One time it was almost 3 hours before anyone else showed up. But as I look back on that time, I find that that day was one of the most rewarding times. (never leave the expose Eucharist alone)

Going to Adoration in a couple of hours.
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That is similar to what I do as well. You should kneel, if you are able. I will sit after a while, maybe 30-40 minutes. I spend the time in prayer, meditation on a particular verse or passage that comes to me, and contemplation, no particular order or timings, just letting God speak to me. And that’s right, never leave Jesus alone.
 
It is great that you seek to spend time with our Lord! Adoration can be defined as the worship of Jesus Christ outside of the mass. It is a unique blessing which only the Catholic and Orthodox Churches can offer.

I suggest that you ask at your parish for the rules of etiquette to be observed at adoration. Here is a copy from EWTN’s website. Before I enter the chapel, I remind myself that I am coming into the presence of Greatness. The first rule to respect would be that of maintaining silence, unless participating in an organized devotion, such as the Rosary or Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Silence is pure respect for our Lord, and for the others who are there. This means silencing or turning the cell phone off. I note that “Vibrate” is not silence. I do not rattle keys or zip my coat in the Lord’s presence, as this can be done before entering the chapel. Consider that others present may be seeking strength while undergoing trials or may be discerning the Lord’s will for them concerning a serious situation.

You may note that some will walk forward on their knees as they approach the altar. This is out of humility, and is normally associated with those from Latin America. Out of respect, I do not turn my back on our Lord. Thus, I walk backward, facing Him, as I leave. Sadly, I have seen others with feet up on the chairs in front, or drinking from water bottles. I remember that the Lord Jesus is my judge, and act accordingly.

But, what to do while there? In his book Celebrating the Holy Eucharist, Francis Cardinal Arinze teaches that, in the following order, the Lord is due five things from us: Adoration, praise, thanksgiving, propitiaon, and petition. I ask His forgiveness for those times that I have reversed this order. First, simply adore Him. It is surprising just how profound this simple act can become.

Yet, our Lord is not alone. The Father and the Holy Spirit are with Him in the Eucharist. Prayer in such a Divine presence can take on a new dimension, and the Holy Spirit may choose to manifest Himself at some time while you are there. You may experience something supernatural while before Him. Just what form that will take is up to the Lord to decide, but when and if it happens, you will be changed. It may be comfort that is spirit-deep, enlightenment regarding a particular situation, or even a “word of knowledge” given to you regarding something that the Lord is doing elsewhere.

It is a wonderful form of worship that should become increasingly desirable to you.
 
corsair,

Thanks for telling me about “Holy Hour of Reparation” … I just printed it on line and will take it w/ me tonight for my hour.

Blessings,
 
We only have one hour of Adoration per week in our parish, on Monday nights. This is what my typical Holy Hour looks like:
I genuflect on both knees before I enter the pew, then I kneel down in the pew and open with a heart-to-heart with Our Lord. I tell Him how happy I am to be there in His presence, and I gush for a bit about how much I love Him. I thank Him for all the blessings He has bestowed on me, I tell Him about things that bug me and that I would like His help with, I tell Him about my worries and about the things I need to work on.
Then I pray a rosary, usually for the babies whose lives are being threatened by abortion, and for their mothers that they may have a change of heart and save their babies’ lives. Then I sit for a bit and just look at Our Lord, and feel the comfort of His presence and enjoy the silence. The hour flies by, and usually the Benediction comes to soon!

I only started going to Adoration a few months ago, and I have no idea if I’m doing it right… but I absolutely love it, it is my hour of solace every week!
 
One of the beauties about Adoration is that it is such a personal devotion. I have experienced such intimate moments with Jesus while at Adoration. Folks already gave you great ideas on what to do. I try to bring a pen and paper in case I want to write anything down.

I’ve heard a story of a man who used walk to a church every day during his lunch break to sit before Jesus in the Tabernacle. One day the priest asked him about what was going on during these visits. The man answered, “I look at Jesus, and He looks at me.”
 
I love adoration; however the chapel I go to no longer has the Eucharist exposed. They said it has something to do with canon law 938?:confused:
 
Bring a spiritual book. Or a Rosary (but pray very, very quietly). If it’s a dedicated chapel, there is probably a small library there with suitable reading matter.

It’s typical to kneel for some prayer, but I know my lower back and knees couldn’t take it for a solid hour. I’d have to crawl out. I’ve witnessed people prostrate themselves before the Eucharist. Most people just genuflect.

I’d wager a lot of money that there will be signs reminding you to turn off cell phones, pagers, or watch alarms. But just in case I’m wrong, turn everything off before you enter.

It is a private devotion. There is no wrong way. Well, I guess there could be, if you bring a guitar in, or start juggling, 😉

About all you should hear inside the chapel is breathing, pages turning, and the occasional rattle of Rosary beads. Maybe a chair creaking. Just keep it that way and you’ll be fine.

When I lived in another town, a nearby parish had a Perpetual Adoration chapel I’d go to. The monstrance was inside a locked cabinet with a glass front. One night I was in there in a chair on the right side. I heard the door open, it was on the left side behind me, so I didn’t see who came in. Whoever came in settled in my blind spot to my left and behind me. I was reading and looked up and saw a bearded face superimposed over the Eucharist. I about jumped out of my skin! :eek:

Then I realized the angle was just right and it was the reflection of the guy sitting behind me.
 
Rutabaga said:
Hi all. I signed up for my first adoration for later this week. I’m really excited to go, but I realized this morning that I don’t know what to do when I get there. Do I just go to the alter and kneel in front of the Holy Eucharist the entire time? Or am I allowed to genuflect and then take a seat? Or a combination of both? Should I just do what the person before me is doing?
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What I do is genuflect and kneel in a pew. I talk to Jesus about all sorts of things and listen with my soul, too because a big part of praying is listening 😉
 
Thanks for all the tips everyone. With the help of your tips, I went to adoration feeling prepared and less anxious about messing up, which in turn allowed me to spend some quality time with the Lord. I enjoyed it so much that I stayed longer than I had originally planned. I can’t wait to go again!

I enjoyed reading about what others do at adoration so please don’t feel like you can’t post just because I’ve already went. I just wanted to take the time to thank and update those who have posted so far.

God Bless.
 
Rutabaga said:
Thanks for all the tips everyone. With the help of your tips, I went to adoration feeling prepared and less anxious about messing up, which in turn allowed me to spend some quality time with the Lord. I enjoyed it so much that I stayed longer than I had originally planned. I can’t wait to go again!

I enjoyed reading about what others do at adoration so please don’t feel like you can’t post just because I’ve already went. I just wanted to take the time to thank and update those who have posted so far.

God Bless.
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So glad that you enjoyed adoration so much. Ever since I converted to the traditional Catholic faith some years ago I have always felt so privileged to be able to attend adoration in the presence of our Lord and to be present when Father celebrates solemn benediction of the blessed eucharist. It really strengthens and consolidates my faith every time I attend - and I always express my gratitude to Him for bringing me to the Catholic faith.
 
Rutabaga said:
Hi all. I signed up for my first adoration for later this week. I’m really excited to go, but I realized this morning that I don’t know what to do when I get there. Do I just go to the alter and kneel in front of the Holy Eucharist the entire time? Or am I allowed to genuflect and then take a seat? Or a combination of both? Should I just do what the person before me is doing?
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Adoration is great 🙂

You genuflect on both knees, then you can sit or kneel wherever, there are usually chairs or pews. Kneeling is best, if you can.

The first time I went to Adoration I could only stay for like 15 minutes, I couldn’t focus… but then afterwards, I found myself missing it. It’s really wonderful and gives many graces even if you notice them afterwards.

Don’t forget to say the Spiritual Communion prayer 😉 you don’t have to but it’s a great idea.

God bless! 🙂
 
Rutabaga said:
Hi all. I signed up for my first adoration for later this week. I’m really excited to go, but I realized this morning that I don’t know what to do when I get there. Do I just go to the alter and kneel in front of the Holy Eucharist the entire time? Or am I allowed to genuflect and then take a seat? Or a combination of both? Should I just do what the person before me is doing?
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Pray, meditate, wonder, be amazed, ask for forgiveness, forgive others, release anger, ask for guidance, petition for others needs, cry, laugh, sing psalms and hymns, read the Bible slowly and with meditation, especially pray the Rosary, thank GOD for Mary, thank GOD for your Guardian Angle and pray for GOD’s blessing on your angle, review your conscience, just keep your gaze upon JESUS in the BLESSED SACRAMENT and repeat HIS many names,
Do whatever feels comfortable to communicate personally with JESUS and build your “personal relationship” with HIM.
My only “do not do” is to read the news paper - like your bored and using HIS time to catch up on your world news.
 
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