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ronh4
Guest
This thought came to me this morning while in Adoration.
What do you think?
What do you think?
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JamalChristophr
Guest
Because Jesus is hidden under the humble appearance of bread.
It is easy to believe as a Catholic in principle in the real presence, but in practice, one does wonder.
Sister Briege has posed this question, too. It is hard for us to truly believe in practice. I have gone regularly in the past. Then stopped going. Then started again.
Jesus is quiet in the way he interacts with most of us at adoration. Sometimes one may not “feel” his presence or notice a chance or anything, but we must believe that great graces are received by spending time before the Blessed Sacrament.
Let us not delude ourselves, however, even Mother Teresa has experienced great spiritual dryness at times in her life when she was doing her daily Holy Hour. Did she ever stop going? Nope.
It is easy to believe as a Catholic in principle in the real presence, but in practice, one does wonder.
Sister Briege has posed this question, too. It is hard for us to truly believe in practice. I have gone regularly in the past. Then stopped going. Then started again.
Jesus is quiet in the way he interacts with most of us at adoration. Sometimes one may not “feel” his presence or notice a chance or anything, but we must believe that great graces are received by spending time before the Blessed Sacrament.
Let us not delude ourselves, however, even Mother Teresa has experienced great spiritual dryness at times in her life when she was doing her daily Holy Hour. Did she ever stop going? Nope.
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edward_george
Guest
Because people come throughout the day at different times. Because people don’t line up to go in, they go in and spend time with Our Lord. Because people’s work schedules don’t always allow them to go spend time in adoration. Because some people who work all day go very late at night. Because some people have a hard time loading four and five kids into the car and taking them somewhere where it’s still very hard to keep them still. Because some people sanctify their day in other ways, by offering their labors as a sacrifice to God. Because adoration isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, devotionally speaking.
There are a lot of good reasons why people aren’t going. The best thing to do is assume the best about people’s intentions, and intercede for them before the Lord, allowing them to share in the graces you receive in humility before His Presence. Some people simply can’t make it; you ought to do double the praying on their behalf.
-ACEGC
There are a lot of good reasons why people aren’t going. The best thing to do is assume the best about people’s intentions, and intercede for them before the Lord, allowing them to share in the graces you receive in humility before His Presence. Some people simply can’t make it; you ought to do double the praying on their behalf.
-ACEGC
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JamalChristophr
Guest
To wish to come to Adoration is a grace in itself. And it is true that we all receive different graces.
The Orthodox don’t have adoration at all.
I’m not sure about the Eastern Rite Catholic churches.
The Orthodox don’t have adoration at all.
I’m not sure about the Eastern Rite Catholic churches.
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7_Sorrows
Guest
Maybe there are some people who do not really understand it or have never experienced it. It is one of my favorite places.
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grannymh
Guest
Perhaps no one asks the pastor to preach adoration of Jesus Christ at Sunday Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
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John_Martin
Guest
Because it is announced incorrectly.
At our parish they put out requests for people to “man the post” around the clock, as if it is a church mission to have the Sacrament exposed continually.
But, they do not proclaim it for all - they do not say that “we have people watching with Christ around the clock so that all of you in the parish can come at any time to spend an hour with Him.”
It is advertised as a scheduled job for a few and never stated that the goal is making it fully available to all the parish without having to schedule a specific time. Come whenever you are able or need to come.
(also, at our parish they have a lock on the entrance to the adoration chapel building, and if you don’t know the code you can’t get in, yet they do not publish the code nor say to call the office for the code).
At our parish they put out requests for people to “man the post” around the clock, as if it is a church mission to have the Sacrament exposed continually.
But, they do not proclaim it for all - they do not say that “we have people watching with Christ around the clock so that all of you in the parish can come at any time to spend an hour with Him.”
It is advertised as a scheduled job for a few and never stated that the goal is making it fully available to all the parish without having to schedule a specific time. Come whenever you are able or need to come.
(also, at our parish they have a lock on the entrance to the adoration chapel building, and if you don’t know the code you can’t get in, yet they do not publish the code nor say to call the office for the code).
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Dorothy
Guest
What you wrote reminded me of something. Several of my Catholic ladyfriends and myself had an appointment to visit a Greek Orthodox church not too far from us. We were given a tour and explanations of the art there, and admired the icons.
The tour guide then asked us if we had any questions, and I asked her if they had the Blessed Sacrament in reserve, as I had not seen the Orthodox genuflect towards the altar. She mentioned to me that the Sacrament was indeed there, (behind the screens I believe, I don’t recall), and that the reason for what may have seemed to be a lack of reverence was because in their Divine Liturgy their reverence towards the Consecration was so intense that their culture did not need the other acts of reverence. (I am paraphrasing as I do not remember her exact words.
So, that could be an explanation about their not having Eucharistic Adoration.
I am so grateful that we do have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, as it has always been so meaningful to me. It seems to me to be an excellent way to pray and honor our Lord and I am very thankful for it. It also taught me a lot as a young child, being present at forty-hour devotions, and witnessing processions of the Blessed Sacrament with incense, altar boys carrying candles, and all the blessings that came to me from that. I remember the church being packed at that special time.
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Cat
Guest
Good post.
My question is, “Are we worshipping the Lord Jesus all day long as we go about our daily work and play?”
I will confess that I don’t do this. I forget about Jesus all day long. Thankfully, He doesn’t forget about me.
It’s easy and delightful to sit in a peaceful 24/7 Adoration Chapel and adore the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It’s a lot harder to honor and praise Him throughout the day while we finish the necessary chores of being human beings, do the work that earns our daily bread, raise children who are not always cooperative with our child-rearing efforts, help our aging parents when they don’t always want our help, and deal with all the sin and temptation that surrounds us.
Our parish has a 24/7 Adoration Chapel, so I speak from personal experience.
In the United States, it’s not possible for most of us to spend a lot of time sitting in an Adoration Chapel. We can make quick visits, but even that usually involves a car trip and possibly child-care or elder-care arrangements. Not everyone can do this.
So in short, let’s not judge, OK? Let’s take care of our own souls and our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and not worry about everyone else. Pray for them.
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Memaw
Guest
The most peaceful place on Earth is in a Catholic Church with the Blessed Sacrament. I have had a Holy Hour for nearly 25 years, ever since Perpetual Adoration started in our Church, but I have spent many hours there even before. I wish I could tell you of the many, many graces received. Many conversions within my family. Most do not understand it because they haven’t tried it. 40 years ago a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to go to daily Mass with her during Lent and I agreed. Being a mother of a large family (8) and expecting another baby, I could hardly wait for Lent to be over. But I soon found out my day was empty of Something (or should I say SOMEONE) Special. I started going to daily Mass again and have done so ever since. If my friend had not asked me to join her, I probably never would have done so on my own. It scares me to think of what would have been missing in my life and the lives of those I pray for, ( which includes all of you forum folks). Please give it a try and let Our Lord help you with your lives in a very special way. God Bless, Memaw
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Dorothy
Guest
When my children were young I took them to adoration for about three minutes. Then we went to the park.
Some of them were toddlers and, of course, I could not stay for an hour at adoration. Thankfully, I saw the older ones genuflect as they had been taught, before we left.
Some of them were toddlers and, of course, I could not stay for an hour at adoration. Thankfully, I saw the older ones genuflect as they had been taught, before we left.
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Jeanne_S
Guest
That is not the case in my parish.We are blessed to have a 24hour adoration chapel.I have been a committed adorer for five years now.In addition to those of us with an assigned hour,there are people continually dropping in,of times it is filled to capacity.
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Dorothy
Guest
What a great blessing to each person and to the Body of Christ the Church!That is not the case in my parish.We are blessed to have a 24hour adoration chapel.I have been a committed adorer for five years now.In addition to those of us with an assigned hour,there are people continually dropping in,of times it is filled to capacity.
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commenter
Guest
Starting in the late 1960s, there was a tendency to deemphasize the Mass as a sacrifice, and the Consecration. For many people the crucial point in the Mass is the Sign of Peace. I am not denying there were some good things focused on, but we tend to forget what was lost.
When my kids were making their First Communion, one parent complained that the only focus seemed to be on “community”; that the host was just something the child deserved, as a reward for having reached a certain age; one more trophy to boost their self esteem. Some parents rented limousines! One parent complained about the lack of mention of the Real Presence during the training. The response was that it would be covered in later grades. But it wasn’t.
Years ago, most adoration took place in the quiet church before and after Mass, as people briefly recognized Who it was in the Blessed Sacrament, which was prominent; as was the Crucifix. People were able to make the connection between the doctrine and the devotion, between the crucifixion and the communion, between their own sinfulness and a Savior, between Confession and Communion. Vatican II never intended to break those connections, but that’s what happened. Catholics raised to view Jesus as the Great Moral Teacher and Facilitator of Community don’t see a reason for “Adoration”. From their training it seems artificial, or “unequal”.
Adoration chapels are great. But there’s a great deal of reeducating that needs to be done, so that more people will appreciate this ministry. You have to put a lot of the other pieces together, to understand what “adoration” means.
When my kids were making their First Communion, one parent complained that the only focus seemed to be on “community”; that the host was just something the child deserved, as a reward for having reached a certain age; one more trophy to boost their self esteem. Some parents rented limousines! One parent complained about the lack of mention of the Real Presence during the training. The response was that it would be covered in later grades. But it wasn’t.
Years ago, most adoration took place in the quiet church before and after Mass, as people briefly recognized Who it was in the Blessed Sacrament, which was prominent; as was the Crucifix. People were able to make the connection between the doctrine and the devotion, between the crucifixion and the communion, between their own sinfulness and a Savior, between Confession and Communion. Vatican II never intended to break those connections, but that’s what happened. Catholics raised to view Jesus as the Great Moral Teacher and Facilitator of Community don’t see a reason for “Adoration”. From their training it seems artificial, or “unequal”.
Adoration chapels are great. But there’s a great deal of reeducating that needs to be done, so that more people will appreciate this ministry. You have to put a lot of the other pieces together, to understand what “adoration” means.
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ProVobis
Guest
At my parish, you have to call one of five women and make some kind of an appointment. It is locked most of the time. It gives it the appearance that Adoration is not open to everyone.
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7_Sorrows
Guest
Thanks for sharing your beautiful faith story. I feel I have had many graces bestowed on me since I have gone to Adoration.
It brings so much peace. I try to drop in other than my scheduled Adoration hour whenever I can. It has brought me closer to Jesus and His Mother. I wish I could attend daily Mass, but I am not able to at this time.
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JamalChristophr
Guest
Yes, I find the locking of the chapel troublesome. Security should not be ignored, but accessibility to Jesus in the Eucharist needs to weighed in contrast to security. I think the chapel should be unlocked until 6:00 PM and ability to get the code be known at mass.
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Jeanne_S
Guest
Do you have a dedicated chapel,or is it the the .blessed Sacrament is exposes only at certain times?
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Magdalen2013
Guest
At our parish we have a Perpetual Adoration Chapel – while the building is locked, the chapel is manned around the clock, and one of the assigned Adorers will come and let anyone in who rings the doorbell. We’ve always got a couple of shifts going begging for a volunteer, and we cover for each other when conflicts come up.
The reason the chapel is locked is for the security of the Adorers, and because the chapel is housed in the old convent, which is now a daycare center.
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ProVobis
Guest
It’s a dedicated room at the end of the hallway; I’ve only had occasion to see through the window as either that room or the church is locked, usually after 9 am on weekdays. If one really wanted to do Adoration in peace, he’d be best advised to go to a more distant parish.
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