I will share some thoughts, in hopes of encouraging you to participate.

One may ask, why participate? Christ himself is present in the Sacrament of the Altar; He is to be honored with the worship of adoration. “To visit the Blessed Sacrament is...a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a duty of adoration toward Christ Our Lord” (Paul VI,CCC#1418)

Jesus gave us the Eucharist. Time in Adoration gives us the opportunity to respond to this great gift. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is not meant to take the place of attending Mass. However, it is an important devotion. John Paul II stated, “The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet him in adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our adoration never cease.” Dominicae cenae,3) A relationship with Jesus, like all relationships which are important to us, must be nurtured by giving it time and focused attention. Sometimes we need the discipline of a set time to nurture that relationship.

One may ask, what am I expected to do during my time in Adoration. Most of all, this should be a prayerful, quiet time with God. In our always busy schedules, it is a good thing to set a time which we commit to spending with our Lord. Depending on where one is in his/her prayer life in general or on a specific day, one may spend the time: reading a spiritual book, praying the Rosary, meditating on a passage from scripture, writing in a prayer journal, prayerfully considering what God is saying, resting in the peace of being in the presence of Jesus. This list is not inclusive. It is always a good thing to spend time with our Lord. How we relate to Him is private for each of us. These are meant only as suggestions. You are free to expand on the list.

A story related in the book, No Wonder They Call It the Real Presence by Pearson tells of Father Vianney, pastor of a country parish in the 1800’s asking a farmer who knelt in front of the Blessed Sacrament daily, what it was that he was saying to the Lord. The farmer answered, Oh, I don’t say anything, I look at Him, and He looks at me.” I encourage you to choose a time to commit to sit with our Lord in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.