“What is Eucharistic Adoration?” That’s a question we often hear from those new to the faith or searching for ways to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. Adoration is a way to be present with the Lord and focus on actively listening to His word through prayer.
What Is Eucharistic Adoration?
During Eucharistic Adoration, the faithful pray to Jesus Christ, who is present in the Eucharist. The Eucharist, also referred to as the Blessed Sacrament, is typically kept in a tabernacle at your parish church.
While it is true that you can pray to God anywhere and that He is always within you, it is especially powerful to adore Jesus in the Eucharist. In the presence of the Eucharist, we pray to the power and sacrifice that it represents — the body of Jesus, who gave His life so that we may live.
It is His body, blood, soul and divinity that is really, truly, and substantially present in the Eucharist.
We adore and receive the Eucharist in communion at Mass, which is the most beautiful act of worship that we have as Catholics. We have Jesus truly present in all of the tabernacles around the world. We can continue to adore Him in the Eucharist after Mass in a quiet time of prayer and contemplation on Who we have just received . Being in the presence of the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ gives spiritual strength and nourishment in a uniquely powerful way.
Perpetual Adoration
During Perpetual Adoration, as we practice at St. Clement’s Eucharistic Shrine in Boston, the Eucharist is in constant company of the faithful, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Perpetual adoration began again at St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine on August 15, 2009.
Over the past ten years, we’ve heard from many adorers about how grateful they are for this intimate time with Jesus. This time of personal prayer and adoration has helped community members discern what God wants for them in life. They value the opportunity for reflection in the prayerful space that St. Clement’s Eucharistic Shrine provides.
“Perpetual adoration is amazing! St. Clement really works hard to provide opportunities for everyone to grow in faith.”
Sabrina
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Join UsHow Do You Adore the Eucharist?
Now that we’ve answered the question “what is Eucharistic Adoration?”, we can discuss how it’s practiced. There are many ways to approach prayer in the presence of the Eucharist. You might have a personal conversation with the Lord, pray the rosary, read scripture or use our adoration resources.
You might also wish to pray together as a community. On weekdays during the academic year, the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and our seminarians say Morning Prayer at St. Clement’s Shrine. They also hold a daily holy hour in the early evening, which includes a recitation of the Rosary and Evening Prayer. We welcome the community to join us in prayer to adore the Eucharist together each morning and evening.
How a Eucharistic Adoration Coordinator Adores the Eucharist
One of our Adoration coordinators and spiritual directors, Joanne, gives the following advice for adoring the Eucharist:
“I suggest asking for God’s guidance. Ask God Our Father, Jesus or the Holy Spirit to teach you how to pray, and then pray in the way you feel drawn to, whether it’s with one of the guides or whatever works best. Speak to God about everything that is on your heart and devote time to listening.
My time at adoration varies, but I usually start with a 7-10 minute Examen Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola, then the Divine Office through the iBreviary app for 10-15 minutes, followed by praying with a passage of Scripture. I choose the Scripture passage depending on what I’m drawn to pray with at the moment. It is either something from the Divine Office (which I just read and was especially moved by), one of the readings of the day, or any lines from Scripture that I’m drawn to.
It is also important to make time to just sit in God’s presence and listen. I ask God to speak to my mind and heart and give me all the graces and guidance I need. I then dedicate a certain amount of time to sit with Him, trying to ignore any distracting thoughts that might be on my mind, and listen. The graces from adoration might not be noticed until later that day, week or month.
I recommend that every Catholic make time for Eucharistic Adoration. Jesus asks us in Scripture (Mark 14:37) to spend time with Him, countless saints have written about the benefits of praying in the presence of the Eucharist, and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church teaches us that the Eucharist is the ‘source and summit of the life and mission of the Church’.”
Join Us for Eucharistic Adoration
If you feel called to commit to a scheduled hour of adoration at St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine, please sign up on our website to coordinate the schedule and start receiving blessings. We invite all who wish to experience this powerful space for prayer to join us in adoring the Eucharist—especially during the Year of the Eucharist which ends in 2022.
What benefits have you found from praying to the Eucharist? Do you have any questions or suggestions about how to adore the Eucharist? Let’s discuss Adoration in the comments below.
Please pray for peace in Turkey and Syria and in the region for protection of family, my relatives and all my people and all the good peoples. Christ must reign.
In the Name of Lord Jesus Christ.
God Bless you.
[…] from the beginning of our foundation up to the present time. He emphasized the importance of the Eucharistic Adoration, particularly in today’s world, for we see the decline of faith and the growing restlessness […]
As a general practice please pray for our leaders in the Federal government of the United States especially those who are of the Catholic faith.
Please pray for me for a personal issue.
Dear Jesus. Never let us wander from you. Keep us close and loving at all times. Help us with those that are within our sphere of influence to come to know You and serve You. Renew the hearts of our children and everyone who needs your presence in their lives. I love you, Jesus! Thank you for all that You have done for me and the whole world. Amen
Greg, This is so beautiful. Thank you
[…] practice involves praying to Jesus Christ while in the presence of the Eucharist, which is based on the Catholic belief that Christ is present […]
Please Pray that our Lord in the most Blessed Sacrament will be loved and not forgotten on the Alters at Adoration. We are living in times of distractions of the world. Let us make good use of this social media, Posting on Facebook and other media the reminder of Eucharistic Adoration, the extreme importance of Adoration. For this is indeed Gods greatest gift to us. The Most Blessed Sacrament.
Please pray for the very special intentions, petitions, favors and prayers I hold in my heart. Thank you!
Thank you very much for explaining how to pray during Eucharistic Adoration. I received initiation sacraments in 2005, but then strayed from my new faith. I am grateful to have finally returned. Your explanation has helped me to understand Eucharist Adoration more clearly after having read several other explanations online. May God bless you all with peace.
We pray that evil is vanquished in our nation and we return to goodness, light and faith.
I beg for your prayers that the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for me. As a result of very deep personal grief, clinical depression has set in. It is a nightmare. I am alone without family. Please pray that Jesus will heal me soon in Jesus’ Name. Amen
My Lord, my God, my Savour, myKing, my love; have mercy on me a sinner.
Please pray for a Mother/daughter reunion for Samantta Monique and I. She has suffered mental illness and is estranged by her choice. Please support me in asking God to mold me to be the loving support she needs.