EUCHARISTIC
ADORATION AT ST. JAMES
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What is
Eucharistic Adoration at St. James? Eucharistic
Adoration is simply prayer and meditation before the Blessed Sacrament (the
Consecrated Hosts in the tabernacle on the left side of the altar at St.
James). Mass is the public worship of
the church. Eucharistic Adoration is an
extension of our experience at mass, cultivating a deeper and truly personal
relationship with Jesus. This type of adoration can take place anytime in our
church. However, on the first Thursday
of the month at St. James, we have a special form of Adoration called
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. What is
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament? Specifically
it involves taking a Consecrated Host (Jesus) out of the tabernacle at St. James
and placing it in a monstrance that enables the Host to be seen. The monstrance is then set in front of the
tabernacle. This currently takes place
on the first Thursday of the month beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending with a
closing prayer service at 8:45 p.m.
During this time, parishioners commit to a specific amount of time
(usually an hour) to be with Jesus when He is exposed. |
What is a
monstrance?
A
sacred vessel which has a glass opening through which a Sacred Host can be seen
and protected. The glass enclosure at
St. James is surrounded by gold decorative rays enhancing the meaning of the
spiritual graces conferred by the Holy Eucharist on those who believe, adore
and participate. This glass enclosure is
held by a stem resting on a base similar to the base of a chalice. Currently on the first Thursday at St.
James, the monstrance is set out at 9:00 a.m. and then put away after the
prayer service at 9:00 p.m.
Is Eucharistic
Adoration different than Parish Prayer Day at St. James?
Every
Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. is set aside as a day of continuous prayer
in our church. During that time
everyone is encouraged to stop by during these hours and pray before the
Blessed Sacrament (Consecrated Hosts) which is always inside the tabernacle.
This is essentially Eucharistic Adoration.
However, this is different from the more formalized Exposition which at
this time is only on the FIRST Thursday of the month. This is when the Blessed Sacrament is actually exposed in the
monstrance to be seen by those present.
Why commit to
the first Thursday (Exposition) vs. just stopping in any time?
To
see Jesus visibly present under the appearance of the small white host is much
more conducive to intimacy than hidden away in the tabernacle. Moreover, it adds an extra responsibility to
the adorers to be sure to be faithful to the hours they are scheduled on the
first Thursday. This is due to the fact
that it is the suggested norm that there should be at least two adorers present
when Jesus is exposed in the monstrance because He must never be left
alone. It is a way to ‘keep vigil’
with Christ in the Eucharist and it focuses our attention and gives assurance
to our faith that He is with us. Of
course we still encourage Adoration at other times.
How do I spend
my hour before Jesus during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament?
This
hour that Jesus wants you to spend with Him is spent any way you want. You may bring your own prayer books, use the
materials in the bookcase by the tabernacle, read the Bible, pray the rosary,
journal, or just sit, relax and enjoy the peace that comes from simply being in
the Presence of God. You may feel that
you cannot pray well. Don’t let this discourage
you. The mere fact that you take time
out to spend an hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is in itself a prayer
of great faith.
One
note about the Rosary. When you pray
the Rosary in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, you love Jesus WITH THE
HEART OF MARY. Therefore, united to the
Heart of Mary through the rosary you make a perfect holy hour because you pray
to Jesus with the perfect love of Mary!
Is the
Exposition time limited from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.?
At
St. James, we currently have about 25 people committed to hours during the
first Thursday (roughly 2 people/hour).
We need to ensure that at least two people are committed to each hour
that we include in the Exposition time.
If we can get the commitment, we hope to have weekly Exposition every
Thursday. In other words, Prayer day
would always include Exposition of Jesus in the monstrance. The ultimate goal is then Perpetual
Adoration.
What is
Perpetual Adoration?
Perpetual
Adoration is a Eucharistic devotion whereby members of a parish unite in taking
hours of adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament (in most cases, exposed),
both during the day and throughout the night, seven days a week. In other words, if we had Perpetual
Adoration at St. James, someone would be praying in front of Jesus in the
monstrance at all times. In St. Louis,
207 parishes have either Perpetual Adoration or a regular schedule of
Eucharistic Adoration. One parish with
Perpetual Adoration in New Mexico has seen a 60 percent jump in weekly
collections.
Why
participate in St. James Eucharistic Adoration?
Many
who participate in Eucharistic Adoration often arrive at church weary and
burdened by a hectic day, but end up leaving refreshed and filled with the
peace that only comes from Our Lord.
For mothers it can become the favorite hour of the month. They love the peace and quiet. St.
John Vianney saw with his very own eyes Jesus cup the face of each person
who visited Him in the Blessed Sacrament and give each one a tender kiss of
gratitude.
A
recent survey indicated that only a third of American Catholics said they
believe in the Real Presence. Yet,
there have been many proofs of the transubstantiation given to us by God. This is truly Jesus and we need to turn back
to Him. An hour of Adoration (Holy
Hour) is an expression of faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy
Eucharist.
Pope John Paul II writes: ”The Church and the
world have a great need for Eucharistic adoration.” The pope has also said ”the best, the most effective, and the
surest way of bringing lasting peace on earth is through the great power of
Eucharistic adoration.”
Mother Teresa of Calcutta said that Perpetual
Eucharistic Adoration will save the world.
She wrote, “The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is
the best time you will spend on earth.”
And “If people spent one hour
per week in Eucharistic Adoration, abortion would be ended.”
While
the Polish nun, Blessed Faustina
Kowalska, was praying before the Blessed Sacrament, our Lord revealed
Himself to her. There were pink and
white rays of Divine Light emanating from His Sacred Heart, radiating through
the entire chapel. Whenever someone
came into the chapel for a visit, these Divine Rays would go forth from Jesus
and encircle the whole world. Jesus
explained that each person coming before Him in the Blessed Sacrament
represents all humanity and that every man, woman, and child on the face of the
earth experiences a new effect of His love and mercy for every Holy Hour made.
This is done by just one person.
What do we do
if we want to learn more about St. James Eucharistic Adoration?
Please
talk to anyone you may know who is currently participating in the first Thursday
Adoration. Feel free to stop in on
a first Thursday during Exposition time and see what Jesus looks like in the
monstrance and sit and feel the peace present in church. Or go during an hour or part of an hour with
someone who is already participating and experience what it is like. Any additional questions? Please contact
the Eucharistic Adoration Coordinator, Cindy Rogers at 781-0633..
“Could you not watch one hour with Me”.
Bishop Sheen said that this was the one specific request Jesus ever
asked of His Apostles. Once again the
Apostles fell asleep. He was denied
then, and He is being denied by so many now.