Eucharistic Adoration

“A Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament is worth more than a thousand years of human glory.” (St. Padre Pio)

Please consider signing up for a Holy Hour (details below)

What is Eucharistic Adoration?

It is a time of prayer in which the faithful adore Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament. It takes place either when the Church reserves the Eucharistic Lord in the tabernacle, or when the consecrated Host is exposed in a monstrance outside of Mass.

This worship flows directly from the Catholic dogma that Jesus is truly and sacramentally present — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity — in the Eucharist, under the appearance of bread in the consecrated Host.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament flows from the Sacrifice of the Mass and serves to deepen our hunger for communion with Christ and the rest of the Church.

Why should I participate?

For Your Soul

At its deepest level, adoration is about relationship. Our Lord wants us to make time for adoration for our benefit, not His — and if we reverently wait on the Lord in prayer, He will bless us. This isn't obligation, it is invitation. Jesus is present, waiting, and the time you give Him will not return empty.

When we pay dutiful homage to Christ, we receive an increase of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, which in turn make our minds more readily able to celebrate with proper devotion the memorial of the Lord.

There is also a spiritual logic to adoration that flows directly from Mass. Those who offer adoration continue their Eucharistic devotion outside the sacrifice in order to receive more abundantly the fruits that originate from it and to participate in them more efficaciously. In other words, adoration deepens what the Mass begins.

For the Parish

When a parish commits to regular adoration, something changes. People begin returning to Mass. Families grow stronger. The sacraments, especially Confession, see more traffic. Relationships within the community deepen.

This is not coincidence. When Jesus is placed at the center of parish life, everything else begins to order itself around Him. Adoration is not one more program on the calendar, it is the heartbeat that gives every other ministry its life.

A parish that adores together becomes a parish that loves together.

What do I do during Adoration?

One of the most common reasons people hesitate to sign up for adoration is a simple, honest question: "What am I supposed to do for a whole hour?"

The answer is beautifully simple: just be with Him.

This hour Jesus wants you to spend with Him can be spent any way you want. You may bring your own prayer books, use the books in the chapel, read the Bible, pray the Rosary, or just sit and relax.

During adoration, some people choose to pray the Rosary, others meditate on Scripture, and others simply sit in silent prayer. There is no single "right way" to pray, although typically silence is observed unless the faithful pray the Rosary together out loud.

Think of it this way: if you were visiting a dear friend who was gravely ill in the hospital, you would not feel pressure to fill every moment with words. Simply being present — attentive, loving, available — is itself an act of love. Adoration is no different. You are present to the Lord, and He is present to you.

FAQs about Adoration

Q: Who can come to adoration?

Anyone is welcome to come and pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Catholics, non-Catholics, and those who are still searching are all invited to enter in reverence and sincerity. The chapel is a place of encounter, not exclusion.

Q: Do I need to be in a state of grace to attend adoration?

No. You do not need to be in a state of grace to attend adoration. In fact, adoration is one of the most powerful places to seek the grace of conversion and to prepare your heart for Confession. If you have been away from the sacraments, let adoration be your first step back. Speak with a priest or check our Confession schedule — the mercy of Christ is waiting for you there.

Q: Is Eucharistic adoration a Sacrament?

No. Adoration is a sacramental devotion — a formal act of worship flowing from the Sacrament of the Eucharist — but it is not itself one of the seven Sacraments. Its power comes from the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, before Whom we kneel in adoration and love.

Q: Do I have to kneel the whole time?

No. While kneeling is a traditional posture of adoration and reverence, it is not required for the entire hour. Sitting quietly in prayer is completely appropriate. What matters is an attitude of reverence and attention toward the Lord, not a particular physical posture maintained without relief.

Q: What if I don't know how to pray?

That is exactly why adoration is such a gift. There is no performance, no script, and no grade. Simply come, sit before Him, and be honest. Tell Jesus what is on your heart. If words do not come, offer the silence itself. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our weakness — even when we do not know what to pray (Romans 8:26).

Q: How long do I need to stay?

When you sign up for a time slot, you are committing to cover that hour so Jesus is never left without a soul present in the chapel. That hour is yours to give and it is a real gift. That said, you are always welcome to come outside your assigned hour for however long you are able. Even fifteen minutes before the Blessed Sacrament can change your day.

Q: What should I bring?

Nothing is required. We have Bibles and prayer resources available in the chapel. If you have a favorite prayer book, rosary, or journal, feel free to bring them. Come as you are.

Q: Can I bring my children?

Yes, and what a gift to give them! Teaching children to be still before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is one of the most formative things a parent can do. Younger children may need a shorter visit, and that is perfectly fine. Bring a children's Bible or quiet activity if needed, and let them watch you pray. They will never forget it.

Q: Is there anything I should NOT do during adoration?

A few simple guidelines help maintain the reverence of the chapel for everyone:

• Keep conversation to a minimum — this is a place of prayer and silence
• Silence all phones or switch to airplane mode
• Dress modestly as a sign of respect for the Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament

Q: I haven't been to church in a long time. Is adoration still for me?

Especially for you. The Lord does not wait for perfection before He welcomes someone home. Adoration is simply time spent with Jesus — no prerequisites, no prior track record required. If something is drawing you toward that chapel door, do not ignore it. That pull has a name, and His name is Jesus.

Interested in signing up?

Please contact

Rosemary Gunsett      This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

or 

Sandra D'Souza       This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us!