St. Monica Catholic Church

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.

How Do You Adore the Eucharist?

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 or a favorite devotional chaplet, such as the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, read scripture or simply sit in silence with Jesus.  The most important thing is the spending of time with the Lord!

 What Are Holy Hours?

Holy hours are the Roman Catholic devotional tradition of spending an hour in Eucharistic Adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. The bishops of the United States have created a variety of Holy Hours that focus our prayer to Jesus Christ on peace, life, vocations, and other topics that are at the heart of the life of the Church and the world.  You can find them HERE.