Adoration
at the Cathedral
What is Adoration?
Eucharistic Adoration is a posture of love, the placing of oneself in
the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, whether
reposed inside
the tabernacle, or exposed inside a special stand called a monstrance
(such as the one Pope John Paul II holds in the image below).
Generally,
when a parish or organization holds a specific time of Adoration they
are referring to a time where the Blessed Sacrament is visible in the
monstrance for the people to pray before.
Adoration allows for a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, who is truly
and physically present in a special way in the Eucharistic liturgy,
and in the Eucharistic species.
While many
people pray privately in Adoration, Adoration can also be performed as
communal prayer and worship. This is usually done in the context
of a "Holy Hour" that is structured so as to give time for
specific communal prayer as well as private silent prayer. Thus,
communal Adoration becomes a beautiful way to help a parish or group grow together to become
a truly Eucharistic community.
People come to Eucharistic Adoration with a variety of motives and
methods of prayer. Some people
come who are suffering in some way, who are experiencing turmoil in
their lives and who seek refuge in the love of Jesus. Others come to
give praise and thanksgiving to God for His grace working in their life.
Still others come to simply sit or kneel in His presence, to find a
moment of peace with God in the midst of a busy life. Some people bring
the Bible or a spiritual book to read (most Adoration chapels also have
books available there for you to read), others pray the Rosary or the
Divine Mercy chaplet, to help them focus their minds and hearts on the
mystery of our salvation by Jesus Christ.
In Adoration, you are invited
to come as you are, no matter where you are on your spiritual journey
- Jesus is there to meet you where you are at, and to show you His love
and mercy in a new and special way, a way just for you!
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