Surprise!
Welcome to the 10th issue of the Fit Shepherds’ newsletter. You didn’t expect me today, did you? I usually email this out on Thursday nights or Friday mornings. But I’m sharing this issue with you earlier than normal because tomorrow is Catholic Man Night at Our Lady of Mercy. (It starts at 6:30 p.m.) Part of the evening will include an hour of Eucharistic Adoration. What is that? How can one spend the hour? Why is it important?
I’ve searched the internet to find some content that might be helpful for those who have those questions. First, if you have about five minutes, click above to listen to a short podcast by Fr. David Peck, the pastor at St. John Neumann Church in St. Charles, as he shares his top-10 reasons why Eucharistic Adoration is a game changer.
(By the way, even if you can’t make it to Eucharistic Adoration tomorrow night at the Catholic Man Night, consider spending some time in Eucharistic Adoration some other time.)
What is the Eucharist and what is Eucharistic Adoration?
The Eucharist is Christ himself. During the Mass, the bread is consecrated and becomes the Body of Christ (transubstantiation). Even though we cannot see, touch or taste the difference, and the form of the bread remains the same, the substance is changed. While Jesus Christ is present to us in many ways (i.e., in His word, in prayer, in the poor, in the sacraments), He is present most especially in the Eucharist. Christ’s presence in the Eucharist is unique and raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments. That is why the Eucharist is often called the most Blessed Sacrament. The body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the whole Christ, is truly, really and substantially contained in the Eucharist.
Eucharistic Adoration is prayer: adoring and honoring the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus Christ. In his Eucharistic presence, Christ remains mysteriously in our midst as the one who loved us and gave Himself up for us. At Adoration, Jesus comes to meet us in a unique way, face-to-face. It is an encounter with Christ.
Some suggestions of what to do at Eucharistic Adoration, according to the Maronite Monks of Adoration. These suggestions are to help you to choose what may help you to focus on during the hour of Adoration. But, please, don’t limit yourself. If some inspiration comes to you about what to pray about, then go with that:
Slowly read Sacred Scripture until something hits you. Then listen.
Say the Holy Rosary.
If you can’t say 15 decades, say five decades.
If you can’t say five decades, say one decade.
If you can’t say one decade, say one Hail Mary very slowly.
In other words, pray as you can, not as you can’t.
Look at the Good God, and let Him look at you.
Consider that the Sacred Body of Jesus came from Holy Mary. Thank her.
Tell Jesus something that made you happy. Then listen.
Tell Him what you are afraid of. Then listen.
Tell Him what angers you. Then listen.
Speak about your loved ones.
Pray for an enemy.
Talk with Him about work.
Pray to St. Joseph and ask for strength as a father and/or as a man.
Pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Sing a song for Him in your heart.
Promise to trust Him.
See the Blessed Virgin kneeling next to you, adoring her Son and praying with you.
Realize that your Holy Guardian Angel is with you. Ask him to coach you in holiness.
Renew your loyalty to His Church.
Ask your patron saint to pray for you to know and do God’s Will.
Lean on Him. Tell Him you love Him.
Thank Him for the Sacraments.
For a time, don’t DO anything. Be with Him, as a friend, while He works.
Ask Him if that is perhaps what He wants you to “do” more often.
Tell Him your failures. Ask for help. Then listen.
Slowly recite the Beatitudes:
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."Say one Our Father slowly.
Say the Creed slowly:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen.Pray for a great love of the Cross.
See Our Lord in His Passion. Stand there, with Him, as Our Lady does.
Lean into the hurricane of graces coming from the monstrance, which is the vessel that holds the consecrated Communion Host. (See photo above.)
Slowly recite the Jesus Prayer —“Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” — several times.
Tell Him: “Jesus, I trust in You; strengthen my trust.” Repeat that several times.
Ask Him: “Lord, what do you want me to do? And how do you want me to do it?”
Ask Him to show you the next step.
Talk to Him heart-to-Heart.
Pray for the Holy Father. Pray for the priests in this parish.
Pray for vocations.
Pray for those who are ill or facing difficulties in life.
Consider yourself. Count your gifts. Then thank Him.
Enjoy just being in His Presence.
What Are Some Things to Do during Eucharistic Adoration?