Written by Bridget Klawitter, Pastoral Associate

Eucharistic Adoration is a practice in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and some Lutheran traditions in which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed and venerated by the faithful. Adoration is a sign of devotion to and worship of Christ, who we as Catholics believe is present in Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity under the appearance of the consecrated host. Meditation performed in the presence of the Eucharist outside of Mass is called Eucharistic meditation. As a devotion, Eucharistic adoration, prayer, and meditation are more than merely looking at the Blessed Host but are believed to be a continuation of what was celebrated in the Eucharist. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (# 1377) states that: "The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist." From a theological perspective, the adoration is a form of latria (Latin for internal adoration) based on the belief of the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Host promoted in the 11th century by Pope Gregory VII. 

The Franciscan archives credit Saint Francis of Assisi (who died in 1226) for starting Eucharistic Adoration in Italy. This process then spread from the region of Umbria to other parts of Italy by the Franciscans. Francis had a deep devotion to the Eucharist and Saint Bonaventure commented that Francis would be swept in ecstasy after receiving Communion. For Francis, the adoration of the Eucharist amounted to "seeing Christ". This type of devotion has been practiced by saints such as Peter Julian Eymard, John Vianney and Thérèse of Lisieux.  When the exposure and adoration of the Eucharist is constant (twenty-four hours a day), it is called Perpetual Adoration. Holy hours are the Roman Catholic devotional tradition of spending an hour in Eucharistic Adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

Official Catholic teachings consider the exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament an important practice which "stimulates the faithful to an awareness of the marvelous presence of Christ and is an invitation to spiritual communion with Him." This importance is further emphasized by the fact that the Church has a ritual that regulates it: the Rite of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction. This is an extension of the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which occurs in every Mass: "Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb." 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.  While psalms, readings and devotional music may be performed during Eucharistic adoration, in many Roman Catholic churches this is not always done, and silent contemplation and reflection is the focus of adoration. Some important prayers that are used during this rite include the Anima Christi and the Tantum Ergo. Pope John Paul II would spend many hours in silent Eucharistic adoration and stated that the practice provides contact with the "very wellspring of grace."

Eucharistic Adoration is available here at St. Leonard’s in the Divine Mercy Chapel on Wednesday’s from 12:30 to 9:30 PM. All are welcome