What is Eucharistic Adoration?

Eucharistic adoration is the act of worshiping God as He is present in the consecrated Eucharist. Since the Last Supper, when Jesus broke the bread and distributed the wine, saying, “This is my Body, ” and “This is my Blood,” Catholics have believed that the bread and wine are no longer merely baked wheat and fermented grape juice, but the actual living presence of the Second Person of the Trinity. Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament, in prayer and devotion, is exactly the same as spending time before the living God. Adoration occurs whenever someone kneels in front of the tabernacle that contains the Blessed Sacrament, genuflects toward the tabernacle, bows before receiving the Blessed Sacrament at Mass, or, in a more focused way, when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration. 

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

The devotion begins with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. A priest or deacon removes the sacred host from the tabernacle and places it on the altar for adoration. The purpose of adoration is to highlight the presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist. When a consecrated host is placed in the monstrance, it is said to be a solemn exposition. Adoration ceremonies traditionally include Scripture readings, hymns, prayers, and time for silent adoration.

Eucharistic Adoration at Holy Rosary

Holy Rosary Parish is blessed to have a beautiful prayer space: Nativity Chapel.
Parishioners pray in Eucharistic Adoration five days a week in that chapel.

What is Eucharistic Adoration and how does one pray before the Eucharist?

There are four kinds of prayer most appropriate in the presence of the Eucharist, namely adoration and praise, thanksgiving, repentance and trusting intercession.
Here are ideas for incorporating these:

• Meditating on the Scripture by choosing a passage from the Bible: Pay attention to what strikes you and ask God to lead you deeper into a message meant for you
• Meditating on the Scripture for the following Sunday or that day itself
• Pouring out your heart to Jesus and speaking from your heart about all that comes to your mind. Listening for His response is even more important!
• Asking for forgiveness for the times you neglected or hurt someone. Pray for their needs
• Praying the Rosary or another devotion (e.g. the Stations, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Liturgy of the Hours)
• Sitting quietly and just “being” in the presence of God
• Interceding in prayer for your parish, the church, our world, specific concerns of family and friends, government leaders, those wounded and broken through the many forms of abuse
• Thanking God for life, love, laughter, creation, your family, the many gifts you’ve received from God and more
• Praising God the Creator for the beauty of the sunset, a child, a happy marriage, etc.