What is the Eucharist?
The Eucharist is the sacrament that Jesus estab- lished when he took bread and wine, blessed them, and declared them to be his body and blood (see Luke 22:17-20). He commanded his disciples to “Do this in memory of me.” He had earlier fore- told that his presence in the Eucharist would be real and substantial: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever ... Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink” (John 6:51, 54-55). When a Catholic priest follows this command of Jesus and offers the words of consecration, the bread and wine are permanently changed, and they become Jesus: his body, blood, soul, and divinity. [CCC 1373-1376, 1406, 1410, 1412-1413]
How long is Jesus present in the sacra- ment of the Eucharist?
Jesus is present in the sacrament permanently. His presence is abiding, not something that vanishes at the conclusion of Mass. The hosts remaining after Communion are kept in a special place of honor called the tabernacle. [CCC 1377, 1379]
Why is the Blessed Sacrament reserved in a tabernacle?
The tabernacle was first intended for the reserva- tion of the Eucharist in a worthy place so that it could be brought to the sick and those absent from the Mass. As faith in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist deepened, the Church became more conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Lord under the Eucharistic species.
What is the relationship of Eucharistic adoration to the Mass?
The celebration of the Mass is the origin and pur- pose of the worship shown to the Eucharist outside the Mass. Eucharistic adoration extends Holy Communion in a lasting way even as it prepares the faithful to participate more fully in the celebra- tion of the Mass. It leads us to acknowledge Christ’s marvelous presence in the sacrament and invites us to deeper spiritual union with him in the reception of Holy Communion.
What is the importance of Eucharistic adoration?
Eucharistic adoration is the respect and worship we give to Jesus, who is truly present to us under the appearance of bread and wine. The Eucharist is a priceless treasure; by not only celebrating it but also by praying before it outside of Mass we are enabled to make contact with the very well- spring of grace. As St. Alphonsus Liguori noted, “of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacra- ments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us.” [CCC 1418]
What forms does this adoration take?
We show our adoration in many ways. The most intimate form of adoration is Holy Communion, when we receive Jesus’ body into our own. The most common and ordinary way we adore Jesus is by genuflecting - that is, kneeling briefly on one knee - whenever we pass the tabernacle in a church (see Philippians 2:10). Outside the Mass, the Church gives us further opportunities to wor- ship Jesus. We may visit him at the tabernacle. And we may adore him when the Sacrament is brought out from the tabernacle for public worship. This is commonly called “exposition.” [CCC 1378]
What is exposition of the Blessed Sacrament?
Exposition is the placement of the sacred host outside the tabernacle for public adoration. This can take many forms. The simplest form is the opening of the tabernacle doors. Another form is the removal of the sacred vessels from the tabernacle for a more promi- nent and visible placement. The Church also permits a “full” exposition, when the sacred host is clearly vis- ible in a vessel called a “monstrance.”
What is the purpose of exposition of the Blessed Sacrament?
There are three purposes of Eucharistic exposition: (1) to acknowledge Christ’s marvelous presence in the sacrament; (2) to lead us to a fuller participa- tion in the celebration of the Eucharist, culminat- ing in Holy Communion; and (3) to foster the wor- ship which is due to Christ in spirit and in truth.
What conditions are necessary for proper exposition of the sacrament?
The sponsors of this devotion should make sure that a suitable number of worshippers are present during the entire time of exposition. The Church also asks us to light four to six candles around the sacrament, and permits us to use incense. The Blessed Sacrament may never be left exposed without at least one worshipper present.
What is Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament?
Benediction is a rite in which a priest or deacon pronounces a blessing over those who are present for Eucharistic adoration. As he gives the blessing, he elevates the monstrance or other vessel that con- tains the sacred host. Benediction normally follows a period of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, just prior to its reposition into the Tabernacle.
What are the fruits of Eucharistic adoration?
People who observe Eucharistic adoration experi- ence a deeper devotion to Jesus, and this manifests itself in countless ways. The primary fruits are repentance and conversion which lead to increased charity - that is, the love of Christ alive in his people. The adoration of Jesus in the Eucharist also leads to greater reverence at Mass, a deeper desire for personal holiness, and a stronger sense of union with the parish and the whole Church. Ever since the early centuries of Christianity, the Church has linked Eucharistic devotion to service to the poor. More recently, the practice has lead to an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.
How long have Christians practiced Eucharistic adoration?
Christians have adored the Eucharist as long as the Church has celebrated the Eucharist - that is, from the time of the Apostles. The earliest texts that speak of the Mass are probably older than some of the New Testament books. In every generation since the generation of the Apostles, the Church Fathers wrote about Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist. In the second, third, and fourth cen- turies, Christians in lands as far-flung as Italy, Egypt, North Africa, and Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey) testify to the special care given to the Eucharist that was reserved for the sick and home- bound.
What is proper etiquette during Eucharistic adoration?
When we are not taking part in vocal prayers and hymns with other adorers, we should be praying silently. Whenever we pass before the place where the sacred host is reserved, we should gen- uflect. We should observe the modest dress and decorum that are appropriate to very solemn occa- sions. We should avoid any actions that might dis- turb or distract others or draw attention to ourselves rather than Jesus.
How should we pray during Eucharistic adoration?
There are many ways to pray. We may meditate silently by gazing on the sacred host. We may silently speak to Jesus from our mind and heart. We may also rely on devotions and prayers from Catholic tradition, such as the reading of Scripture, recitation of the rosary, or the litanies. When two or more are gathered before the Sacrament, they may pray or sing hymns together.
What is the best way to promote Eucharistic adoration?
The best way to promote Eucharistic adoration is by doing it! Make frequent visits to Jesus at the tab- ernacle. Invite your spouse, your children, your neighbors, and co-workers to join you. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, “Because Christ himself is present in the sacrament of the altar, He is to be honored with the worship of adoration. “To visit the Blessed Sacrament is...a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a duty of adoration toward Christ our Lord”(CCC 1418).
Message from Bishop David A. Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh
My dear friends:
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Church’s life and ministry. Fostering devotion to the Eucharist among the faithful is a priority and will bear much fruit. As Pope Benedict XVI expressed so beautifully in The Sacrament of Charity, “The personal relation- ship which the individual believer establishes with Jesus present in the Eucharist constantly points beyond itself to the whole communion of the Church and nourishes a fuller sense of membership in the Body of Christ.”
One of the major challenges which we face in the Church is renewing a sense of vocation. God calls; we respond. Each one of us is called by God for a particular life’s work. But all of us share in the fundamental call to holiness of life, to service in the name of Jesus Christ.
I invite each of you to join with me in a program of renewed eucharistic devotion. Place yourself before the presence of Jesus in the Eucharistic species. As we offer our praise and adoration to our God, let us pray especially for more vibrant and life-giving vocations. We are called to be examples of faith in our own voca- tion, whether married life, single life, ordained life or a consecrated life. And together we lift our prayers in the presence of Jesus for more vocations to the priest- hood, in service to God’s holy Church.
Grateful for our belief that “Nothing is Impossible with God,” I am Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend David A. Zubik Bishop of Pittsburgh
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This text was taken from What is Eucharistic Adoration?, a publication of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.