Chapel Administrators Bob Scharen 471 - 0278 Pat Thompson 615 - 9088 Dr Vatsala Gopinathan 671 - 8887

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Perpetual Adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist

Perpetual Adoration is a Eucharistic devotion where members of the parish unite in taking hours of adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament, both during the day and throughout the night, seven days a week.

Why is exposition in the monstrance preferred?
To see Jesus visibly present under the appearance of the small white host is much more conducive to intimacy than hidden away in the tabernacle. Moreover, it adds an extra responsibility on the adorers to be sure to be faithful to the hours they are scheduled, since the suggested norm for having Jesus exposed in the monstrance is that there should be at least two adorers present, and He must never be left alone. Could not these words of our Lord be applied today: "Indeed, this is the will of my heavenly Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son, and believes in Him, shall have eternal life. Him I will raise up on the last day."

What are some good reasons for establishing Perpetual Adoration?
To provide an easy, attractive, and practical way of rendering God adoration which is His due as our Creator, of giving Him thanks for our redemption, of making reparation for our sins and the sins of mankind; of petitioning the good God for the constant help we need. To show our gratitude to our Lord for remaining among us in our tabernacles, and to make at least some atonement for the many sacrileges, indifferences, and ingratitude which He receives in His Sacrament of Love.

What spiritual benefits and graces can be attributed to the establishment of a parish Perpetual Adoration program?
• an increase in Mass attendance and reception of the sacraments;
• return of fallen-away Catholics and increase in the number of conversions;
• increase in religious and priestly vocations;
• renewal of Catholic family life;
• spiritual level of the people is raised with a resulting desire and courage to spread the "good news" to others;
• a greater community spirit, centered as it is on the heart of the parish, Jesus' presence in the Blessed Sacrament.

In May 1997, parishioners at St. Mary Church began adoring Jesus in the Holy Eucharist 7 days a week – 24 hours a day. This devotion has continued to this day! The parish and those who participate have received numerous blessings from spending time with Jesus.

“What will … save the world?”
When asked this question, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta responded, “My answer is prayer. What we need is for every Parish to come before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in Holy Hours of prayer.” “The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament … will help bring about an everlasting peace on earth.”

WHAT IS EUCHARISTIC ADORATION?
Eucharistic Adoration is the act of worshipping God as He is present in the Blessed Sacrament (consecrated Eucharist). Since the Last Supper, when Jesus broke bread and shared wine with His disciples and said “This is my Body” and “This is my Blood,” Catholics have believed that this bread and wine are the Body and Blood of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, Jesus Christ. Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament is time spent before our Heavenly God. Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is continuous exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for the purpose of uninterrupted adoration, twenty-four hours a day – seven days a week. Jesus welcomes everyone to visit and spend time with Him regularly.

HISTORY OF PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Although the Real Presence of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ is recognized in the consecrated bread and wine since the time of the apostles, evidence shows that Perpetual Adoration may have begun in the sixth century in the Cathedral of Lugo, Spain. By the twelfth century, Saint Thomas Becket is known to have prayed for England’s King Henry II before the “majesty of the Body of Christ,” and by the sixteenth century the devotion known as forty hours had developed. In the nineteenth century Perpetual Adoration developed in communities of contemplative nuns in France. This devotion has spread to parishes throughout the world.

“Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the Sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us.” Saint Alphonsus Liguori
“Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is … an important daily practice and becomes an inexhaustible source of holiness …It is pleasant to spend time with (Jesus), to lie close to His breast like the Beloved Disciple and to feel the infinite love present in His heart.” Pope John Paul II

DIVISION LEADERS / HOUR COORDINATORS

DIVISION LEADER: Tom Lee 495 - 7650

DIVISION LEADER: Tess Jordon 671 - 6566

DIVISION LEADER: Ron Finnegan (Mary) 615 - 0510

DIVISION LEADER: Joe Cinko 787 - 4661