Taking time out of our busy schedules for prayer is essential. We can pray at home, in the car, outdoors, or at one of our parishes. A special place to pray is in front of our Lord during Eucharistic Adoration. We have the opportunity to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Patrick’s on Wednesdays from 2 to 7:45 p.m. and on the First Friday of every month, during the school year, following 8 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 7:45 p.m. All the school students see Jesus sometime during the school day. During the summer, First Friday Adoration takes place from 2 p.m. until Benediction at 7:45 p.m.
Andrea Lawson, who works with Belen Hamacher to coordinate this ministry, has been blown away by Eucharistic Adoration’s impact on her life.
“Coming to Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration has had a profound impact on me,” she says. “On a spiritual level, over time, the knowledge that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, in person, has become a very strong realization in my soul. It is an overwhelming and humbling realization.”
Eucharistic Adoration started at St. Patrick’s nearly 20 years ago, but the wheels were turning long before that. Daisy Gonzales-Benito, who joined St. Patrick’s in the late 1990s, had grown up in a devout Filipino family and lived in Lourdes, France, for two years. She asked Fr. David Cox — now Msgr. Cox — to start Eucharistic Adoration at the parish, along with a Corpus Christi procession. Fr. Cox started Eucharistic Adoration in 2004, with the first Corpus Christi procession in 2005.
Andrea is so thankful for the gift of Eucharistic Adoration. It has given her so much peace.
“I know He loves me, no matter what, and is with me always,” she says. “Although I have ongoing tribulations, I seek His continued mercy and guidance. I trust in His perfect timing, even in my impatience.”
When Jesus is exposed in the monstrance during adoration, he must never be left alone. A committed group of scheduled adorers make sure of that. People can certainly visit Jesus at any time during Eucharistic Adoration, but everyone should consider taking an hour and being committed.
“A Holy Hour is our time to be alert and stay with Jesus,” Andrea says. “The saints and the fathers of the Church spent countless hours before Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration. Although any time in His presence has infinite, eternal value, an hour gives us time to settle down and repose in deep, contemplative prayer.”
You can spend your time talking to Jesus, praying a Rosary, reading the Bible or a religious book, or listening to music.
Andrea says that as we consider the importance of Eucharistic Adoration, we can look to the words of St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
“The Church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic worship,” said St. John Paul II. “Jesus waits for us in this sacrament of love. Let us be generous with our time in going to meet Him in adoration and in contemplation that is full of faith and ready to make reparation for the great faults and crimes of the world. May our adoration never cease.”
“In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host,” said Pope Benedict XVI. “Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering.”
Eucharistic Adoration Opportunities
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Rolla
Wednesdays — Exposition at 2 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Benediction
First Fridays of every month (during school year) — Exposition following 8 a.m. Mass to 7:45 p.m. Benediction
First Fridays of every month (during summer) — Exposition at 2 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Benediction
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, St. James
Wednesdays — Exposition and adoration at 4 p.m., followed by Communion service at 4:30 p.m.
Rolla Newman Center
Mondays and Tuesdays — 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
To learn more about becoming a committed adorer, contact Andrea Lawson at 314-537-5127 or lawandrea45@gmail.com.