Eucharistic Adoration explained

Intermountain Catholic

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IC photo/Jenn Sparks

SALT LAKE CITY — Eucharistic adoration is prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, whether or not the Eucharist is exposed.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is usually characterized by silent prayer and may be done by individuals whose prayer can take many forms, from reciting the rosary to contemplation of the mystery of Christ present in the Eucharist.

"You can do any type of prayer you want," said Monsignor Francis Mannion, pastor emeritus of Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Salt Lake City.

One type of adoration, Eucharistic exposition, is the ritual by which the Blessed Sacrament is displayed outside the tabernacle in a monstrance or ciborium for public veneration by the faithful. It is a public celebration; the rite is proscribed by the Catholic Church and includes songs, prayers and readings "to direct the attention of the faithful to the worship of Christ the Lord," according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Venerable Fulton Sheen promoted meditative prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament. "We become like that which we gaze upon," he wrote. "Looking into a sunset the face takes on a golden glow. Looking at the Eucharistic Lord for an hour transforms the heart in a mysterious way."

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta agreed. "The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time that you will spend on earth," she said.