'Do you realise that Jesus is there in the tabernacle expressly for you - for you alone? He burns with the desire to come into your heart...'
- St Therese of Lisieux
What is Adoration?
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Adoration is the worship of Jesus - His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity being really, truly and substantially present in the Eucharist, that Blessed Sacrament of the altar. A Host which has already been consecrated during Mass is brought from the tabernacle and exposed in a vessel called a monstrance for us to adore.
Adoration is available in the Chaplaincy every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 pm. On Thursdays, Adoration concludes with Benediction at 6:45 pm. Whilst Adoration is particularly special when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the monstrance, you can also visit Jesus in the Eucharist at any time wherever the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the tabernacle. |
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What happens during Adoration?
The Rite of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction begins with the Host exposed in the monstrance on the altar. The congregation will kneel at this point in recognition that Jesus is really, truly and substantially present in His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in that Host. The congregation then sings the hymn 'O salutaris Hostia', followed by 15-20 minutes of silent adoration.
Some suggestions for this time of Adoration could be:
It can also be a good idea to bring a specific intention in your heart and to dedicate some of your time of Adoration in supplication for that request.
At the end of the period of Adoration, the priest will kneel in front of the altar again (the congregation also kneels at this point) and sing the hymn 'Tantum Ergo Sacramentum'. The priest then raises the monstrance, with the Host enthroned within, and makes the sign of the cross over the congregation. The priest will then repose the Host as the congregation sing the hymn 'Adoremus In Aeternum'.
Some suggestions for this time of Adoration could be:
- Pray quietly in your own words, to Jesus who is present with you.
- Listen and wait for the Lord to speak to you in whichever way he chooses.
- Pray the Rosary or other similar devotion.
- Pray the Divine Office.
- Lectio Divina - or prayerful reading of the Bible.
- Read a spiritual book (for example, a life of a saint), asking Jesus to read it with you and explain it to you.
- Contemplate in silence upon an event in the life of Jesus, or on an aspect of His teaching
It can also be a good idea to bring a specific intention in your heart and to dedicate some of your time of Adoration in supplication for that request.
At the end of the period of Adoration, the priest will kneel in front of the altar again (the congregation also kneels at this point) and sing the hymn 'Tantum Ergo Sacramentum'. The priest then raises the monstrance, with the Host enthroned within, and makes the sign of the cross over the congregation. The priest will then repose the Host as the congregation sing the hymn 'Adoremus In Aeternum'.
Adoremus in aeternum sanctissimum Sacramentum
