Eucharistic Adoration

What is the Eucharist? During the consecration at Mass, the priest speaks these words as he holds the Communion host, "...He took bread and gave you thanks. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this all of you, and eat it: this is my body which will be given up for you." When the priest says, "this is my body",  it is at that instant when, through the miracle of transubstantiation, the bread and wine which we offer as the bloodless sacrifice of our Lord truly become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus. The Eucharist is not a symbol of Jesus; it is His True Presence in the form of bread and wine. It is Christ.
 

The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship.
Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love.
Let us not refuse the time to go to meet Him in adoration,
in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends
for the serious offenses and crimes of the world.
Let our adoration never cease.
Catechism Catholic Church 1380

What is Eucharistic Adoration? Eucharistic Adoration is an expression of faith, love, and veneration for Christ truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, the Eucharist. We worship the Eucharist at Mass and when the Eucharist is inside the tabernacle (an ornate box which holds any consecrated hosts). We can also have Eucharistic adoration outside of the Mass and the tabernacle when the priest takes a consecrated host, such as the one described above, and places it into a monstance. Monstrance comes from the Latin monstrare, meaning to show or to expose to view. The monstrance is then placed in front of the tabernacle or on the altar of the church or chapel for adoration. We adore, praise, and worship the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the monstrance. At St. Theresa, we are blessed to have Perpetual Adoration, which means the Blessed Sacrament is present in the monstrance 24/7.

A monstrance with the consecrated host (Eucharist) inside

What do I do during Adoration? This is your time alone with Jesus. Pray your favorite prayers or Psalms; read the Bible or meditate on your favorite Scriptures; contemplate acts of faith, hope, and/or charity; spend time giving thanks; ask for forgiveness for sins; intercede for others; pray a Rosary or other devotion that suits you before Our Lord; or just sit in silence, simply listening and keeping Him company, just as you would with a dear friend.
 

I encourage Christians regulary to visit
Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament,
for we are all called to abide in the presence of God.  
In contemplation, Christians will perceive ever more profoundly
the mystery at the heart of the Christian life.
Pope St. John Paul II

Prayer of Adoration of the Eucharist

My Lord Jesus Christ, I adore you in all the tabernacles of the world. I offer you my life in reparation for the sins against the Blessed Sacrament, the unworthy communions, disrespect, lack of reverence in your churches, and countless other sins against your most Holy Body and Blood. Please, my Lord, increase my faith in your Eucharistic presence so that my devotion may be fanned into a flame of love for you and that I may go into the world to proclaim your kingdom. I ask this of your mercy in your Holy Name. Amen.

Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, pray for us!

12 Reasons from the Teachings of the Church
for Wanting to Spend One Hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
PDF

48 Things to Do during Adoration
PDF

We have a dedicated group of adorers committed to spending scheduled time in the presence of Our Lord. You may sign up to be an "adorer" or "hourly guard" which allows you to schedule yourself for one or more hours per week to pray before the very presence of Our Lord, exposed in the monstrance. 

If you are being called to be part of this group, please CLICK HERE or contact Emmie Turner, coordinator of hourly guards, directly at turneremmie@yahoo.com.