The Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel at Saint Joseph’s Church in Greenwich Village is scheduled to open at the end of this month. In preparation for this sacred happening, our topic for July is adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us:
“Adoration is the first act of the virtue of religion. To adore God is to acknowledge him as God, as the Creator and Savior, the Lord and Master of everything that exists, as infinite and merciful Love. ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve,’ says Jesus, citing Deuteronomy” (CCC 2096).
“Adorationis the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil. Adoration is homage of the spirit to the ‘King of Glory,’ respectful silence in the presence of the ‘ever greater’ God. Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our supplications” (CCC 2628).
Jesus reveals: “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day” (John 6:40). Eucharistic Adoration is the practice of reverent devotion to and worship of the Blessed Sacrament, which is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Pope Saint John Paul II, known as the Pope of the Real Presence, reminds us: “The Eucharist, in the Mass and outside of the Mass, is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and is therefore deserving of the worship that is given to the living God, and to Him alone.”
When we are in the presence of the Eucharist, we are in the presence of God. Saint John Chrysostom describes: “This fountain is a fountain of light, shedding abundant rays of truth. And beside it the angelic powers from on high have taken their stand, gazing on the beauty of its streams, since they perceive more clearly than we the power of what lies before us and its unapproachable dazzling rays.”
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament dates back to the early centuries of Christianity when the Eucharist was reserved to share with those who were sick or imprisoned for their faith. Monastic communities later engaged in what was known as “continuous praise.” Over time, as the laity trended away from receiving Holy Communion due to strict rules and perception of unworthiness, genuflecting before and gazing at the Host became common signs of veneration. The declaration of the doctrine of transubstantiation during the Middle Ages spurred an increase in Eucharistic piety. Of particular note in the thirteenth century, Pope Urban IV instituted the feast of Corpus Christi. He commissioned Saint Thomas Aquinas to compose three of the hymns we continue to sing today–each best known by their last two verses: “O Salutaris Hostia,” “Tantum Ergo Sacramentum,” and “Panis Angelicus.” Processions and other Eucharistic celebrations became popular during this period. Following the Second Vatican Council, these devotions remain an essential aspect of Catholic spirituality.
“Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament,” writes J.R.R. Tolkien. “There you will find romance, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves upon earth.” Saint Thomas Aquinas refers to the Eucharist as “the sacrament of love; it signifies love; it produces love.” Pope Saint John Paul II observes: “In the Mass and in Eucharistic Adoration we meet the merciful love of God that passes through the Heart of Jesus Christ.” Saint Alphonsus Liguori explains:
“Loving souls can find no greater delight than to be in the company of those whom they love. If, then, we love Jesus Christ much, behold, we are now in His presence. Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament sees us and hears us; shall we, then, say nothing to Him? Let us console ourselves in His company; let us rejoice in His glory, and in the love which so many enamored souls bear Him in the most holy Sacrament. Let us desire that all should love Jesus in the holy Sacrament and consecrate their hearts to Him.”
Saint Peter of Alcantara expounds, “Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament has His hands full of graces, and He is ready to bestow them on anyone who asks for them.” Blessed Henry Suso advises, “Nowhere does Jesus hear our prayers more readily than in the Blessed Sacrament.” The Code of Canon Law acknowledges the importance of Eucharistic adoration and dictates provisions be made for the faithful:
“The Christian faithful are to hold the Most Holy Eucharist in highest honor, taking an active part in the celebration of the most august sacrifice, receiving this sacrament most devoutly and frequently, and worshiping it with the highest adoration” (Canon 898).
“Unless there is a grave reason to the contrary, the church in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved is to be open to the faithful for at least some hours every day so that they can pray before the Most Blessed Sacrament” (Canon 937).
Saint Alphonsus Liguori says, “You may be sure that of all the moments in your life, the time you spend before the divine Sacrament will be that which will give you more strength during life and more consolation at the hour of your death and during eternity.” We can visit our Lord at any Catholic church by looking for the lighted sanctuary lamp (generally red) near the tabernacle. The Catechism of the Catholic Church recounts:
“The tabernacle was first intended for the reservation of the Eucharist in a worthy place so that it could be brought to the sick and those absent outside of Mass. As faith in the real presence of Christ in his Eucharist deepened, the Church became conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Lord present under the Eucharistic species. It is for this reason that the tabernacle should be located in an especially worthy place in the church and should be constructed in such a way that it emphasizes and manifests the truth of the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament” (CCC 1379).
“If we really loved the good God, we would make it our joy and happiness to come and spend a few moments to adore Him, and ask Him for the grace of forgiveness; and we would regard those moments as the happiest of our lives” states Saint John Vianney. “I throw myself at the foot of the Tabernacle like a dog at the foot of his Master.”
Saint Charles de Foucauld contemplates, “O Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. You give us solace and refuge; You give us faith, hope, and hospitality. You build for us an inner retreat, an ardent repose. Help us to seek You and find You.”
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament involves displaying the Eucharistic Host in a monstrance (or ciborium) on the altar so that everyone can see and pray in the intimate presence of Jesus Christ. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacrament mandates that during this practice, Jesus should never be abandoned, and it is customary for at least two adorers to be present (Redemptionis Sacramentum, 138). While the Eucharist is exposed for a limited period of time during Holy Hour, perpetual adoration commonly refers to extended adoration throughout the day and night on a continuous basis.
This month, our “Weekly Challenge” section will discuss five compelling reasons to become an adorer. Blessed Dina Belanger muses:
“If souls but understood the treasure they possess in the divine Eucharist, it would be necessary to encircle the tabernacles with the strongest ramparts, for–in the delirium of a devouring holy hunger–they would press forward themselves to feed on the Bread of Angels. The churches would overflow with adorers consumed with love for the divine Person no less by night than by day.”
Please share your hopes for Manhattan’s first and only perpetual adoration chapel and the blessings you experience from adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Reflect upon this information as you pray for the success of the chapel and prayerfully consider scheduling time for adoration.
