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Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration has returned to Holy Trinity, offering parishioners hours each week to pray before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
Adoration begins following the 9:30 a.m. Mass and continues until 9 p.m. Parishioners may stop in briefly at any time, but they are also invited to make a deeper commitment: one regular hour with Jesus each week.
The idea of a Holy Hour comes directly from the Gospel. In the Garden of Gethsemane, as His Passion approached, Jesus asked Peter, James and John to remain with Him while He prayed. When He found them asleep,
He said: “Could you not watch with me one hour?”
Matthew 26:40.
Christ’s invitation continues to speak to Catholics today. An hour can sound like a long time in an already crowded week. Yet people who begin making a weekly Holy Hour often describe it as the hour they did not realize they needed. They speak about finding peace during painful or uncertain periods. They describe receiving clarity about difficult decisions, learning to listen instead of filling every silence with words and developing a more personal relationship with Christ.
The hour does not necessarily change the circumstances waiting outside the church. It can change the person who walks back out to face them.
During Adoration, a consecrated Host is placed in a monstrance on the altar.
Catholics believe that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. The worship offered before the Blessed Sacrament is therefore directed to Christ Himself. The formal practice of exposing the Eucharist for extended Adoration developed over the centuries, but its foundations are rooted in Scripture.
Throughout the Old Testament, God’s people are called to enter His presence with reverence:
“Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us.”
Psalm 95:6
In the New Testament, people offer that worship to Jesus. The Magi prostrate themselves before the infant Christ. After Jesus walks on water and calms the storm, the disciples worship Him and declare, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” Following the Resurrection, the women take hold of His feet and worship Him.
The foundation for Eucharistic Adoration is found most directly in Christ’s words at the Last Supper:
“This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.”
Luke 22:19
Jesus also tells His followers in the Bread of Life discourse:
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
John 6:51
Because the Eucharist is Christ, Catholics adore the Blessed Sacrament just as the disciples adored Jesus during His earthly ministry.
You may pray the Rosary, read Scripture, offer intentions, thank God or ask Jesus for guidance. You may spend part of the hour speaking to Him and part of it listening.
You may also sit silently and simply remain with Him.
Distraction is normal. The silence may initially feel uncomfortable. Prayer does not depend on finding impressive words, feeling a particular emotion or having a dramatic spiritual experience.
The commitment is simply to show up and remain with Jesus.
Parishioners who are not ready to commit to an hour are welcome to begin with 10 or 15 minutes. But those who can commit to a regular hour help ensure that the Blessed Sacrament is never left unattended during Exposition.
Wednesday Adoration is held at Holy Trinity following the 9:30 a.m. Mass until 9 p.m. If you would like to sign up for a regular Adoration hour, please contact the parish office.
Jesus asked His disciples for one hour.
Could you give Him one?
