In Eucharistic Adoration, we are invited to spend time in prayer before the real presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.
In looking upon Christ in adoration, “we say, ‘yes, Love exists and because it exists things can change for the better and we can hope’” ( Benedict XVI Angelus, Corpus Christi, 2009).

In this Lenten Season, let’s make occasions for prayer, for ourselves or with our family, for some moments or for a full Holy Hour.

In the Holy Hour of Adoration with Benediction, we are united with Christ’s presence in a special way.  Christ Himself blesses us through his risen Body.  

At the beginning of the Holy Hour, the celebrant approaches the tabernacle, where we reserve the consecrated Host with appropriate dignity.  We all kneel in reverence.

The Host is then exposed for our adoration in presence and prayer. The Host, the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, is exposed in a ‘monstrance,’ which is from the Latin word ‘to show.’  It is elevated over the altar, as it is during the consecration in the Eucharistic celebration.

With the real, substantial presence of our Lord Jesus Christ elevated before us, we may continue to kneel or sit in prayer and adoration.

Near the end of the hour of adoration, the celebrant will again approach the altar wearing a cope and a humeral veil, vestments to separate themselves from the act of blessing in the Benediction, the elevation of the monstrance with the Most Blessed Sacrament.  It is not the celebrant blessing us; it is Christ Himself, in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, giving us His Blessing.

Finally, the Divine Praises are offered, revering our God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - along with our Blessed Mother, Saint Joseph her most chaste spouse, and again praising God in His angels and in His saints.

Watch a video on prayer and Adoration on Formed.org, free through our parish subscription.

For our younger faithful, Life Teen offers a beginner’s guide to Adoration.