Today is first Friday and at Catholic Churches across the world, most parishes hold Eucharistic Adoration and a Benediction. Adoration is simply yet marvelously the public worship of Jesus Christ, exposed on the altar, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity for all to gaze upon, to worship, pray and adore. Of course, this can be done at any Catholic Church in front of the Tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament reposed and not exposed.
More and more parishes are offering perpetual Adoration in specially built chapels. Where this is widespread, the faith grows and conversions occur and fallen away Catholics return. Praise God!
Today was a special day for Eucharistic Adoration as a special effort was made to involve school children in this traditional devotion. The effort today was international in scope. Our own Archbishop, Gregory Aymond, led over 4,000 children at the Basilica in Washington, D.C. in a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. The event was telecast to 40 nations and all across America. It was broadcast into the classrooms of hundreds if not thousands of Catholic Schools. What an effort! What a blessing to expose children to the Eucharistic Jesus and explain His real Presence.
Tonight, I was able, through my office as a Permanent Deacon, to lead our closing hour that concludes with Benediction. Benediction is when the Blessed Sacrament, contained in a monstrance, is used to bless the congregation. It is our Eucharistic Lord Himself who blesses! Wow!
Ask your local parish what they do to provide Eucharistic Adoration for the faithful and for those being called to "come home". And find out how close the nearest 24 hour Adoration Chapel is to your local community.
Get involved in Eucharistic Adoration; oh come let us Adore Him!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment