Introduction
"The world must not be deprived
of the gentle and liberating presence
of Christ living in the Eucharist!" John Paul II
Most parishes throughout the world have had to either partially or completely close their chapels of perpetual adoration during the Coronavirus crisis, and even when chapels are open some adorers can’t come. This raises concerns in all of us about whether adorers could lose their commitment due to such a prolonged period without this encounter with Jesus each week, and if this happens, will we be able to sustain perpetual adoration in the long term!
The deep concern is for the adorers themselves, that they not lose this intimate contact with Jesus and all the graces that fill their life, as well as the graces that go out to touch the whole world. This concern embraces ALL adorers: those on the schedule as well as the many who visit the chapel every day. Helping adorers through these difficult times is the great challenge coordinators in chapels all over the world are facing right now.
The purpose of this material is to provide all those who have worked so hard for perpetual adoration with resources to help sustain peoples commitment during this difficult time and to ensure that perpetual adoration is able to continue - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - after restrictions are lifted.
The material you will find here is a collection of both Audio and Text with suggestions on how to best use them. This material explains the value and importance of a quiet holy hour once a week and the great power of perpetual adoration with the aim of helping adorers rediscover the reason for their commitment, giving them the motivation to continue with their hour. This resource is designed to give a complete renewal of perpetual adoration.
The Church emphasises the importance of Eucharistic adoration united to the Mass: “To live the Eucharist it is necessary to spend much time in adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament.” (John Paul II).1 In this context an invitation to participate in this renewal could be extended to every member of the parish with the end in view of them choosing an hour each week in the chapel. Pope Francis’ appeal for Eucharistic adoration while the world was in the grip of the pandemic gives us all the motivation we need. “The Mass is the treasure that should be foremost both in the Church and in our lives. And let us also rediscover Eucharistic adoration, which continues the work of the Mass within us. This will do us much good, for it heals us within. Especially now, when our need is so great.“ (Pope Francis: June 14, 2020)2
In order to begin perpetual adoration most parishes throughout the world invited a missionary to come and help them. Periodically when they felt a need for adorers to be inspired again, and to find new adorers, they invited a missionary to return and give a renewal. This may not be possible now because of the large amount of parishes all needing help at the same time, therefore, these materials are provided to assist parishes in giving a self-renewal. Understanding that many parishes will never have done this before this guide is included.
“Let us ask Our Lady
to help us rediscover
the beauty of the Eucharist,
to make it the centre of our life,
especially at Sunday Mass
and in adoration.” Pope Francis3