Adoration – A Beacon of Hope for a Troubled World

I have written about adoration before, but I believe the subject is so important that I will keep writing about it until Jesus is adored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in every Catholic church in the world. Then the Reign of Jesus Christ the Eucharistic King prophesied by Saints and mystics will arrive and the central petition of the Our Father will be fulfilled: “Thy Kingdom come; Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Adoration of our Trinitarian God is the most prized assignment in heaven. To contemplate the Lord continuously is the task of the highest choir of angels, the Seraphim, who know God best. Mark Miravalle, Theologian at Franciscan University of Steubenville, said, "Eucharistic Adoration is the closest thing we can do to imitate the highest level of angels." (1). 

My heart longs to see the Eucharistic Lord humbly adored by us, His creatures because He desires it and deserves it. The Saints promise that doing this will transform the world. I began my commitment to a weekly Holy Hour many years ago after hearing this quote from Pope St. John Paul II: “The best, the surest, and the most effective way of establishing everlasting peace on the face of the earth is through the great power of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.” (2). When I moved, I got inundated with life’s demands and stopped my Holy Hours because adoration was only offered one Friday morning a month at my church. Then I got cancer, stopped working, and read a book about the life of Venerable Consolata Betrone, titled “I Will Think of Everything, You Think Only of Loving Me”. On page 81 of this book, it states: “Mankind’s humble adoration of God with us in the Holy Eucharist will be the weight that crushes the head of satan.” (3). These words jumped off the page and the quote from Pope St. John Paul II came flooding back. I thought to myself, “If Eucharistic Adoration has this much power, why have I stopped doing it? I started making Holy Hours several times a week. Since that time, I’ve read so many other wisdom-filled quotes about adoration that it makes my heart burn and yearn to see this devotion grow. Leaders in the Church, both historical and those still among us, say that Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is a sure remedy for the world’s troubles. I feel as though it is an urgent need in a world that has lost its way, and I hope to spend my life praying before the Eucharistic Jesus and encouraging others to begin the devotional practice of a Holy Hour.  The Encyclopedia of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Quotes is a website with over 1,000 quotes catalogued by the person’s title and last name. Another great source of quotes by Saints about adoration is Benefits of Eucharistic Adoration from the Saints and other Catholic Leaders is LIVE BY FAITH. (currently offline for maintenance). I would love to see Eucharistic Adoration spread like wildfire among the faithful. Maybe it hasn’t because so many have never heard what these wise minds have said. This article is an effort to spread this knowledge, so please share it widely.

First let’s explore what has been said about the Lord’s desire for us to visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament. Next, we’ll look at what has been said about the effects on the individual from spending time with the Lord in Adoration. And finally, let’s examine what effect this practice has on the rest of the world.

The Eucharistic Jesus longs for our companionship. To St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who was given the revelation of the Sacred Heart, Jesus said, “I have a burning thirst to be honored by men (i.e. humanity) in the Blessed Sacrament.” (4). St Jose Maria Escriva, Founder of Opus Dei, said, “Each time you approach the Blessed Sacrament remember that Jesus has been waiting for you for twenty centuries for this personal visit from you.” (4). St Therese of Lisieux said, “Do you realize that Jesus is there in the Blessed Sacrament expressly for you, for you alone? He burns with the desire to come into your heart!” (4) St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “Every Holy Hour we make so pleases the Heart of Jesus that it is recorded in Heaven and retold for all eternity!” (4). Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, “The only time our Lord asked the Apostles for anything was the night He went into agony. Not for activity did He plead but for an Hour of companionship.” (4). This hour of companionship requested by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane is the prototype for our Holy Hour. He wants our companionship as He abides in the Tabernacle or on the altar just as much as He wanted it from His disciples during His passion. If lour adoration pleases the heart of Jesus so much, shouldn’t our hearts burn with desire to make Him happy? If we truly understood the joy our visits bring to the Eucharistic Lord and the torrent of grace He showers upon us and the world through Holy Hours, every Holy Hour offered in our churches would be packed with adorers.

The personal graces offered to us through spending time with the Eucharistic Lord are inestimable. St. Teresa of Calcutta said that “Eucharistic Adoration will make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in Heaven.” (4). St. Alphonsus Ligori said, “Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us.” (4). And St. Padre Pio said that “A thousand years of enjoying human glory is not worth even an hour spent sweetly communing with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.” (5). Our own Pope Francis said, “If Jesus is to become the center of our life, we need to spend time in His presence, before the Tabernacle. (Pope Francis, December 20, 2014 (6).

The graces poured out on our families and world from our Holy Hours are even more incredible. Pope St. John XXIII said, “There is no doubt that a flood of graces will descend upon your family and the world if more souls would become docile pupils of adoration.” (4). Pope St. John Paul II said, “The love of God and neighbor, the greatest commandment, is expressed in and is the fruit of, Eucharistic worship.“ (4). St. Teresa of Calcutta said that “A Holy Hour of adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament opens up the floodgates of God’s merciful Love upon the world.” (4). Pope St. Paul VI said that “Perpetual Adoration extends its influence far beyond the individual adorers, touching their homes and families and reaching out to the parish community and beyond.” (4). St. Maximillian Kolbe said that “Eucharistic Adoration is the greatest power in the universe, capable of transforming us and changing the face of the world.” (7). Several recent Popes have said Eucharistic Adoration is the most important of all devotions outside of the Mass. St. Peter Julian Eymard said, “Eucharistic Adoration is the most necessary mission to the Church, which has even more need of prayerful souls than of powerful preachers or men of eloquence.” (4). Our own Archbishop of Seattle, Paul Etienne, said: “Our church and world benefit greatly from those who give so generously of themselves to spend time with Our Lord before the Blessed Sacrament. Such prayer draws us more deeply into the life of Christ, and then He sends us out into the world once again to recognize His presence in others and be Christ to others. This is a mysterious, grace-filled reality, that conforms us more closely to Christ, and advances God’s kingdom.” (8). And the famous Bishop Robert Barron said, "I think every parish should have, for the next 10 years, round-the-clock Eucharistic Adoration, during which good people pray for the return of the unaffiliated." (Bishop Robert Barron) (1). If we want more engaged and active congregations, a return to the Church of the fallen away, and excited, active, and holy youth and young adults, encourage more adoration. In adoration, the Eucharistic Jesus and He speaks to our hearts. Mother Teresa’s nuns do a Holy Hour every morning before beginning work. If they have a particularly busy day planned, they do 2 hours. Archbishop Fulton Sheen did a Holy Hour every day of his life following his ordination. Just think of how much the world could be renewed if every Catholic spent an hour with the Lord in adoration each week! St. Teresa of Calcutta said that the vocations to the Sisters of Charity doubled after beginning daily Holy Hours. (9)

The Eucharistic Jesus is the lifeline of grace through which peace and love will reign in our world- a widespread commitment of Catholics to adoration could help change the course of our future. The King of the universe, Jesus Christ, humbly disguises Himself as a tiny host to become for us the bread of life; the living bread which comes down from heaven (John 6:48-51). We, His children, should imitate His sublime humility, and worship Him as He desires, as the One who comes to be with us as our living food. He has been with us in this hidden form for over 2,000 years, longing for us to visit Him and unite our hearts to His.

The interior peace that fills my heart during precious hours spent in adoration is priceless. For many years, I spent my lunch hour on Fridays in adoration, and it was the most cherished hour of my busy work week. I believe my time in adoration is what gave me the patience and grace I needed to raise my two energetic sons after a painful divorce (my ex-husband was still a part of their lives but traveled a lot). Receiving the Eucharist at Mass is Jesus giving us His heart. Adoration is like pressing your heart up against the Sacred Heart of Jesus and gazing into His loving eyes like St. John did at the Last Supper.

I’m looking forward to attending the National Eucharistic Congress July 17-21st in Indianapolis. It is the first NEC since 1938 and tens of thousands are expected to attend. We’re also in the second year of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s (USCCB) Eucharistic Revival, a 3-year effort to help Catholics develop a deeper relationship with the Eucharistic Lord. To help the Revival take root in our hearts and produce fruit, perhaps those who already make a Holy Hour each week could make additional visits to the Lord whenever possible. For those who don’t currently make a Holy Hour regularly, why not make a commitment to spend an hour each week outside of Mass with the Lord? Do it for love of Him, for your own spiritual growth, and for the needs of the world. If adoration isn’t available at your parish, talk to your priest about helping to get something started.

St. John Vianney said, “There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.” (10). And Venerable Fulton Sheen seconds his statement with “The greatest story love story of all time is contained in a tiny white Host.” (4). Let’s behave as if we believe these words and set the world ablaze. O Blessed Virgin, spread the effect of grace of your Flame of Love over all humanity!

Bibliography

1. Encyclopedia of Perpetual Adoration Quotes. n.d. 21 Century Ador. Quotes pg 1. https://www.eucharisticadorationquotes.org/21st%20century.htm#Bishop%20Robert%20Barron (page contains both Dr. Miravalle and Bishop Barron quotes).
2. Pope John Paul II’s prayer beginning Perpetual Adoration on December 8, 1982, at St. Peter’s Basilica, Rom.
3. A Sister of the Children of Mary. (2016). I Will Think of Everything. You, Think Only of Loving Me. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.
4. Benefits of Eucharistic Adoration from the Saints and other Catholic Leaders – LIVE BY FAITH. (2020, October 20). https://www.livebyfaith.nyc/catholic-briefs/benefits-of-eucharistic-adoration-from-the-saints/ (This link is temporarily offline because website is being maintained. Many of these same quotes are likely available in source 1 above.
5. 50 Wise and Wonderful Insights from Padre Pio. (n.d.). NCR. https://www.ncregister.com/blog/50-wise-and-wonderful-insights-from-padre-pio
6. NW Catholic Magazine. June/July 2024, page 38.
7. F.I, F. S. M. (2015, August 18). Eucharistic Adoration for Fr. Kolbe. St. Maximilian Kolbe. https://saintmaximiliankolbe.com/eucharistic-adoration-for-fr-kolbe/
8. Truth in Love Blog. Nov. 29, 2018. https://www.archbishopetienne.com/sisters-of-perpetual-adoration-initiate-association-of-adorers
9. Encyclopedia of Perpetual Adoration Quotes. n.d. St. Mother Teresa Ador. Quotes. https://www.eucharisticadorationquotes.org/mother_teresa.htm
10. John Vianney Quote. (n.d.). A-Z Quotes. https://www.azquotes.com/quote/600237?ref=holy-eucharist