From Rev. Fr Craig Scott's dedication letter: "It is with great joy that during this Jubilee Year 2000, we at Mater Dolorosa Church show our devotion to Christ in the Eucharist through the opening of St. Anthony's Chapel of Adoration. Eucharistic Adoration has enjoyed a "re-birth" of sorts in recent years. As many of us have experienced, prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament is powerful. To have that opportunity at any hour of the day is indeed a great gift."
 

Adoration is a powerful opportunity to spend time with our Lord in the Eucharist. Adoring our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament unleashes God’s grace for our lives and for the life of our parish, our Church, and our world. We witness to the many blessings that flow from Perpetual Adoration and are committed to evangelizing others through the power and beauty of this intimate encounter with Jesus Christ.

There are no complex rules dictating how an Adorer spends his or her time. You may bring prayer books, read the Bible, pray the Rosary, or just sit, relax and enjoy the peace that comes from being in His Presence. You may feel you can't pray well. Don't let this discourage you. The fact that you came to spend time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament pleases Him very much, and is in itself a prayer of faith.

What is Adoration?

Adoration is a quiet time spent in prayer before Jesus present in the Eucharist. A Consecrated Host is placed in the center of a sacred vessel called a Monstrance. The word Monstrance means" to show' The Monstrance is then set in a very special place for all to see and worship. Jesus truly is present body, blood, soul and divinity in the Consecrated Host or "Blessed Sacrament."

Why do we have Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration?

Because Jesus wants it "Could you not watch one hour with Me." (Matthew 26:40). But we too have needs, hurts, joys, and sorrows that we can share only with Our Lord and Savior By coming to Adoration we give Jesus great honor and act with humility by acknowledging our need for, and dependence upon Him - our Creator.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Pope John Paul II are living examples of the fruits of Eucharistic Adoration. No matter how busy they are, or how many important people they have to see, they make sure that they spend time with the most important Person of all: Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament Every day they spend 2 to 3 hours in His Eucharistic Presence, and they tell the whole world that this is where they get all their energy to do so much for God and His people. "The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this Sacrament of Love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet Him in Adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our Adoration never cease." Pope John Paul I

Why should I go?

To deepen your personal relationship with Jesus and grow in faith, hope, and love. St. Peter Julian Eymard said that every time you look at Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament your place in heaven is raised. Besides that future goal, right now, here on earth, Jesus will give you His peace within you as you spend time with Him. Just as you can't be exposed to the sun without receiving its rays, neither can you come into the Light and Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament without receiving the divine rays of His grace, His love, His peace.

What do I do during my hour?

You may spend the time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament any way you want. You may bring prayer books, read the Bible, pray the Rosary, or just sit, relax and enjoy the peace that comes from being in His Presence. You may feel you can't pray well. Don't let this discourage you. The fact that you came to spend time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament pleases Him very much, and is in itself a prayer of faith.

St. John Vianney used to have a parishioner who would just sit before the Blessed Sacrament many hours every day. He asked him, ‘What do you do while you sit in church?’ The man said, ‘I look at him, and he looks back at me.’

How can I show my Love for Jesus?

By coming to Adoration quietly and with reverence. By kneeling on both knees before going to the chairs or kneelers.
By keeping still as you and others pray.
By trying to lift your mind and heart to Jesus during Adoration. Try thinking about His sufferings and believe that He suffered all He did because you are very precious and worth everything to Him! Give Him Thanks and Praise!

"Our essential commitment in life is to grow spiritually in the climate of the Holy Eucharist." Pope John Paul II

Personal Reasons for Perpetual Adoration

On December 2, 1981, our Holy Father Pope John Paul II began Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration of the exposed Blessed Sacrament, in the chapel at St. Peter's. He appealed to all parishes to do the same. "I hope that this form of Perpetual Adoration, with permanent exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, will continue into the future. Specifically, I hope that the establishment of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration will be realized in all parishes and Christian communities throughout the world."   ~Pope John Paul II

"What will convert America and save the world? My answer is prayer. What we need is for every parish to come before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in a holy hour of prayer."   ~Mother Teresa of Calcutta