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"It is most fitting that my
first
stop among the Korean people
should be in a church
devoted
to Perpetual Adoration," said
the Pope in his opening
remarks
at the International Eucharistic
Congress in Seoul,
Korea,
Oct. 7, 1989. |
"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."
In 1981, Pope John Paul II called us to join in the mission
of establishing Perpetual Adoration Chapels in parishes throughout the
world.
In existing chapels, parishioners join together to provide
around-the-clock adoration and prayer before the Blessed Sacrament which is
constantly exposed. Individual parishioners usually spend one quiet hour a week
with the Lord.
The purposes of Perpetual Adoration are many. Individually,
parishioners have access to an easy and practical way of rendering Him
adoration, giving thanks for redemption, making reparation for sins of the
individual and society and to petition for constant help.
Collectively, parishes find the dedication to keeping Holy
Hours strengthens parish spiritual life. Mass attendance usually increases, as
does the return of fallen-away Catholics and conversions. Crime in parish
neighborhoods has declined after Perpetual Adoration began.
Yet the most compelling reason to create Perpetual Adoration
Chapels in every community is because the Holy Spirit asks for it. During his
Eucharistic discourse, Jesus made this unmistakably clear: "Indeed this is the
will of My Heavenly Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in
Him, shall have eternal life. Him I will raise up on the last day." (John
6:40)
But in order to make this vision reality, we need your help. We
need your prayers to strengthen the priests who help parishes establish chapels.
We also need financial support in whatever amount you can contribute. Please
help spread Perpetual Adoration and the everlasting peace of its promise.
Perpetual Adoration Speaks
Out |
What is Perpetual Adoration?
Members of a parish unite in making continuous hours of
adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament during the day and night, seven days
a week.
Why is permanent exposition necessary?
People are far more appreciative of exposition. They are more
responsible and faithful in keeping their holy hour with Our Lord. Because there
is such an attack on the Real Presence, exposition is one of the best ways to
witness our faith. The best reason of all, how ever, is simply that God wills
it.
Is this the work of the clergy?
Not at all. Vatican Council II emphasized the importance of lay
involvement in the Church's mission. Perpetual Adoration uses a team principle
of the laity working under the direction of the clergy with the Bishop's
approval.
Considering the crime situation, isn't it dangerous to go 24
hours a day?
Many pastors have reported that since beginning Perpetual
Adoration in their parishes the crime rate in their community has declined.
Wherever Jesus is adored in the Blessed Sacrament, the devil flees.
What spiritual benefits and graces are attributed to
establishing a program?
An increase in Mass attendance and reception of the Sacraments
is noticeable. Also, fallen-away Catholics return and the number of conversions
increases, as does the number of religious and priestly vocations. The spiritual
level of the people is raised with a resulting desire and courage to spread the
"good news" to others. As Pius XII said: "Personal sanctification and the
sanctification of others is the basis of all Catholic actions."
From Bishop Ruben T. Profugo, D.D., the Diocese of
Lucena,
Philippines:
There are three main objections usually given when Perpetual
Adoration is proposed. One is that people will not respond because they are not
spiritually mature. The second is that priorities may become confused and some
will go to the chapel rather than Mass.
The third, and generally the strongest, is that it is too
dangerous to involve parishioners in the middle of the night.
None of these objections is valid. Indeed, based on the
experience of our diocese, the contrary is true. The people have responded
enthusiastically and have been very faithful to their commitments. Mass
attendance has increased noticeably.
Most dramatically, Perpetual Adoration has made my diocese safe
from the violence that previously threatened to tear it apart. Both priests and
laity credit Adoration for protecting the diocese from communistic reign and for
bringing about peace and order.
It is not dangerous to have Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration,
but rather, it is dangerous not to have it because Jesus is the only one
who can protect and restore, heal and unite us.
Just One Hour Can Change Our
World |
The Holy Father has a dream. He envisions Catholics praying
around the clock, adoring the Blessed Sacrament and feeling the great power of
Perpetual Adoration on every continent.
"Every member of the Church must be vigilant in seeing that
this sacrament of love shall be at the center of the life of the people of God
so that through all the manifestations of worship due to it, Christ shall be
given back 'love for love,' and truly become the life of our souls," said our
Holy Father, Pope John Paul II.
As the Blessed Mother said to her priests, "Christ will restore
his glorious reign in the universal triumph of his Eucharistic reign, which will
unfold in all its power and will have the capacity to change hearts, souls,
individuals, families, society and the very structure of the world."
The Pope also said, "Your faith will help you to realize that
it is Jesus Himself who is present in the Blessed Sacrament, waiting for you and
calling you to spend one special specific hour with Him each week."
The clarity of their vision cannot be underestimated. Perpetual
Adoration Chapels must be spread throughout the world's parishes.
Father Martin Lucia shares the Pope's dream. For many years he
has helped parishes organize Perpetual Adoration Chapels and planted seeds of
motivation and love among parishioners. He envisions Perpetual Adoration Chapels
in parishes around the world. Invitations from parishes in Asia, Africa,
Australia, Europe and remote corners of the world beckon him to guide them.
Father Lucia's dream is to form a group -- called Missionaries
of the Blessed Sacrament -- solely devoted to spreading Perpetual Adoration
throughout the world. Soon, he hopes to have one or more priests on every
continent.
Won't you please sponsor a priest or make a contribution today?
Your support will provide a parish with the tools to honor Christ Himself in the
presence of the Blessed Sacrament around the clock and around the world.
Why is Perpetual Adoration
Necessary? |
The Holy Eucharist is the mystery of our faith. Jesus said that
faith can move mountains. One person coming before Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament represents all of humanity.
Every man woman and child on the face of the earth receives
some new, wonderful effect of God's goodness, of God's mercy, of God's grace and
of God's love, when you put your faith into action and come to visit Jesus in
the Blessed Sacrament.
When you come before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, He
appreciates this so deeply that you release the power of His love and graces to
all of His children throughout the world.
Spend an hour with Him and change the world.
"Perpetual Adoration. Eucharistic Adoration offers to
our people the opportunity to join those in religious life to pray for
the salvation of the world, souls everywhere and peace on earth. We
cannot underestimate the power of prayer and the difference it will make
in our world."
-- Mother Teresa
O Most Holy Trinity, Father,
Son and Holy
Spirit,
I adore Thee profoundly.
I offer Thee the most
precious
Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity
of Jesus Christ,
present
in all the tabernacles
of the world, in reparation
for the outrages,
sacrileges
and indifference by which
He is offended.
By the
infinite merits
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and
the Immaculate
Heart of Mary,
I beg thee the conversion of poor
sinners. |
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