On Adoration

11-24-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. Chris Axline

Having a perpetual adoration chapel where we can visit Our Lord at any time of the day or night is a great joy and privilege. It is also a great responsibility for the parish and the individual adorer. As your pastor, I am responsible for ensuring Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I must tell you with great sadness, that a recent audit of our adoration chapel indicates that we have many open hours where the Lord is alone with no assigned adorer.

In order to ensure proper vigil, and custody of the Blessed Sacrament, and to comply with the directives given by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), I must ensure that our parish has: a minimum of 2 adorers are assigned per hour, and that the Blessed Sacrament is never left unattended during exposition.

To aid me in this I ask that you review the following practices:

  • Always sign in and out when attending the chapel, indicating times.
  • If you are unable to make your committed hour, identify a sub. If un- able to find a sub, notify Roger.
  • If you are a sub, sign in and identify for whom you are subbing.
  • If the next adorer has not arrived when your Holy Hour is finished, please wait as long as possible so that the
  • Blessed Sacrament will not be left alone. If necessary and the office is open, notify the front desk that you must leave, and the next adorer has not arrived.
  • Or if someone comes in who is not assigned for that hour, ask them if they would be willing to stay until the next adorer arrives.

Our parish goal is to have two adorers for every hour by January 1st, 2020. If we do not meet this goal, we will reevaluate the hours for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

We have just implemented a new structure that will help to ensure best practices for Adoration. We ask that you please help us protect and honor our Blessed Lord by following the practices just outlined. I am deeply grateful for your assistance to protect the Blessed Sacrament and to provide for the safety of our adorers.

Below you will find a list of hours that need coverage. If you are able to cover one (or more) of these hours, please email Roger Molieri at liturgy@smarymag.org.

Mondays: 12am, 1am, 2am, 3am, 5am, 6am, 9am, 11am, 12pm, 3pm, 4pm.

Tuesdays: 12am, 1am, 2am, 7am, 11am, 2pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 11pm.

Wednesdays: 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am, 5am, 10am, 1pm, 6pm, 11pm.

Thursdays: 12am, 1am, 2am, 3am, 5am, 9am, 2pm, 3pm, 11pm.

Fridays: 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am, 6am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 5pm, 6pm, 8pm,
9pm, 11pm.

Saturdays: 12am, 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am, 5am, 9am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm.

Sundays: 12am, 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am, 5am, 8am, 9am, 10am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 9pm, 10pm.

Thank you for your prayerful discernment in this matter.

All are invited to join us for a short talk, given by Fr. Chris, on The Sacrament of the Eucharist, followed by a Holy Hour, spent in adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Monday, November 25, 7:00pm-8:30pm in the church. Families and guests welcome!

BACK TO LIST