Perpetual Adoration On December 2, 1981 Pope John Paull II establlished Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel at St. Peter's in Rome.  It was his hope that this pratice would be instituted in parishes the world over. The chapel in the parish convent was renovated to improve security and facilitiate access to the chapel for this purpose.  Perpetual Adoration began at St. Raphael's on June 1, 1997.  Since then, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, someone has been present in the chapel with the Blessed Sacrament. There are no complex rules dictating how an Adorer spends his or her time. 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. Raphael Parishioners are encouraged to consider making Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament a part of their lives. If you would like more information or to schedule an hour contact Therese Juba or the Parish Office. Perpetual Adoration Frequently Asked Questions 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 out 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. 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! "Our essential commitment in life is to grow spiritually in the climate of the Holy Eucharist." Pope John Paul II 12 Biblical Reasons for Perpetual Adoration Twelve Biblical Reasons to help us understand the value, the importance, and the need of spending one hour each week with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament: He is really there! "I Myself Am the Living Bread come down from heaven." (Jn 6:35) Day and night Jesus dwells in the Blessed Sacrament because of his infinite love for you! "Behold I will be with you always even to the end of the world," because "I have loved you with an everlasting love, and constant is my affection for you." (Mt 28:20; Jer 31:3) The specific way that Jesus asks you to love Him in return is to spend one quiet hour with him each week in the Blessed Sacrament. "Where your treasure is, there is your heart..." "Could you not watch one hour with me?" (Mt 6:31; 25:40) When you look upon the Sacred Host, You look upon Jesus, the Son of God. "Indeed, this is the will of My 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." (Jn 6:40) Each moment that you spend in His Eucharistic Presence will increase His Divine Life within you and deepen your personal relationship and friendship with Him. "I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly." "I am the Vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in union with Me shall bear much fruit for without Me, you can do nothing." (Jn 10:10; 15:5) Each hour you spend with Jesus He will Deepen His Divine Peace within your heart. "Come to Me all of you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will refresh you..." "Cast all of your anxieties upon the Lord, who cares for you." (Mt 11:28; 1 Pt 5:7; Jn 14:17) Jesus will give you all the graces you need to be happy in life. "The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water." (Rev 7:17) Jesus is infinitely deserving of our unceasing thanksgiving and adoration for all He has done for our salvation. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive honor, glory and praise." (Rev 5:12) For peace in our country! "When My people humble themselves and seek My Presence, I will receive their land." (2 Ch 7:14) Each hour you spend with Jesus on earth will leave your soul everlastingly more beautiful and glorious in heaven. "They who humble themselves shall be exalted..." "All of us, gazing on the Lord's glory with unveiled faces, are being transformed from glory to glory into His very image." (Lk 18:14; 2 Cor 3:18) Jesus will bless you, your family and the whole world for this hour of faith you spend with Him in the Blessed Sacrament. "Blessed are they who do not see and yet believe..." "What is needed is trust..." "Behold I come to make all things new." (Jn 20:29; Mk 11:23; Mk 5:36; Rev 21:5) Each moment you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament brings joy, pleasure and delight to His Sacred Heart! "My joy, My pleasure, My delight is to be with you." (Prov 8:31) Personal Reasons for Perpectual 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 "I come to the adoration chapel when I am feeling troubled, which is often. I take refuge in Jesus' arms. He is so comforting. He gives me peace, strength and faith. I have become very dependent on my times here with Our Lord, and wouldn't ever want to give my hour up. Thank you God." St. Raphael's Adorer "When I go to adoration at my appointed time to pray and adore our Jesus, my heart is filled with such sweet love for Him that when it is time to go, I do not want to leave Him behind, I take Him with me!" St. Raphael's Adorer "Going to adoration has been one of the most wonderful things that has happened to me. I love the real feeling of peace that I get in that little chapel. I love telling Jesus my problems. He is my best friend, and always listens patiently to me. I am so thankful for that hour." St. Raphael's Adorer