Saints LightEucharistic Adoration: Why Sit Before the Blessed Sacrament?
Because Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, Catholics spend time with him before the tabernacle or the exposed Host, worshiping and simply being with him.
What this lesson teaches
- Christ remains truly present in the consecrated Host after Mass.
- Because he is present, the Church adores him in the tabernacle and in exposition.
- A Holy Hour answers Jesus' request in Gethsemane to watch one hour with him.
- In Adoration you can pray any way you like, or simply rest in his presence.
Catechism paragraphs this lesson cites
- CCC 1378-1380
- CCC 1418
- CCC 2628
- CCC 2691
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Scripture read in this lesson: Matthew 26:40; John 6:56-57.
A sample question from this lesson
Why do Catholics adore the Host in the tabernacle?
- Because it is a holy symbol that reminds us of Jesus
- Because the bread has been blessed like holy water
- Because Christ is truly and substantially present there
- Because the Church honors the tabernacle as a relic
Show the answer
Because Christ is truly and substantially present there. Catholic faith holds that the consecrated Host is Christ himself, so it receives the adoration owed to God (CCC 1378).
The lesson in the app has three questions, each with an explanation.
Words to know
- Tabernacle
- The locked, honored box in a church where the consecrated Hosts are kept.
- Monstrance
- A vessel, usually gold and sunburst shaped, that displays the Host for adoration.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
Read the full lesson in the app
"Eucharistic Adoration: Why Sit Before the Blessed Sacrament?" is lesson 8 of Learning to Pray. In Saints Light you get the whole teaching, the Scripture quoted in full, all three questions and a step to live it this week.
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Related lessons
- Before Mass: What Should I Do (and Not Do)? (The Mass)
- Go Forth: The Concluding Rites and Your Week (The Mass)