Adoro Te Devote Series: Vol. 4 Invitation to Adore
“Jesu! Whom for the present veil'd I see, What I so thirst for, O vouchsafe to me: That I may see Thy countenance unfolding, And may be blest Thy glory in beholding.”
-Saint Thomas Aquinas, Adoro Te Devote
-Saint Thomas Aquinas, Adoro Te Devote
My first Eucharistic Adoration experience was unforgettable…
Mass had ended. About 20 clergy walked off the stage from what had been an auditorium Mass for us young high school pilgrims at the March for Life in Washington DC (2011, I believe?)
It was an evening weekday Mass, if I remember correctly…so, naturally, thinking it was time to leave, I got up to stretch my legs and waited for others to do the same. Most of the youth did. But the adults, on the other hand, remained seated…
I looked over at our Youth Minister. Not only did she remain seated as well, but she also had this giddy look of excitement on her face. She was obviously waiting for something.
What in the world was going on?
All of the sudden, the lights in the auditorium went out, save one. And guess who just walked right out of thin air?
Matt Maher of course.
He started singing, and people lost it. I, not knowing who Matt Maher was at the time (a contemporary Catholic musician), just stood there with my mouth agape. All of the adults and chaperones had obviously withheld the fact that an all-out concert was to take place after Mass.
In all honesty, I hardly remember any of Matt Maher’s singing from that evening…but there is one moment I remember clear as day. One that changed my life.
And that was when a priest brought out a monstrance: a large gold ornate stand which holds a consecrated host in the middle. He brought the monstrance up front and center stage as Matt Maher lead us in reverent song.
He continued playing his guitar in a kneeling position. And not a lazy-sit-on-my-heels kind of kneeling position. The uncomfortable kind of kneel where your kneecaps dig into the floor. But he didn’t seem to notice. His gaze was fixed on Jesus.
This was no longer a concert. This was Eucharistic Adoration.
He played for a while. Quietly, reverently. Then stopped. And we all sat in silence gazing at Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament while He gazed at us.
I knew nothing about Eucharistic Adoration at the time. But I could tell this was a big deal.
And while, every other Adoration I’ve been to since has been significantly quieter with much less attendance and absolutely no celebrities…every single one has been just as big of a deal to me, if not more.
Through the struggles of vocational discernment, the confusion of young-adulthood, the fatigue of early motherhood—quiet visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament have provided me with some of the most formative experiences of my life.
“The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in the 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.”
If you’re reading this and thinking…. “What is Eucharistic Adoration?” Put simply, it is an opportunity--an invitation--to adore Christ in the Eucharist. It is a very intimate form of prayer, because while Christ is most definitely present with us wherever we pray, Eucharistic Adoration gives us the opportunity to gaze at Him in the Blessed Sacrament.
And if you are a mom like me who struggles to soak up that moment of communion at Mass because you are herding kids like cattle back to their seats, Eucharistic Adoration is a very welcome form of prayer when you get to go by yourself.
“Adoration is homage of the spirit to the King of Glory, respectful silence in the presence of the ever greater God.”
Does all this sound idolatrous? I used to question that myself. And there are saints who prayed long and hard with big questions about the Eucharist as well. Saint Thomas Aquinas—author of the Adoro te Devote prayer from which this Lenten email series is inspired by!—was one of them.
Jesus fully present body, blood, soul, and divinity in the form of bread and wine is a pretty big claim. Good thing Jesus was the first one to make that claim!
I hope to dive deeper into this in next week’s newsletter by offering some quotes from scripture and the catechism.
Until then, if you want to learn more about Eucharistic Adoration (what is it, how to pray, etc.), I’m including an article from Catholic World Mission to help you out.
I hope this email finds you well! I’ve recently begun a new piece heavily inspired by “Our Lady of Tenderness.” Check out the slow start below!
Your Friend in Christ,
Haley Dessauer
**Disclaimer: I try very hard to make sure the content of these reflections align with Church teaching…but I am still human and fallible (and may need occasional help from my brothers and sisters in Christ!) If you read something in one of my emails that does not align with Church teaching, please let me know! Likewise, when in doubt, seek out more information and contact your parish priest.
