Christ is present to us in many ways, as in the assembled faithful or the Word of God; however, his presence in the Eucharist is unique and qualitatively superior in that he is present truly, really, and substantially in his Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity.
When the bishop or priest repeats the words of consecration during the Mass, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. Only the appearance of bread and wine remain. This mystery of Faith is known as the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist. "This presence is called 'real' not to exclude the idea that the others are 'real' too, but rather to indicate presence par excellence, because it is substantial and through it Christ becomes present whole and entire, God and man" (Bl. Paul VI, MF 39; cf. Council of Trent, Decree on the Holy Eucharist, c. 3). (Cf. CCC 1377)
-The Didache Bible
Thursday Adoration at Saint James campus returns to 3 pm until the 7 pm evening Mass starting January 5th, 2023. In order to keep this schedule, we need adorers to sign up for a regular weekly hour so that we can guarantee that at least two people are adoring Our Lord at all times.
To sign up for a regular hour of adoration every Thursday at Saint James Campus, please email or call Maria Maglitta at [email protected] / 508-320-8120 or complete the form.
If you want to sign up for multiple dates in advance, use our SignUpGenius online form CLICK HERE
It became the custom in the early Church to set aside some consecrated hosts when the Mass had ended; today, every Catholic church has a tabernacle where the Body of Christ is reserved.
The Eucharist is thereby available to distribute to the sick who could not attend Mass. Since Christ is truly present, an act of reverence is made toward the tabernacle; in the Western Church a genuflection, by which the right knee is touched to the ground, is normally used.
VIEW HERE Adoration Hours
The Real Presence of Christ invites us also to the adoration of the reserved Blessed Sacrament; this has led to the development of many Eucharistic devotions. Eucharistic adoration before the tabernacle is one such pious practice.
Many churches also have periods of adoration when a consecrated host is displayed, or exposed, in a monstrance. Some churches have chapels for perpetual adoration, which is prayer before a host that is exposed continuously. The Forty Hours devotion is practiced in many churches that do not have perpetual adoration. Eucharistic processions are conducted when the Eucharist is placed in a monstrance, which is then carried around church and even through the streets of the town or city. (Cf. CCC 1378-1379)
-The Didache Bible
A monstrance is a special vessel to hold the host and make it visible for Eucharistic Adoration.
Eucharistic Adoration ends with Benediction. Benediction is a special prayer ritual and blessing with the Blessed Sacrament, given by the priest.