Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction

Its origins

Adoration began at the Last Supper, when the apostles revered and received Christ. The early Church reserved the Eucharist for the sick, and Augustine wrote that no one eats that flesh without first worshiping it. Confronting heresy deepened the Church's understanding: Gregory VII required Berengarius of Tours to affirm the Real Presence in 1079 (Romans 8:28; see Paul VI, Mysterium Fidei 52), and reverence grew. St. Francis of Assisi was devoted to the Eucharist, and in 1226 the first extended adoration took place at Avignon at the king of France's request. Corpus Christi was first celebrated at Liège in 1246, and after the Eucharistic miracle of Bolsena Urban IV made it universal in 1264, spurring processions. In the 1500s Protestant leaders opposed the Real Presence and splintered over the Eucharist, the sacrament of unity (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

Adoration

Adoration is worship (latria), given to God alone, unlike the honor (dulia, hyperdulia) given to the saints and Mary. A priest or deacon places the Host in a monstrance on the altar. The O Salutaris Hostia, written by St. Thomas Aquinas for Urban IV, is traditionally sung. A period of silent prayer follows, to hear God's "still, small voice" (1 Kings 19:11-13), read Scripture, pray the rosary, or simply rest in his presence.

Benediction

All sing the Tantum Ergo, also by Aquinas. The minister incenses the Sacrament, raises the monstrance and blesses the people with it, making the sign of the cross. Then the Divine Praises are recited:

Blessed be God. Blessed be his holy name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man. Blessed be the name of Jesus. Blessed be his Most Sacred Heart. Blessed be his Most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar. Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy. Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her glorious Assumption. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and mother. Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints.

The Host is returned to the tabernacle as a closing hymn, often Holy God, We Praise Thy Name, is sung.

What to do during adoration

Spend time with God, who is truly present. In the Old Covenant only the high priest entered the holy of holies, once a year (Leviticus 16:1-2, 34). Christ's death tore the veil (Luke 23:44-45) so all may draw near. The sanctuary and tabernacle are the New Covenant analogues of the holy of holies and the ark. Pray the rosary, meditate on Scripture, or sit in silence; adoration is for our benefit, and God will bless those who wait on him (Matthew 6:33).

Perpetual adoration

Perpetual adoration exposes the Sacrament around the clock, usually in a chapel, with volunteers keeping weekly hours so the Lord is never alone, as he asked Peter to watch one hour (Matthew 26:40). This also prevents desecration and mirrors heaven's unceasing praise (see Revelation 5:11-14). Saints such as Francis of Assisi, John Vianney and Teresa of Calcutta stressed adoration, which brings silence, intimacy with God and his peace (John 14:27). John Paul II wrote that the Church and the world need Eucharistic worship, for Jesus waits for us in this sacrament of love (Dominicae Cenae 3).

Common questions

• Who can come? Anyone, Catholic or not.
• Is adoration a sacrament? No sacrament is administered, though Christ is truly present; it extends the worship of the Mass.
• How long is it? It varies, typically an hour if benediction follows.
• Do the Orthodox practice it? They share faith in the Eucharist and reserve it reverently, but do not usually practice adoration outside the liturgy.