Sunday’s Worldwide Adoration

This Sunday, the Church will celebrate the Year of Faith with an historic event: Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration. The theme is “One Lord, One Faith,” and so cathedrals throughout the world will synchronize with St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and expose the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration at the same time. This way, all of the faithful can be in communion with Pope Francis in Eucharistic Adoration.

On Sunday June 2, from 5:00pm-6:00pm in Rome, Pope Francis will kneel before the Eucharistic Lord. Dioceses around the world will join at exactly this time, which conveniently lands at 11:00am D.C. time, but occurs in the wee hours of the morning for others. People are very enthusiastic, though, and honored to pray with the Church for the Pope’s intentions. These are:

For the Church spread throughout the world and united today in the adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist as a sign of unity. May the Lord make her ever more obedient to hearing his Word in order to stand before the world ‘ever more beautiful, without stain or blemish, but holy and blameless.’ That through her faithful announcement, the Word that saves may still resonate as the bearer of mercy and may increase love to give full meaning to pain and suffering, giving back joy and serenity.

For those around the world who still suffer slavery and who are victims of war, human trafficking, drug running, and slave labor. For the children and women who are suffering from every type of violence. May their silent scream for help be heard by a vigilant Church so that, gazing upon the crucified Christ, she may not forget the many brothers and sisters who are left at the mercy of violence. Also, for all those who find themselves in economically precarious situations, above all for the unemployed, the elderly, migrants, the homeless, prisoners, and those who experience marginalization. That the Church’s prayer and its active nearness give them comfort and assistance in hope and strength and courage in defending human dignity.

It is no coincidence that this event is planned for the Feast of Corpus Christi, a day that the Church sets aside to celebrate devotion to the body and blood of Christ. This day was very special for Blessed John Paul II, which is something we will touch on later this week.

Let the Games Begin

Last week, Pope Benedict XVI extended best wishes to participants of the 2012 Olympics:

The Olympics are the world’s most important sports event in which athletes of a great many nations take part and as such they have a strong symbolic value. For this reason the Catholic Church regards them with special sympathy and attention. Let us pray that in accordance with God’s will the Games in London will be a true experience of brotherhood among the earth’s peoples.

…I pray that, in the spirit of the Olympic Truce, the good will generated by this international sporting event may bear fruit, promoting peace and reconciliation throughout the world.

The Evil One sows “division in the human heart” and sows division between human beings, Pope Benedict said in the same Angelus address. The Olympic Games have the potential to break through these divisions and unite the world’s nations in brotherhood.

So as we watch our favorite athletes compete, let us remember the greater purpose behind the Olympics. Let us also remember the Church in London, and pray that they may provide pastoral help to the athletes and visitors. It looks like they are doing a good job so far, with perpetual Adoration and all!

Adoring our King

In his homily for Corpus Christi, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the topic of Adoration—a practice which has been discredited by some Catholics as ritualistic and a distraction from the importance of the Mass.

Spending time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is “one of the most authentic experiences of our being in church,” he said. And in order to enter into true communion with our King, we must exchange glances with Him and give Him “intense, eloquent silences full of respect and veneration.” Adoring the Blessed Sacrament gives the celebration of the Mass a fuller meaning, and that is why giving Him time in silence and in processions is so important–we better understand Who and What we are receiving when we approach the table. 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church includes Blessed John Paul II’s words on this topic:

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 our adoration never cease.

Let us make a commitment, then, to adore our King in the Blessed Sacrament. Let us also pray for the success and fruitfulness of the 50^th International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin. Ireland needs the healing power of the Eucharist.