April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
Catholics have kept watch in Troy -- for 15 years
The chapel has remained available for devotion 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ever since, and at least one person has been present at all times.
Each day over that 15 years, members of St. Paul's and other Troy parishes, as well as Catholics in the Albany Diocese and the northeast, have continued the perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Anniversary
This week, 15 years to the day that the Blessed Sacrament was first placed on the altar for exposition, Catholics involved in the Perpetual Adoration marked its 15th anniversary with a Rosary procession featuring a statue of Mary, followed by Mass and a reception.There was even a cake to celebrate the Blessed Mother's birthday, and those in attendance sang "Happy Birthday" to her.
Several people who have participated in the perpetual adoration over the years spoke with The Evangelist about what their involvement has meant to them and how their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament has touched their lives.
Peaceful time
Helen Baker, who has been involved throughout the 15 years, enjoys the tranquility of spending time in silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament."Once you go there, it's such peace. When you shut that door and you're in there all alone, it's so quiet," she said. "And you know Our Lord is looking out at you. He's right in the monstrance there."
At times, she feels the Lord's presence quite strongly. "I had such a suffocating feeling I couldn't breathe. I felt His presence that much in that chapel," she said.
Ongoing effort
Ms. Baker coordinates scheduling for the "adorers," as those who join in the perpetual adoration are called. They come not only from Troy, but also from Schenectady, Grafton and even North Adams, Massachusetts, to spend an hour or more each week in devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.Occasionally, adorers stay longer than an hour if, for example, the next scheduled person is running late or if they simply desire to spend more time in prayer and reflection. Ms. Baker usually doesn't have difficulty finding substitutes if someone can't come to the chapel, but she's always looking for additional adorers to continue the perpetual adoration.
Few gaps
Although the adoration has been interrupted a few times over the years due to bad weather or loss of electrical power, those have been the only instances when the Blessed Sacrament was put in repose. Even when the weather has been rough, adorers often would brave the elements and keep the adoration going, Ms. Baker noted.Spending time in quiet devotion to the Blessed Sacrament lifts her spirits, and she knows that Jesus and the Blessed Mother appreciate her effort.
"When you come out of there, you feel good. You feel you've done something. It's beautiful for Our Lord. And Mary will bless you for going over and spending this hour with Him," she said.
Life-giving effort
Ann Harrington used to spend time with the Blessed Sacrament every other weekend because she was working; since she retired in 1986, however, she has visited the chapel every day.Ms. Harrington, who baked the birthday cake for Mary for the 15th anniversary, cherishes her moments of devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and can't imagine giving up her ministry as an adorer.
"I couldn't live without it. This is my life, and that chapel is my salvation," she said.
Presence of Jesus
Marguerite Casey has felt the Lord's presence during her 10 years as an adorer, and her belief in Him has grown by spending each Friday afternoon in meditation before the Blessed Sacrament."I really have come to believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. It's like a fire within me, and I can't stay away," she said.
Proud to be part of the perpetual adoration, she is awed by the number of adorers who have traveled from all parts of the Diocese and the northeast to keep their devotion during these 15 years.
On a personal level, Ms. Casey has felt her love for Jesus and Mary deepen by praying before the Blessed Sacrament every week, and she finds her devotion is time well spent.
"I just have become so in love with our Blessed Lord and Our Blessed Mother," she said.
(For more information about Perpetual Adoration or to become an adorer, call Helen Baker at 283-5497.)
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