April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
OLD IS NEW AGAIN
Eucharistic adoration gains local popularity
In the past few years, three area parishes have adopted a 24-hour perpetual adoration schedule. Holy Trinity parish in Johnstown recently started weekday afternoon adoration, and many parish communities offer adoration on the first Friday of each month or for special celebrations.
More parishes could offer adoration if there's popular demand, said Elizabeth Simcoe, diocesan chancellor for pastoral services; but "there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to prayer and spirituality."
Some call adoration antiquated or inappropriate. The majority of U.S. Catholics don't participate in the practice today.
"Some people thought maybe it was too pious," noted Rev. James Clark, pastor of Corpus Christi parish in Round Lake.
Corpus Christi, on the other hand, recently developed a swipe-card system to allow parishioners access to the church for perpetual adoration.
Seek and find
"For many, these values are still important," Father Clark explained. "You can pray at your home; you can pray in your office; and that's all well and good. But some people want to lengthen the experience they have at Mass when the body and blood [of Christ] is present. I think people are continuing to search, and they see the world changing and want to cling onto something."
The last two popes have strongly encouraged a revival of eucharistic adoration, one of the most popular forms of devotion in the Church for seven centuries. It had fallen from favor after the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the late 1960s. Similar non-liturgical devotions, like novenas, benediction, Stations of the Cross and praying the Rosary also declined in popularity.
Diane Hnat, 79, a parishioner at Corpus Christi, misses 40-Hour devotions, processions and Latin prayer services. She adores the Eucharist daily and said she doesn't understand those who assert that adoration is not the kind of communal worship advocated in the post-Vatican II Church.
"God is the goal and you're before Him," Ms. Hnat said. "Where else would you want to go? God says, 'Be still and know that I am God.' And when do we have time to be still? Where can you go where you don't have distractions around you?"
Teens and young adults are growing curious about devotions popular before Vatican II, Father Clark said. Corpus Christi parishioner Olivia Rawle, a homeschooled 10th-grader, is one example. She and other youth group members participate in adoration after weekly meetings.
"It's just kind of centering yourself and being quiet," Olivia said. "After a long day of homework and school, it's nice to just sit and be and pray."
She often reads the Bible during her adoration time: "I ask for guidance. It's kind of hard to lead a religious life nowadays. You're faced with so many temptations."
Parishes that establish perpetual adoration are expected to assure there are always some members present in prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament. If an adorer is not relieved, he or she places a cover over the monstrance holding the host.
Ron Bissell takes 1 to 2:30 a.m. adoration shifts at Christ Our Light parish in Loudonville and St. Augustine's parish in Troy, which recently renovated its chapel.
Wee hours
St. Augustine's is known for having full coverage, but "it's so difficult for [parishes] to fill those hours," Mr. Bissell said. "And I'm a night bird anyway."
Mr. Bissell passes the time by praying the Rosary, reading Scripture and talking to God. Adoration is different from praying at Mass, he said, because he's not among 300 other worshippers.
"It's a big difference when you go yourself," he said. "It gives me a great feeling of joy."
Deacon Thomas Colton, who sometimes substitutes for Mr. Bissell in the wee hours and adores at other times at the Loudonville and Troy parishes, agreed.
"It's different praying in the chapel than it is at my desk," said Deacon Colton, who's on medical leave from diaconate ministry. "I'm sitting in the presence of my Lord. It can't get any better than that. One of the greatest weapons we have against the evils of the world is eucharistic adoration."[[In-content Ad]]
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