The U.S. bishops’ three-year National Eucharistic Revival underway is intended to promote understanding and devotion to the mystery of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. In the Arlington diocese, Catholics say that interest in one of the most concrete forms of that devotion — Eucharistic adoration — runs deep and is growing stronger.
Years ago, a Mass-going Catholic might need a primer on the practice. Today those conversations are rarer as the prevalence of adoration increases. While the diocese does not track the availability of adoration, which is determined at the parish level, according to longtime observers it already was trending upward when COVID-19 hit and fueled more interest.
Father Paul D. Scalia, episcopal vicar for clergy, said that while the diocese has had a strong adoration culture for as long as he’s been a priest, there probably are more parishes offering the devotion now than there were a decade or so ago. In his role as pastor of St. James Church in Falls Church, he saw adoration grow from once a month before COVID to twice weekly. What began as a necessity in lieu of public Masses, which were curtailed due to social distancing requirements, developed a larger presence in parish life.
“Culturally, there is a greater desire for silence,” he said. “As the culture has gotten noisier, people have sought out silence and found it in adoration.”
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated the opening Mass and delivered a keynote address to a Eucharistic Congress in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Sept. 30.
“The Eucharist has a power that cannot be explained,” he said in his address. “It has a power to draw us in, to comfort us, to give us peace, to help us think more clearly. Kneeling before Christ in adoration, we gain a new perspective. We recall what matters most. We remember who we are. We realize anew that our humility before God is met and exceeded by his humility before us.”
For Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist Marie Benedict Elliott, prayer before the Blessed Sacrament “was significant to allowing me to take the next steps and recognize God’s call.” Yet, it’s an important practice regardless of one’s vocation.
“Eucharistic adoration does not replace participation in the holy sacrifice of the Mass,” she said. “Rather, it extends the opportunity to gaze upon our Eucharistic Lord and be in intimate conversation with him. Developing that personal friendship with the Lord, especially through fidelity to some form of daily prayer, helps sustain our lives as Catholics and prepare us for eternal life.”
Sister Marie Benedict often speaks with Catholics, especially young adults, who visit different churches based on the opportunity for adoration. Her convent is located at St. Philip Church in Falls Church, which also offers a dedicated time for adoration with younger children, with age-appropriate prayers and reflections.
Perpetual adoration — which is offered 24-7 with limited exceptions — is sustained at several parishes in the diocese, including Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville; Our Lady of Angels Church in Woodbridge; Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Winchester; St. John the Baptist Church in Front Royal; St. Louis Church in Alexandria; St. Michael Church in Annandale and St. Theresa Church in Ashburn.
Laura Ricketts was an adorer for many years at Sacred Heart before coordinating the ministry and joining the parish staff as director of family life and evangelization. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, she reminds people, affirms the Eucharist as “the source and summit of the Christian life.” Parish interest was renewed during COVID, when parish priests exposed the Blessed Sacrament from a window of their residence to allow for perpetual adoration to continue. The parish uses weadorehim.com, a website with text-messaging capability, which has simplified the processes of signing up, changing times and finding substitutes.
“It’s amazing to think that the God of the universe, who created everything is waiting for me, is waiting for you, and that he wants to look on you with love,” Ricketts said. “When you really think about it, who can resist that? What a gift we have in our ability to spend one hour with Our Lord at any time, day or night.”
St. Theresa uses the Adoration Scheduler software that offers similar functionality. Adorer Shiny Adukuzhi believes parishes of any size can implement it.
“Adoration is the best way to establish a personal relationship with Jesus,” she said. “It gives so much peace and strength to face daily challenges. Above all, we can talk to him and tell him everything.
The most public aspect of the multifaceted National Eucharistic Revival may be the National Eucharistic Congress to be held in Indianapolis July 17-21, 2024, and expected to draw 80,000 people. Bishop Burbidge encourages participation from every parish in the diocese. Father Michael D. Weston, director of the Office of Divine Worship, sent parishes information about how people can participate.
While most will fly or drive to Indianapolis, some are processing on foot. A National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will guide young pilgrims to Indy via one of four regional routes across the country, beginning the weekend of Pentecost, May 17-19, 2024. Those coming closest to the Arlington diocese will trod the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Route, which begins in New Haven, Conn., and processes through New York City and Philadelphia before stopping in Washington June 8-9, according to organizers.
Father Christopher F. Tipton, chaplain of St. John Paul the Great High School in Potomac Shores, has committed to send a delegation of 15 to the congress — a dozen students and three chaperones. The opportunity to go coincided with both preparations for the Diocesan Golden Jubilee next year and the school’s increased opportunities for adoration, offered each Friday. Separately, a recent evening holy hour drew more than 50 students. Prior to 2020, adoration was monthly.
“Having frequent Eucharistic devotion has proven to be key in our school schedule,” he said. “The better question for us was, why not attend? This is a wonderful effort on the part of the USCCB for our nation to highlight and reignite Eucharistic devotion. We want to be a part of that.”
Schweers can be reached at [email protected].
Find adoration opportunities
The Catholic Herald published a printable list of Eucharistic adoration times around the diocese. The faithful of the Arlington diocese are invited to participate in the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, July 17-21, 2024. To learn more and register, go to bit.ly/NECreservation.
