Your HOW TO KIT

for Eucharistic Adoration

Courtesy of the Confraternity of Eucharistic Adoration,

Diocese of Oakland

May the Dear Lord bless you for seeking His greater glory through Eucharistic Adoration.  Know that Eucharistic Adoration is not a mere “devotion” among many others, but an act of public worship. You can draw courage and comfort from the knowledge that Our Lord desires it too.

Welcome to your “How To Kit for Eucharistic Adoration” provided by The Confraternity of Eucharistic Devotion, Diocese of Oakland to offer suggestions for promoting Eucharistic Adoration.  It offers some education, some inspiration and practical information.

The headings are as follows:

Ø    For those intending to start Eucharistic Adoration in their parishes

Ø    For those intending to seek an extension of the hours of Eucharistic Adoration in their parishes

Ø     For those intending to start Perpetual Adoration in their parishes

Ø    For those intending to initiate a Procession for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi

Ø    Suggestions for increasing Confraternity membership

We invite you to browse www.ceddo.org where the various resources referenced below are available for downloading. Also available is the History of Eucharistic Adoration by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. and a variety of other related topics of interest.

For those intending to start Eucharistic Adoration in their parishes

PRAYER before the Blessed Sacrament is always the most appropriate and effective way to begin such an undertaking.  Consider finding a number of like-minded people from the parish, including possible Confraternity members, and starting a Eucharistic Adoration prayer group to pray for this intention and to form the core group that will promote this undertaking.

When seeking the permission/cooperation of your Pastor, it is by far more effective to approach him as a group of 5-6 people (including several men) rather than as an individual.  Be sure to make an appointment and to observe all courtesy.

In the case of a Pastor negatively disposed to Eucharistic Adoration, try to first ascertain whether the drawback is of a logistical nature or one of misguided conviction.  Logistical difficulties can be addressed with negotiation.  Courteous, gentle persistence by different people and continual prayer over time has proven to be the best basic remedy to change the heart and mind.  Remember that Our Lord and His Blessed Mother want Eucharistic Adoration too and have the means to change hearts and minds. 

Have a proposal ready for the Pastor that provides a comprehensive plan and the names and contact information of those who will take responsibility for the various jobs—from scheduling adorers, reminder calls, set up and tear down, etc. You will need to demonstrate that there will be sufficient adorers to supply at least two at all times when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed.  See below for more on details for a plan.

Invite the Pastor’s participation, insofar as he wishes, but be prepared to assure him there will be no added drain on his time and energy. Note that according to The Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite (#665), the Pastor has the authority with the Bishop’s authorization to delegate the exposition and reposition of the Blessed Sacrament to a lay person.

Be prepared to negotiate various parts of your plan such as the days and number of hours for Adoration. The Pastor may have legitimate concerns such as security during Adoration, or interfacing with other groups using the same worship space (church or chapel). See below under Perpetual Adoration for more on Security matters.

Your plan to get started may be simple and straightforward, or you may choose to kick off Eucharistic Adoration with the assistance of someone to preach at the Sunday Masses.

(See Eucharistic Adoration Resources sheet for ideas and sources for logistical materials)   In any event, it is good to find ways to bring Adoration to the attention of parishioners, many of whom may wish to join you.

Publicity in the parish: 

• Word of mouth is the tried and proven best method to invite others to come to spend time with the Dear Lord in Adoration. Personal testimony is good.

• Consider requesting pulpit announcements, submitting regular items in the parish bulletin announcing times of Eucharistic Adoration and perhaps a testimony or inspirational thought about the Holy Eucharist too.

• Have bulletin board flyers or posters.

• Have attractive larger stand up posters at entrances of the church or chapel announcing Eucharistic Adoration (Have them laminated for all weather use).  Look for any willing donors to help with the cost.

• If your parish has a school, do not neglect to approach the principal for permission to invite the children to Adoration for some modest period of time (15-20 min. or so in small groups).  See also Adoration Links on www.ceddo.org for Adoration ministry to children.

• Perhaps you can arrange to have a flyer sent home with each child to inform and invite his family too.

• Make appointments to address various parish groups at their meetings with an invitation to participate in Adoration (again, personal testimonials are good).  Do not neglect to approach ethnic communities, especially any parish Hispanic community—often charismatic-- to invite their participation.  Pass out sign-up sheets where feasible.

• Set up information tables with handouts and sign-up sheets at parish functions such as festivals and conferences. 

Check with The Confraternity (ceddo@oakdiocese.org) to see whether there are members in your parish who can offer suggestions for handouts and help staff information tables.

For those intending to seek an extension of the hours of Eucharistic Adoration in their parishes

PRAYER before the Blessed Sacrament is always the most appropriate and effective way to begin such an undertaking.

Networking to find like-minded people who are willing to staff the additional hours and presenting an amended plan to your Pastor are the main requirements.  In preparation for the new plan, you will want to check the availability of your Adoration space for the additional times.  See also suggestions on Publicity above.

For those intending to start Perpetual Adoration in their parishes

PRAYER before the Blessed Sacrament is always the most appropriate and effective way to begin such an undertaking.  It is good to talk to someone who has already done it (see Dick Duckart of St. Agnes Parish, Concord, (925) 676-8248.)

Consider gathering like-minded people from your parish and surrounding parishes to form a Eucharistic Adoration prayer group to pray for this intention and to form a core group that will promote this undertaking.

As a group, decide on your choice of resources to kick off the project. (On the website click What is CEDDO? for Resources for Eucharistic Adoration ). Contact the resource(s) to get logistical materials. Schedules and directions are readily available.

 Build a core group of 5-6 people (including several men) to present a ready made proposal to your pastor.  This proposal should include a detailed plan for this undertaking as well as the names and contact info of the parishioners who will take responsibility for implementing the plan.  The plan should also address available space, logistics, any necessary funding and security concerns. 

The Adoration Space:

Where space is concerned, a church is usually under heavy use for many functions, making perpetual adoration not feasible unless there is an adoration area behind a two-way tabernacle (such as at our Cathedral of Christ the Light) or a side alcove/chapel with tabernacle and kneelers.   A separate chapel, where available, is becoming the Adoration space of choice in many parishes.   

Security: 

• In parishes where there is a chapter of the Knights of Columbus, contact the Grand Knight to request assistance in staffing any hours where security is a concern.  The KOC are corporately committed to Eucharistic Adoration. 
• Your local Hispanic parishioners may include members of the Nocturnal Adoration Group who can assist.
• Have cell phones available.
• Consider various security systems involving keys or key pads that serve your needs.

For those intending to initiate a Procession for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (the Body and Blood of Christ)

Beyond the observance of Holy Thursday which includes the institution of the priesthood and the Holy Mass, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (which focuses solely on the gift of the Body and Blood of Christ) would seem to be the obvious patronal feast day for all who participate in Eucharistic Adoration.  It has a long, rich and venerable history and enjoys a special place in the hearts of the faithful.  Traditionally, it has been celebrated with solemn processions of the Blessed Sacrament where Our Lord is brought out of His churches to bless the four corners of the world.  

An annual diocesan Mass and Eucharistic Procession led by Bishop Vigneron has taken place these past six years of his stay in addition to many processions in parishes at large.  Let us hope that these solemn observances of this solemnity will continue and grow in number.

We have included here two informational items:  Eucharistic Processions and How to Organize Eucharistic Processions.  Both of these, as well as a list of recommended Eucharistic hymns, are available at www.ceddo.org.

Suggestions for increasing Confraternity membership

The tried and proven best way to make an effective invitation to consider Confraternity membership is by word of mouth.  That makes it personal and gives the opportunity to answer questions as needed.  The Confraternity prayer cards and the flyer are very useful and are available at www.ceddo.org or call Mr. Dick Duckart at (925) 676-8248 if you have no online access.

Bear in mind that the Confraternity is a spiritual association of the faithful and is about prayer and public worship of Our Lord.

1) Approach those already involved in Adoration at your parish.

• Extend a personal invitation to those Adorers you are acquainted with and introduce yourself to those whom you don’t know. Give them a flyer or prayer card.

• There are often handouts tables at Adoration times. Get to know who’s in charge and ask to make Confraternity prayer cards and flyers available (see website www.ceddo.org to download).

2) Bring a friend to the annual Confraternity Mass with the Bishop. Guests are welcome.

3)  Consider networking with family members and like-minded friends in your area and   tell them about the Confraternity (see website for information and materials); also invite them to browse the website www.ceddo.org.

Less effective but still useful for raising awareness of the Confraternity in your parish are various means of publicizing it.

• Consider submitting regular parish bulletin announcements giving information on the Confraternity and how to join. Include the website and e-mail address.
• Consider regular parish bulletin items announcing times of Eucharistic Adoration and perhaps a testimony or inspirational thought about the Holy Eucharist sponsored by The Confraternity of Eucharistic Adoration; include the website and e-mail address.
• Ask to post flyers on the parish bulletin board (download from website).
• Ask to speak at the meetings of various parish groups to introduce Eucharistic Adoration and the work of the Confraternity.
• Arrange for an information table at conferences or parish festivals or other suitable events (CEDDO can help.). 

~

B. Desimone, 10/2009