What is Adoration?

"Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil. Adoration is homage of the spirit to the "King of Glory," respectful silence in the presence of the "ever greater" God. Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our supplications." - The Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2628

Eucharistic Adoration is the adoration of Jesus Christ present in the Most Holy Eucharist. Although the Eucharist maintains the appearance of bread, we believe that once consecrated at Mass, what once was bread is now the Body of Christ, that is Jesus Christ Himself is really present, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Jesus Christ is God the Son and we adore Him as God present in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is displayed in a special holder, called a monstrance, and people come to pray to, adore, and worship Jesus.

You can read about one young woman's experience in Adoration and the insights she had by going to her blog. Click here.

If you would like to bring a guide with you, then you can use the downloadable and printable brochure on the Adoration of the Adoration Prayer Card

Click here to learn more about the Real Presence and Adoration

Click here for a link to the Archdiocesan Eucharistic Adoration website

What do people do at Adoration?

There is no particular set of prayers for Adoration. We can come and pray however we best connect with the Lord. Some common ways are to pray with Sacred Scripture, pray the Rosary, or just spend some time with Jesus.

One suggestion by the late John Joseph Cardinal Carberry of St. Louis is to remember the acronym A.C.T.S.:

Adoration - We acknowledge God for who He is, and who we are in relationship to Him. Adoring Him for His great majesty, and meditating on Him as Love, Goodness, Truth, Beauty, etc.
Contrition (Sorrow) - We should examine ourselves and be contrite for our faults, failings, sins, and weaknesses. It is good to recall and present to God our these things because the more often we recognize them and present them to God, the easier it would be to confess them to Him in the Sacrament of Confession, and the easier it would be to overcome them when they are so frequently identified.

Thanksgiving - We are reminded to thank God for the many blessings and gifts we have received from Him, both the natural and supernatural. We should be grateful for the grace of salvation won for us by the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We can and should also thank Him for blessings in our everyday life such as a beautiful day, an unexpected compliment, or for encountering Him in daily life.


Supplication (Petitions) - We are told to ask and we shall receive, to seek and we will find, to knock and the door will be open to us. We should pray for the things we need and for our own growth in holiness. When we ask God for things that He wants to give us, how could He refuse? We can also intercede for others, asking God to take care of those in need