Adoration & Benediction

Adoration & Benediction

Adoration/Benediction Every Wednesday from 6:00 - 6:15 pm

  • Grades 1 - 5 meet in church for benediction every week at 6pm R
  • Released at 7:15pm from the school building.


What Is Adoration and Benediction?

  • ADORATION of the Holy Eucharist is an opportunity for the faithful to pray to Jesus Christ before the Eucharist. Eucharistic Adoration differs from your daily prayers in one key aspect. Catholics believe the body, blood, soul and divinity are substantially present in the Eucharist. In other words, when you participate in Eucharistic Adoration, you pray and worship Jesus in a more intimate, present and real way.

  • BENEDICTION: When we close holy hour or Adoration with special prayers. The word benediction means blessing, and we are blessed with the Eucharist in the monstrance by the priest during Benediction.

Eucharistic Adoration Resources-1.pdf

Kids Holy Hour and Adoration for Children video


Why is Adoration/Benediction important?

  • The importance of Eucharistic Adoration is shown in the fact that the Church has a ritual that regulates it: the Rite of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction. 
  • This is an extension of the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which occurs in every Mass: "Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb." 
  • Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament flows from the sacrifice of the Mass and serves to deepen our hunger for Communion with Christ and the rest of the Church. The Rite concludes with the ordained minister blessing the faithful with the Blessed Sacrament (called Benediction). (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

Some reasons why it is important for your child(ren) to attend:

  1. It introduces kids to the sacred. Embracing the quiet atmosphere in church in the presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist who is present right in front of them!
  2. In Adoration, kids see other adults besides their parents and older students as role models that love the Lord take the time to pray. That’s powerful!
  3. Adoration teaches reverence. Young kids have short attention spans, but they are very capable of learning and following examples of the others in church for the short 15 minutes of Adoration/Benediction.
  4. This is a prime place for an encounter with Jesus. He is really present in the Blessed Sacrament. It isn’t visible, but there is an effect....like being out in the sun. Whether you like it or not, you’ll get a tan!
  5. It gives kids a dedicated devotional/quiet time.

How can I prepare my child for Adoration/Benediction?

  • Talk about the Eucharist and that they will be spending time with Jesus! Give them your experience with Jesus and how he brings you joy. 
  • Explain a bit about what will happen- it is a quiet time for prayer and blessings by Deacon Mike or Father. 
  • Remind them there will be incense, and it is a time to be respectful and modest as they are in the presence of Jesus in the form of bread. 
  • They don’t need to know the words to the songs or prayers, and they can easily follow along with the other students and teachers around them to help them learn what to do! 
  • They will have programs provided to them that they can use if they wish to follow along.

How do the young kids sit through Adoration?

It is a learning process for many students, but is something we feel is important to teach at early ages as the Exposition of the Eucharist in Adoration is an extremely beneficial way to be close and grow our relationship with God. 
  • The teachers all teach about Adoration/Benediction-the importance, the meaning, the “how to,” and the etiquette with the students.
  • The 1st few classes and throughout the year, we continue to review. 
  • Teachers may provide additional resources for parents/students to allow additional support and “practice” outside of religious education days.