What is Eucharistic Adoration? In essence, it is the response of a heart who has been freed, redeemed, and captivated by love. In the Book of Revelation, Chapter 5 outlines the worship and reverence of a slain lamb that continues for all time. We see elders, angels, and myriads of people proclaiming, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing” (verse 12). Just as the heavenly powers in the Book of Revelation spend all their attention on the Lamb of God and boldly announce the Lamb’s Glory, in adoration, our hearts do the same thing. We adore, give thanks, petition, and ask for reparation just heaven does in these Biblical texts. It is no coincidence, then, that our foundress Blessed Mother Maria Theresia, in talking about adoration, said, “How innumerable the graces the Lord bestows on us during the quiet hours of adoration… We can look forward to our last hour with confidence, for in eternity, we shall continue the loving labor of our grateful hearts: the adoration of God” (emphasis added).
When one comes into an adoration chapel, we do not see what appears to be a lamb, as is referenced in the Book of Revelation. Instead, a white host is present. How is this connected to the Lamb of God who is Jesus Christ (John 1:29)?
The answer begins in John 6, immediately after the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. The people who witness this miracle, track Jesus down and ask for another sign of Jesus’ greatness. They are so awed by what they saw Jesus do, that they are captivated by His power. In response to their hunger, Jesus does indeed take it to the next level through his teaching, but it is a struggle for the people to follow. Jesus mentions that He is “the bread of life” (v. 35), and “the bread that came down out of heaven” (v.41). While this confuses the people, Jesus continues to announce that the bread that he identifies with is His own flesh (v. 51). Jesus ends by saying, “The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink (v. 54-55)... This is the bread that came down out of heaven, not as your fathers ate and died; the one who eats this bread will live forever” (v. 58).
In a totally unprecedented manner, Jesus calls Himself bread, and affirms that this bread is His flesh and blood. This utterly confuses and frustrates the crowd, which immediately disperses in verse 66. Instead of sympathizing with the crowd or explaining a metaphor, Jesus turns to the twelve apostles and offers the same ultimatum, asking them if they are going to leave as well (verse 67). Even though this mystery cannot be fully rationalized or explained, Jesus makes it clear that He is the Bread of Life, which is His Flesh and Blood, and expects his followers to accept the teaching. Later on, before Jesus’ Passion and Death on the Cross, Jesus takes the bread and wine from the Passover celebration and says (Luke 22:19-21), “This is My body, which is being given for you; do this in remembrance of Me… This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant in My blood” (cf Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 15:22-24).
Here at the Passover celebration, Christ takes bread and wine and proclaims it to be his Body and Blood. This is the Bread of Life, Jesus truly present. To this day, at every Mass, the priest uses these same words to continue this great mystery, bringing Christ again to the altar in response to His command, “Do this in memory of me.” The belief that Christ is present under the form or appearance of bread and wine is not an invention of the Middle Ages, but supported by the Scriptures themselves. Saint Paul writes, “Is the cup of blessing which we bless not a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is the bread which we break not a sharing in the body of Christ?” (1 Cor 10:16). The consecrated bread, which is called the Eucharist (meaning a good gift, or thanksgiving), is present during adoration. Christ is truly present as the Bread of Life, just as He said in John 6. As a hymn dedicated to the Eucharist proclaims, “Sight, touch, and taste in Thee are each deceived; The ear alone most safely is believed: I believe all the Son of God has spoken, Than truth’s own word, there is no truer token” (Aquinas, Adoro Te Devote).
Christ’s presence in the Eucharist is attested to not only by Scripture, but by the Church Fathers as well. Saint Ignatius of Antioch condemns those who do not believe that “the Eucharist is the flesh of our savior Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins and which the Father by his goodness raised up” (Letter to Smyrnaeans). Justin Martyr, in explaining what happens at each Mass, explains “the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh” (First Apology).
Adoration of the Eucharist also has a centuries deep history in the Church. Desert hermits would keep the Eucharist in their cells to adore Him (3rd century), and converts to the faith would spend over a week in adoration of the Eucharist as early as the 4th century (Hardon, The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration). By the second millennium, more and more evidence of adoration is found throughout Europe, including a period of adoration that lasted for over 500 years in France from 1226-1792, stopped only by the French Revolution (The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration). In the 13th century, the Feast of Corpus Christi (Latin for the Body of Christ) was established to be observed by all Catholics, and adoration and processions occurred frequently alongside this feast. Eventually communities of monks and nuns that practiced perpetual adoration (adoration of the Eucharist without ceasing) became established in the 16th century (The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration). Our own community which has perpetual adoration (established in 1863), comes from a long devotional heritage.
Our community gladly and joyfully places all the prayer requests and petitions we receive throughout the world in our Adoration Chapel, where these prayers are offered at every hour and second of the day. We would gladly take any requests you have at [insert link here]. Our perpetual adoration chapel is also opened to the public from 9am-8PM so that anyone in the area may adore the Lamb of God, Jesus present in the Eucharist.
How to Pray in Adoration
If you discover a perpetual adoration chapel, is there a certain way one should pray? In essence, any prayer will glorify God, so there is no one correct way to pray. However, it is very common for those who are praying to kneel on both knees and bow out of reverence for Christ truly present in the Eucharist upon entering and exiting the chapel. Also, silence is typically observed out of courtesy for others who are praying, but more significantly, out of reverence for the majesty of God. This silence also enables anyone to calmly examine their hearts and hear the stirring of the Holy Spirit in their heart. After slowing one’s breathing, many also pray the Jesus prayer several times, slowly and reverently: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” “Imagine casting out any fears, lies, temptations, distractions, or worries. [and] see Jesus looking at you with great love and delight.” Then continue to continue your conversation with God in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to silence, a prayer book, praying for special intentions, reading the Scriptures, and/or journaling. Before leaving, many utter a prayer of thanks and implore the Lord’s help as they leave his presence and go out again into the world (Davis and Gettinger).
Sources:
Davis, Sister Mary Bosco and Gettinger, Sister M. Lissetta. “An Adoration Treasury for Young Catholics.” Huntington, IN. OSV Kids. 2022.
Hardon, John, S.J. “The History of Eucharistic Adoration: Development of Doctrine in the Catholic Church.” EWTN Library. EWTN. 2025. Web. Accessed 25 June 2025.
The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration. “Eucharistic Adoration Throughout the Ages.” Tan Direction. Tan Publishing Editors. 2023. Web. Accessed 25 June 2025.