What is the Eucharist and why is it exposed during the Catholic practice of adoration?

The Eucharist is the real presence of Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine, consecrated during the Mass. It is exposed during adoration to provide the faithful with the opportunity to worship and pray directly before Christ, acknowledging His true presence. 

This act of adoration deepens one’s personal relationship with Jesus, allowing us to spend time in His presence, reflect on His love and sacrifice, and experience spiritual renewal.

Christ’s Presence

First let’s look at what we mean when we say that the Eucharist is Christ’s presence.

As Catholics we believe that the Eucharist actually transforms from simple gifts of bread and wine into the substance of Jesus himself — by the power of the Holy Spirit and the correct words of the priest. It’s called transubstantiation.

With our own eyes and physical senses it looks like bread, but it’s not. By faith, we see that the Eucharist is Jesus himself.

Christ’s Sacrifice

In every Mass, the one sacrifice of Christ on Calvary is made present. The Eucharist allows us to stand at the foot of Calvary spiritually, experiencing the sacrifice that redeemed humanity. 

When we look at the host held in the monstrance during adoration, we’re able to meditate on the reality that Christ made it possible to sacrifice himself for us, but never leave us, just like he promised. When he takes the form of the host, he is there with us physically in the room. 

Understanding the Eucharist can transform our approach to adoration. Whether you normally attend adoration, or have only been a few times, we hope this has given you a better understanding of the immense gift it is to us as Catholics. 

Credit: FOCUS Blog: https://focus.org/posts/why-do-catholics-go-to-adoration/

YES, ALWAYS

Children in adoration can be a form of meditation in themselves, if we take the time to watch and learn from them.

As adults, we often have a very specific (and narrow) idea of what true adoration looks like. We envision a quiet, distraction-free moment of prayer – no noise, no interruptions, just perfect peace. But Jesus doesn’t have such rigid expectations. He invited us to learn from children, who come to Him freely and without hesitation. For Him, their presence in church or in adoration is never an inconvenience. It should be the same for us. If children aren’t coming, or if parents feel unwelcome bringing their kids, how will those little ones learn to pray and be in the presence of Jesus, especially at that crucial stage in their lives when they’re most open to the supernatural and untouched by barriers to belief? Look at examples like Blessed Imelda or Little Nellie of Holy God for proof of that!

Parents, please bring your children to adoration. 

For those of us without children: let’s strive to adopt the mindset of Jesus when a child enters our holy hour. We should avoid the attitude of the apostles, who wanted to keep children away from Him. Their intentions might have been well-meaning – perhaps to preserve the peace or to maintain cleanliness. But if we catch ourselves thinking that way, let's take those feelings to Jesus. Remember, we are also His children, bringing our mess, our noise, and our imperfections. Ask for the grace to appreciate that when we approach Him with our chaos, He never turns us away, doesn’t roll His eyes, and never tells us to go away or be quiet. He isn’t bothered by our mess. In fact, He came to the Cross to clean up our mess and bring us back to the Father as His beloved adopted children.

Let’s learn from the little ones. When they show Jesus their favorite toy or spill their snacks, when they speak without fear or filter “Out of the mouths of babes, You have found perfect praise to silence the enemy” (Psalm 8:3). 

If we open our hearts, they’ll teach us how to be in adoration, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear (Matthew 13:9).

Anyone & everyone is welcome to spend time with jesus in adoration.

Heading to adoration, but need some help finding prayers and guides? 

Use these guides on three great Catholic prayer practices to aid your next adoration trip: 

Lectio Divina

Intercessory Prayer

Igantian Contemplation

The Rosary. 

If you're not Catholic but you are coming to Adoration, why don't you think about becoming Catholic?