21st Century Saints (Page 2 of 2)

Quotes On The Importance Of Eucharistic Adoration

Find On This Page


Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brien (1939 to Present)
Grand Master Emeritus of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and
Cardinal-Prist of San Sebastiano al Palatino
"Many seminarians volunteer the fact that they discovered their vocation through devotion to the Blessed Sacrament in parishes where Eucharistic adoration was regularly scheduled with special prayers for vocations. Nationally, I am told that there are dioceses such as Wichita, where an abundance of priestly vocations can be traced to diocesan-wide Eucharistic adoration. Nor do I think it a coincidence that the three parishes in our Archdiocese with the most success at present in “growing” seminarians for Baltimore all offer parishioners opportunities for Eucharistic adoration outside of Mass."

Cardinal Telesphore Toppo (1939 to Present)
Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Ranchi, India and
Cardinal-Priest of Sacro Cuore di Gesù agonizzante a Vitinia
"In my pastoral letter on the Eucharist I urged the community to encourage others to become devoted to (the Blessed Sacrament)... It is fantastic to see how in our diocese of Ranchi, and even in the most distant villages of Jharkhand, people visit these chapels at every hour of the day... People of every age come: from teenagers and young adults to the elderly... The laity's love for the Eucharist is edifying."


Cardinal Sean Brady (1939 to Present)
Archbishop Emeritus of Amargh, Ireland and
Cardinal-Priest of Santi Quirico e Giulitta
"Adoration of the Eucharist reminds us of the importance of the Sacrament of the Eucharist in our faith, a faith which will lead us to bring the message of Christ to our homes, our families, our communities and our world."
(Source: Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference facebook site - https://www.facebook.com/IrishCatholicBishops)

"The Church exists to evangelize – to preach Jesus.  Anything else is Narcissism – self serving and self-centred.  The Message must be brought, not only to the ends of the earth but to the margins of society.  Not only to the poor but to the ignorant, those who now do without God, those who are suffering and outcast and weak, to those who are in any kind of misery.  That will take zeal.  It will take strength of faith and the fire of love.  That sort of strength can only come from contemplation and adoration of Jesus Christ."
(Source: Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference website, Mar. 28, 2013 Homily of Cardinal Brady, for the Chrism Mass - https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2013/03/28/homily-cardinal-brady-chrism-mass/)


Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan (1939 to Present)
Archbishop Emeritus of Santa Fe, New Mexico
"To appreciate the Eucharist more I encourage visits to our churches and Perpetual Adoration Chapels to pray in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and receive God’s graces. Pray for priestly vocations so that we will have sufficient priests for Mass now and in the future."
(Source: Archbishop Sheehan's 2005 Pastoral Letter on Reverence for the Eucharist)


Bishop Joseph Charron (1939 to Present)
Bishop Emeritus of Des Moines, Iowa
"Growing in the awareness of the all-abiding presence of Christ, I encourage all to strive to include more time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Simply going to your parish Church and spending some time in prayer and contemplation, knowing of Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament, helps us to nurture our relationship with the Lord."
(Source: Bishop Charron's 2004 Pastoral Letter titled "Do This in Memory of Me")


Peter Kreeft (1937 to Present)
Catholic Theologian, Apologist, Professor, and author
"Adoration will heal our Church and thus our nation and thus our world...When we adore, we plug into infinite dynamism and power. Adoration is more powerful for construction than nuclear bombs are for destruction."
(Source: Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament website - http://www.acfp2000.com/Newsletter-2001-10.html)


Cardinal Roger Mahony (1936 to Present)
Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and
Cardinal-Priest of Santi Quattro Coronati
"Each season of the liturgical year (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time) can be marked by a special opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration. The seasons of Advent and Lent are particularly appropriate times to bring the hopes and longings of the whole world and our own hearts before the Most Blessed Sacrament."
(Source: Cardinal Mahoney's 2000 Pastoral Letter "As I have done for you : a pastoral letter on ministry")


Cardinal Justin Rigali (1935 to Present)
Archbishop Emeritus of Philadelphia and
Cardinal-Priest of Santa Prisca
"Devotion to the Eucharist leads one to a devotion to life and a devotion to life leads one to the Eucharist….We receive our strength for our labors for life from the Good News of Jesus Christ and from Holy Eucharist."
(Source: Truth Himself blog - http://truthhimself.blogspot.com/)

"(Eucharistic Adoration outside of Mass) is an emerging sign of the times, confirmed in the experience of many bishops throughout the world. Bishops are very pleased about where this is going. It leads people back to the sacrament of reconciliation, to greater solidarity with each other, and to more active participation in the Mass."
(Source: Vatican's 1997 Synod of the Americas)

"We are sent out from the Eucharist to contribute to the building up of the Body of Christ, and we return in Eucharistic adoration. The Eucharist is the center of our life because Jesus is the center of our life. So, he said, Eucharistic adoration is a powerful incentive to service to those in need. In the Eucharist, we live Christ's life and fulfill His words to worship the Father 'in spirit and in truth'."
(Source: Vatican's 1997 Synod of the Americas)

"Flowing from our celebration of the Mass, the abiding gift of Jesus in the Eucharist calls us to deepen our love and devotion for the Most Blessed Sacrament through Eucharistic adoration."
(Source: Cardinal Rigal's Pastoral Letter "Called to Conversion and Holiness" - October 19, 2010)

"The importance of the graces that are received for the living and the dead by the internal and external participation of all the members of the Church in the Eucharistic assembly cannot be over-emphasized. Nor can the importance of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, of Eucharistic adoration, Eucharistic exposition, the Eucharistic holy hour, visits to the Blessed Sacrament..."
(Source: Cardinal Rigal's Homily June 19, 2008 on Vatican website - https://www.vatican.va)


Archbishop Jose G. Martin Rabago (1935 - Present)
Archbishop Emeritus of Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico
"It is urgent to undertake a renewal of nocturnal (Eucharistic) adoration that, while respecting its style, will allow for the integration of a scheme of prayer more adapted to the spiritual sensitivity of our time."


Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone (1934 to Present)
Secratary Emeritus of the Secratariat of State and
Cardinal-Bishop of Frascati and
Archbishop Emeritus of Genova {Genoa}
"(It is so important) to dispense in full the Word of God...especially to the younger generation and help to rediscover the true value of the liturgy, maintaining devotion to the Virgin Mary, the Patron Saints and Eucharistic Adoration in particular."


Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa (1934 to Present)
Cardinal-Deacon of Sant’Apollinare alle Terme Neroniane-Alessandrine and
Priest of Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
"Sometimes Eucharistic contemplation just means keeping Jesus company, being there under His gaze, giving Him the joy of contemplating us, too. Although we are but useless creatures and sinners, we are still the fruit of His passion for whom He gave His life."
(Source: Portait of Our Lord facebook site – https://www.facebook.com/PortraitofOurLord)

"To engage in Eucharistic contemplation means then, concretely, to establish a heart to heart contact with Jesus really present in the Host and, through him, to be raised to the Father in the Holy Spirit . . . Eucharistic contemplation is to look at one who is looking at me."

"It is by staying still, in silence, and possibly for long periods, before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament that we perceive what He wants from us, put aside our own plans to make way for His, and let God’s light gradually penetrate the heart and heal it."
(Source: totum dependent blog – https://totum-dependeat.blogspot.com/)


Cardinal Giovanni B. Re (1934 to Present)
Dean of the College of Cardinals and Cardinal-Bishop of Sabina-Poggio Mireto
and Cardinal-Bishop of Ostio
"Those who believe in the Eucharist never feel alone in life. They know that in the dimness and in the silence of all the Churches there is Someone who knows their name… And before the tabernacle, everyone can confide whatever is in their heart and receive comfort, strength and peace of heart."
(Source: CATHOLICSABAH website – https://www.catholicsabah.com)



Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez (1933 to Present)
Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Guadalajara, Mexico and
Cardinal-Priest of Nostra Signora di Guadalupe e San Filippo Martire
"The Church plunges into the new millennium with renewed hope, adoring the Eucharistic Jesus, who is the light and life of humanity’s pilgrimage... At the outset of this new millennium, we need a forthright and joyous proclamation of our faith in Jesus Christ, who enlightens this new phase of history: Prayer before Jesus Christ in the Eucharist."
(Source: Vatican website, 48th International Eucharistic Congress – https://www.vatican.va/)




Bishop Luca Brandolini (1933 to Present)
Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Sora-Aquino-Pontecorvo, Italy
"The abandonment of Eucharistic Adoration, or ignorance of its importance, is a grave loss that compromises the very identity of the Church."
(Source: Spirit Daily website – https://www.spiritdaily.org/)



Fr. Stefano Manelli (1933 to Present)
Italian Priest founder of the Franciscan Friars Of The Immaculate and 2 other Congregations
"The Saints, being far advanced in the practice of love, were faithful and ardent adorers of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Importantly, Eucharistic adoration has always been considered as the closest likeness we have to the eternal adoration which will make up our whole paradise. The difference lies only in the veil which hides the sight of that divine Reality of which faith gives us unwavering certainty."
(Source: Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament website – http://www.acfp2000.com/)

"Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has been the fervent devotion of the Saints. Their adoration lasted hours and hours, sometimes whole days or nights. There 'at Jesus' feet' like Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:39), keeping Him fond and intimate company, absorbed in contemplating Him, they surrendered their hearts to a pure and fragrant offering of adoring love."
(Source: Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament website – http://www.acfp2000.com/)

"The devotion to the Eucharist, together with the devotion to the Blessed Mother, is the devotion of Paradise, because it is the devotion which the Angels and Saints of Heaven also have."
(Source: Catholic Tradition website – http://www.catholictradition.org/Eucharist/most-blessed.htm)




Cardinal Francis Arinze (1932 to Present)
Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
and Cardinal-Bishop of Velletri-Segni, Italy
"All time, all history belongs to God. Every instant should be spent in adoring and praising Him and rejoicing in His presence."

"Gradually in the Church of the Latin Rite from the Middle Ages, Eucharistic devotion has developed in such forms as visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament, personal and group Holy Hour of Adoration, and Eucharistic Benediction, Procession and Congress. None of us should behave as if he or she had outgrown such manifestations of faith and had no need of them. I mention in particular Eucharistic adoration as encouraged by Pope John Paul II and by the Synod of Bishops of October 2005. Some parish priests have been surprised by their parishioners signing up for adoration at all hours of day or night. I was told about a Congregation of Sisters in Mexico which has kept up perpetual adoration for 130 years, including the years of persecution. Genuine Eucharistic faith never fails to manifest itself."
(Source: Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary website – https://www.piercedhearts.org/)

"...I saw the chapels which exposed the Blessed Sacrament all day and sometimes night. Thank God for all that, because the hours we spend in front of the Most Holy Eucharist are invaluable."

"Liturgical institutes should also help the people to better appreciate the link between, on the one hand, the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice and, on the other hand, respect for and adoration for the Holy Eucharist outside the Mass, by promoting practices such as the visit to the Blessed Sacrament, the Eucharistic Blessing, Eucharistic Adoration, processions or Eucharistic Congresses (cf.  Redemptionis Sacramentum, nn. 129-145)."
(Source: Vatican website – www.vatican.va)


Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins (1932 to Present)
Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and
Cardinal Bishop of Palestrina
"Just as Jesus stays in the sacrament after the (Eucharistic) celebration too, it is necessary for us to stay with him, (in Eucharistic) adoration that is prolonged through time."




Archbishop Alfred Clifton Hughes (1932 to Present)
Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Louisiana
"I encourage you to... visit Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Christ granted the request of his disciples on the road to Emmaus, and under the forms of bread and wine, his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity really do 'remain with us'. Of course, the disciples were only echoing the similar request that Jesus had made in Garden of Gethsemane to Peter, James and John when he asked them to remain with him, to stay and pray with him for one hour (Mt 26:37-40). Now... we have the opportunity to do what the apostles failed to do that night, to remain with Him in Eucharistic Adoration..."




Cardinal Camillo Ruini (1931 to Present)
Vicar General Emeritus of Rome, Italy and
Cardinal-Priest of Sant’Agnese fuori le mura
"In the prolonged silence of the Adoration young people have a better opportunity to have a personal relationship with Christ and God the father."




Bishop Raymond E. Goedert (1927 to Present)
Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Illinois and
Titular Bishop of Tamazeni
"Jesus has singled you out and commissioned you to attract other people who will be as devoted to the Eucharist as you are, people who will be willing to spend quality time in the presence of Jesus. The more you spread devotion to the Eucharistic Presence, the more you get others to pray for the conversion of us priests, the more will the wounds in today’s Church be healed. Pray for priests. Pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. You, the laity, have the power to save the Church!...What a mission he has entrusted to you! What a privilege that He has asked you to join with Him in saving the Church!"



Cardinal George Pell (1941 to 2023)
Prefect Emeritus of the Secretariat for the Economy and Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria Domenica Mazzarello
"The Eucharist is at the heart of our life as Catholics and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continues to be a wonderful source of grace and support for all who seek to follow Christ faithfully....A revival in Eucharistic faith and devotion has gathered strength across the world over the last two decades. By word and example Pope John Paul II has vigorously promoted adoration of the Eucharist. Shortly after his election in 1978, he established perpetual adoration in Rome. His initiatives to promote Eucharistic adoration have been taken up by many lay people who have come to realize the centrality of the Real Presence in their daily life, prayer and active involvement nourished by contemplation."
(Source: Vatican website - https://www.vatican.va)



Bishop Paul J. Swain (1943 to 2022)
Bishop Emeritus of Sioux Falls, South Dakota
"What each of us has available that can help “the loneliness, the pain and the grief depart” is prayer, and especially prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, before Our Lord. Adoration allows us to take a break from the churning around us and to focus on the powerful presence of Christ. It allows us to let go from doing or worrying and allows Him to envelop us with his love."
(Source: Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Bishop's Bulletin) website - https://www.sfcatholic.org)



Cardinal Claudio Hummes (1934 to 2022)
Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation For The Clergy and
Cardinal-Priest of Sant' Antonio da Padova in Via Merulana
In December 2007 Cardinal Claudio wrote to every Bishop in the world urging Eucharistic Adoration by the laypeople to pray for Priests. "We intend in a very particular way to entrust all priests to Mary, the Mother of the High and Eternal Priest, bringing about in the Church a movement of prayer, placing 24 hour continuous Eucharistic Adoration at the centre, so that a prayer of adoration, thanksgiving, praise, petition, and reparation, will be raised to God, incessantly and from every corner of the earth, with the primary intention of awakening a sufficient number of holy vocations to the priestly state."
(Source of quote: Dicastery for the Clergy website  – https://www.clerus.va/content/clerus/en.html)

"We can not live, we can not look the truth about ourselves without letting ourselves be looked at and generated by Christ in daily Eucharistic Adoration, and the 'Stabat' of Mary, 'Woman of the Eucharist', beneath the Cross of his Son, is the most significant example is given to us for contemplation and worship of the Divine Sacrifice."
(Source: Vatican website – www.vatican.va)




Cardinal Jozef Tomko (1924 to 2022)
President Emeritus of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses and
Cardinal-Priest of Santa Sabina
"(At your Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration) do you know how to adore? It is simple: like the simple peasant of Ars, of the parish of St. John Vianney who stayed a long time in front of the tabernacle, doing what? Nothing special – 'I look at Him and He looks at me.' You can try it: start to look and think that He is looking at you. When your gaze crosses, you are at the beginning of a new adventure in your life."




Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza (1931 to 2022)
Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Gavelston-Houston, Texas
"Devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament has a long and fruitful tradition in the Church. On many occasions I have urged that each parish have at least a weekly time set aside particularly for Eucharistic adoration. I repeat this urging with the request that time be made for adoration of Jesus in the Eucharist every day. Over twenty parishes have perpetual adoration and I hope many more will begin this beautiful devotion. If for good reason this cannot be achieved, I hope every parish will provide daily opportunities for parishioners, 'to spend time in spiritual converse, in silent adoration, in heartfelt love before Christ present in the Most Holy Sacrament'."




Bishop Joseph A. Galante (1938 to 2019)
Bishop Emeritus of Camden, New Jersey
"I want to strongly exhort our priests and people to consider encouraging and supporting the practice of praying before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It requires at times a sacrifice of time, of presence, but that sacrifice offers an added grace. It is an opportunity for us to follow the exhortation to die to ourselves so that we may live more fully in Jesus."
(Source: Portrait of Our Lord facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/PortraitofOurLord)




Bishop Gabriel Piroird (1932 to 2019)
Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Constantine, Algeria
Bishop Piroird has commented that even non-Christians, such as the Muslims in his diocese, have found comfort in Eucharist Adoration - "In the measure that they cannot participate frequently in the Eucharistic celebration, some give more time to Eucharistic Adoration; they discover the density of a Real Presence that gives strength to their daily lives."
(Source: Vatican website, Synod of October 2005 – www.vatican.va)

Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos (1929 to 2018)
President Emeritus  of the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei" and
Cardinal-Priest of Santisimmo Nome di Maria al Foro Traiano
"How do we obtain the Spirit of Christ, who makes us witnesses of his gift, if we do not return to the frequent and regular practice of individual Confession, and if we do not return to the experienced and lived celebration of the Mass, prolonged in Eucharistic adoration, which must once more have a place and time in our daily schedule?"

Cardinal Ivan Dias (1936 to 2017)
Prefect Emeritus of Congregation For The Evangelization Of Peoples and
Cardinal-Priest of Spirito Santo alla Ferratella
"The secret of (our Saints) resounding success was the many hours they spent in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. They could well be role models for priests and bishops today...As we are immersed in the darkness of spiritual and moral ills all around us, would it not be wonderful if bishops and priests all over the world would spend an hour in praise and worship before the Blessed Sacrament everyday interceding for themselves, for the faithful entrusted to their pastoral care and for the needs of the whole Church? Their flocks would certainly be edified and encouraged at seeing their shepherds practicing what they preach on devotion to the Blessed Eucharist."
(Source: Jesus Youth Bangalore Catholic Info - http://jycatholic.blogspot.com/)

Cardinal Ricardo Jamin Vidal (1931 to 2017)
Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Philippines and
Cardinal-Priest of Santi Pietro e Paolo a Via Ostiense
"Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is the solution to our problems of declining vocations."
(Source: Cardinal Vidal facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/CardinalVidal)

"If we are willing only to do what is ordinary then we can only expect God’s ordinary blessings. Only when we are willing to do the extraordinary are we guaranteed of obtaining God’s extraordinary blessings. Perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is absolutely the extraordinary effort that God is asking for today in order that He may bestow upon mankind His extraordinary blessings. When we are willing to do on earth what is done in heaven, ie., adore God perpetually, then God will create a 'new heaven' and a 'new earth'."
(Source: Cardinal Vidal facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/CardinalVidal)

Bishop Thomas Vose Daily (1927 to 2017)
Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Brooklyn, New York
"It is a time to renew our adoration of the one Lord, Jesus Christ, in the Eucharist. Jesus has loved us so much that every day, all day, he makes himself available in his Real Presence, under the appearance of bread and wine. Can you love anyone more totally than to give yourself completely to the beloved? Only God can do that, and we are his beloved."
(Source: Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament website - http://www.acfp2000.com/)

"I challenge you to adore Jesus Christ perpetually in the Eucharist...If you accept perpetual adoration, there will be a multitude of vocations...I think we have to be serious about the Eucharist and our faith...(Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration could be) the most important solitary program in this diocese now and in the future."

"The Rosary, especially prayed in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, is a powerful means of spiritual grace. In all of our efforts to promote the sanctity of human life, prayer is our first and strongest resource. May we rely upon the power of our Lord's presence in the Blessed Sacrament and the intercession of His Blessed Mother to guide and help us in fostering a greater respect for human life and an end to abortion in our society."
(Source: Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament website - http://www.acfp2000.com/)

Bishop Barry Jones (1941 to 2016)
Bishop of the Diocese of Christchurch, New Zealand
"Perpetual Adoration means that the Holy Eucharist will be placed in a monstrance on the altar all day and all night.  It will require at least two persons to make a commitment to come and adore Christ in the Eucharist for an hour each week.  Can we do it?  Can we find enough adorers, 336 per week, to carry out such a grace-filled project?  We will not know until we make the endeavour and I encourage you to consider being generous with the Lord in this way."

"We need to immerse ourselves regularly in pools of silence; noise is an aspect of modern society which can be oppressive, and an hour of silent prayer and presence before the Eucharistic Lord is a good to be treasured.  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament reminds us of what the Mass is meant to be - worship centred on God."
(Source: Perpetual Adoration in the Christchurch Diocese website – https://perpetualadoration.chchcatholic.nz/)

Bishop Javier Echevarría (Rodríguez) (1932 to 2016)
Prelate of Opus Dei
"The Christian path is essentially the path of the theological virtues: the fruit of supernatural knowledge (faith), of a loving tension towards the infinite Good that is the Blessed Trinity (hope), and of communion in charity. And its most sublime expression is Eucharistic adoration, because in it we are adoring God just where he has chosen to come closest to us. At the same time, and for the same reason, it proves to be the best means of growing in those three virtues."
(Source: Bishop Echevarria Pastoral Letter on the Year Of The Eucharist -  Opus Dei website (Copied with permission) – https://opusdei.org/en/article/pastoral-letter-for-the-year-of-the-eucharist/)

S.D. Mother Angelica (1923 to 2016)
Founder of the EWTN Catholic Television Network
"The greatest thing in the world that you can do is to encourage others and yourself to participate in perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It is the real presence of Jesus on earth. The blessings that come upon you and your family will be phenomenal."

Cardinal Francis George (1937 to 2015)
Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Chicago and Cardinal
"This is a real presence which includes every dimension of who Jesus is: body and blood, human soul and divine person. The consecrated Eucharistic species are the Lord and therefore command our adoration. We do not adore ourselves, nor the ordained priest, nor the Bible, even though these are vehicles for Christ's spiritual presence; we do adore the Eucharist, this blessed sacrifice made really present sacramentally."
(Source: Truth Himself blog - http://truthhimself.blogspot.com/)

"Our lives are transformed through frequent contact with the Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament. It is impossible to spend extended periods of time with Christ, adoring him, thanking him and uniting our wills to his, and not have him change our lives. One of the most encouraging developments in the prayer life of the archdiocese in recent years is the growth of Eucharistic Adoration in the parishes."

"Objections to Eucharistic adoration come from a misreading of history and from erroneous sacramental theology. Because adoration of the Lord in the Eucharist arose in an era when people did not receive Holy Communion every Sunday, the practice of adoration is sometimes dismissed as an aberration, a substitute for receiving Communion. This is not a Catholic reading of history. The development of devotion to the Lord in his Eucharistic presence is not a “falling away” from some imagined pristine purity; it is evidence of a greater appreciation of who the Eucharist is... Likewise, adoration of the Lord in the Sacred Host is not in competition with the liturgical action of the Sacrifice of the Mass. To speak disdainfully, as some occasionally have, of “objectifying” Christ in the Host is to speak heretically. Pope Paul VI wrote: “The Catholic Church…offers to the sacrament of the Eucharist the cult of adoration, not only during Mass, but also outside of it, reserving the consecrated hosts with the utmost care, exposing them to the solemn veneration of the faithful, and carrying them in procession” (Mysterium fidei, 56). It seems strange to me that we should lift high the book of Gospels, which remains only a book, but be embarrassed to elevate the consecrated host, which is the Body of the Lord. It is a good thing to find a prominent and visible place in the church for the blessed oils and consecrated chrism which are used in the sacraments, but they remain oil and chrism; how strange it is that we should be fighting over whether or not people should be able to spot without too much inconvenience the place where the Eucharist is reserved. The Eucharist is a mystery of faith; to dismiss Eucharistic adoration is to weaken the faith."

Cardinal Edward Egan (1932 to 2015)
Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of New York and Cardinal
"For with extraordinary solemnity they (the Council of Trent) approved and encouraged 'adoration' of the Blessed Sacrament at all times....

It follows, therefore, that just as we move into a more loving relationship with our Eucharistic Lord when we share in His sublime, sacrificial prayer at Mass, so too we move into a more loving relationship with Him when we kneel in prayer before Him present in the tabernacles of our churches and chapels. We are there. He is there. We speak to Him. He speaks to us. Love is exchanged, and the miracle of growth in holiness is worked quietly, tenderly, powerfully.

There is, of course, no one simple formula for attaining sanctity through the Eucharist. Learning more about this incredibly marvelous gift of the Lord is a first step. Frequent participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is another. And spending time in quiet, loving prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is a third."

Bishop Ruben T. Profugo (1938 to 2014)
Bishop Emeritus of Lucena, Philippines
"Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration has made my diocese safe from the violence that previously threatened to tear it apart. Both the priests and the laity credit Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration for protecting the diocese from the reign of communism and for bringing about peace and order. We put all our faith and trust in the omnipotent power of His love in the Blessed Sacrament and He did not fail us. The point I want to make is that Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is not static, but dynamically active. He is the Good Shepherd. He does not take people away from the Sacraments, but rather, He is the one who brings them back. He does not make people weary, but refreshes them and makes them strong. He is the Lord of lords and King of kings. It is not dangerous to have Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, but rather, it is dangerous not to have it, because He is the only one who can protect and restore, heal and unite us."
(Source: Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration website - https://perpetualeucharisticadoration.com/)

 

Fr. Jose Guadalupe Trevino (1928 - 2014)
"Jesus is not on His Eucharistic throne to receive the adorations of the angels and to enjoy the company of the blessed. These He finds in heaven. But He is on His Eucharistic throne to receive your adorations, to listen to your confidences, and to console and alleviate your sorrows and trials." (From "The Holy Eucharist" book)

"Do not look for other excuses. Try it, and find out by your own experience. Do not wait until tomorrow. Today, go and spend a few moments with Jesus, whether He is within the tabernacle or exposed in the monstrance. Let your weary and wounded heart be penetrated by the peaceful atmosphere of the sanctuary and your soul be bathed in the light streaming forth from the Eucharistic Sun. And, tomorrow, I am sure, you will return." (From "The Holy Eucharist" book)

"Beloved souls, in suffering and in joy, go to Jesus hidden in the Sacred Host and let the sweetness of His loving gaze fill you." (From "The Holy Eucharist" book)

"Like the sick who expose their diseased bodies to the healing rays of the sun, expose miseries, no matter what they are, to the beams of light streaming forth from the Sacred Host." (From "The Holy Eucharist" book)

"Souls dedicated to perpetual adoration, who during the hours spent before the Sacred Host would like to imitate at least from afar the fervor of those who adore in heaven, be neither surprised nor scandalized by those weaknesses: fatigue, drowsiness, dryness of spirit, and that “I can’t” feeling. If you are tempted to see in it all a sign of deficient love, you are mistaken. Much to the contrary, your displeasure at them and your battle against them are proofs of love, because they are acts of sacrifice; and suffering is the proof and nourishment of love." (From "The Holy Eucharist" book)

"The saints in heaven live in perpetual adoration, because their joy is derived from eternal contemplation.  On earth, where in some manner we must imitate the life of heaven, Christian devotion has striven to make the Sacred Host the center of perpetual contemplation and adoration…The Sacred Host perpetually exposed on its Eucharistic throne, and, before it, day and night, loving souls in adoration and contemplation! Is this not truly heaven on earth?" (From "The Holy Eucharist" book)

S.D. Vincenzo Cozzi (1926 to 2013)
Bishop Emeritus of Melfi-Rapolla-Venosa, Italy
""Eucharistic adoration is the heart of Christian life, because it is the encounter with the living Christ, who gives himself to us as food and drink, as light and love, as strength and joy."
(Source: "Eucharistic Adoration: The Heart of Christian Life" by Bishop Vincenzo Cozzi, 2019, page 9, pub. Pauline Books and Media)

S.D. Silvio Galli (1927 to 2012)
Italian Salesian Priest
"To visit the Blessed Sacrament is to visit Jesus, who is always waiting for us in the tabernacle. He is there to listen to us, to comfort us, to bless us, to inspire us, to challenge us, to transform us. He is there to offer us his grace, his mercy, his peace, his joy, his love. He is there to invite us to share in his life, his mission, his passion, his resurrection. He is there to make us his friends, his disciples, his apostles, his saints."
(Source: "Eucharistic Spirituality" bk. by Servant of God Fr, Silvio Galli, 2021, 9th chapter titled "Visits to the Blessed Sacrament", pub. Salesian Publishing House, Rome, Italy (According to Bing AI) )

Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua (1923 to 2012)
Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Cardinal
"Because Eucharistic Adoration is an intense encounter with Jesus Christ, many find that such extended periods of prayer make them somehow different, somehow better. People who pray regularly before the Blessed Sacrament become more tranquil, more patient, more charitable and more forgiving. Actually, they become more holy. No matter what attracts people to come to Eucharistic Adoration, many are learning that prayer before the Blessed Sacrament can and will transform them and make them more like Christ."

Ven. Enrichetta Beltrame Quattrocchi (1914 to 2013)
Holy Laywoman
"The visit to the Blessed Sacrament is not only a duty of gratitude and reparation, but also a source of grace and blessing. It is a privileged moment to encounter the Lord, to listen to His voice, to learn from His teachings, and to receive His strength and peace. It is also an opportunity to intercede for the Church, for the world, and for our brothers and sisters in need. The visit to the Blessed Sacrament is a powerful means of evangelization and apostolate, because it makes us more like Christ, who came to serve and not to be served."
(Source: "The Hour of Presence" booklet by Enrichetta Beltrame Quattrocchi, 1981, p.13, pub. Pontifical Council for the Laity (According to Bing AI) )

Archbishop Albert K. Obiefuna (1930 to 2011)
Archbishop Emeritus of Onitsha, Nigeria
He encouraged Euchaistic Adoration for everyone. Chapels of Perpetual Eucharist Adoration were built in the parishes of the two diocese he was privileged to shepherd. He himself became a perpetual adorer and insisted on producing enlightened and conscientious laity...
(Source: Phillipconcept Blog's - https://philipezenwatu.blogspot.com/)

Archbishop John F. Donoghue (1928 to 2011)
Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Georgia
"I just think the Lord is blessing us in this way (with many vocations) for adoring him in the Eucharist. I believe that we are doing so well in this regard (vocations) because the Lord is thanking us in a way for (all of our Eucharistic Adoration)."

"God has given us the life and death and resurrection of His Son. Now we must respond by giving ourselves devotedly to His real presence."

S.D. Giuseppe Aveni (1918 to 2010)
Italian Priest and a missionary in the Phillipines
"The tabernacle is the throne of God, where He reigns with His love and mercy. There He waits for us, there He listens to us, there He speaks to us, there He grants us His grace. Let us not neglect this precious gift, let us not be indifferent to this divine presence. Let us visit Him often, let us adore Him, let us love Him, let us make Him known and loved by all."
(Source: "Servant of God Giuseppe Aveni: A Life of Prayer and Charity" by Fr. Giuseppe Maria Zanghi, 2013, p. 87, pub. Rogationist Publications, Phillipines (According to Bing AI)  )

Bishop Michael Angelo Saltarelli (1932 to 2009)
Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Wilmington, Deleware
"When we rekindle our Eucharistic amazement and devotion (such as Eucharistic Adoration) then our marriages in turn are rekindled. Vocations to the priesthood and religious life are rekindled. A missionary spirit and evangelization are rekindled..."
(Source: Bishop Saltarelli January 25, 2008 Pastoral Letter)

Cardinal Jean-Loius Tauran (1943 to 2008)
President of the Pontifical Council For Interreligious Dialogue and Cardinal-Priest of Sant’Apollinare alle Terme Neroniane-Alessandrine
"It is before the Eucharist that man recognizes that he has need of the Other to give him new energies for life's combats. A world without (Eucharistic) adoration is a world that would be no more than the world of production, which would soon become unbreathable. A world without adoration is not only irreligious -- it is inhuman!"
(Source: I Thirst for Your Love! website – https://mseagrif.com/)

S.D. Chiara Lubich (1920 to 2008)
Laywoman, Italian Teacher, author, founded the Focolare Movement
"In silent adoration we stand before the mystery, like Mary when the shepherd came and told her what they had seen and heard: 'She kept all these things, pondering them in her heart'."

Fr. Jean Galot, S.J. (1919 to 2008)
Theologian and Professor at Gregorian University
"By His Eucharistic presence, Christ dwells in our midst. Out of love He has enriched the Church with His unceasing presence. As God in former days dwelt in the temple of Jerusalem, He now lives in our churches and chapels. He invites us to remain in close contact with Him. Through Eucharistic adoration we concentrate our attention on Him as we yield to the fascination of His invisible gaze. Opening our heart, we entrust all our petitions to Him."

Cardinal Avery Dulles (1918 to 2008)
Cardinal Deacon Emeritus of Santissimi Nome di Gesù e Maria in Via Lata and great Catholic Theologian
"Christ is present by his dynamic power and action in all the sacraments, but in the Eucharist, His presence is, in addition, substantial. For this reason, the Eucharist may be adored. It is the greatest of all sacraments."

Cardinal Eduoard Gagnon (1918 to 2007)
Cardinal and President of the Pontifical Council For The Family
"Many of the laity in all parts of the world have asked their priests to re-establish Holy Hours, the Forty Hours devotion, First Friday adoration, and perpetual or night adoration. The faithful would like to see their priests in silent (and, I would say, willing) adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, for the priest who spends time in adoration celebrates Mass with more piety and with more edification of the faith of the people."
(Source: I Thirst for Your Love! blog - https://mseagrif.com/)

"It is not true that the Council has invited priests to abandon the daily visit to the Blessed Sacrament. It invites them, rather, to 'prize daily conversation with Christ the Lord in visits of personal devotion to the most Holy Eucharist' (P.O., no. 18). "

Bl. Carlo Acutis (1991 to 2006)
Layman who had a deep devotion to the Eucharist
"To always be close to Jesus, that's my life plan."
(Source: Official website of the Carlo Acutis - Click Here)

"Jesus is my great friend and the Eucharist is my highway to Heaven."
(Source: Michael for the Triumph of the Immaculate website - https://www.michaeljournal.org/)

"Those who remain close to the Eucharist every day will go straight to Heaven."
(Source: Michael for the Triumph of the Immaculate website - https://www.michaeljournal.org/)

"By standing before the Eucharist Christ, we become Holy."
(Source: Miracles List website - http://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/Liste/mostra.html)

"If we get in front of the sun, we get sun tans . . . But when we get in front of Jesus in the Eucharist, we become Saints."
(Source: St. Joseph the Worker Parish - https://www.facebook.com/SJWParish)

Fr. Roland Huot (1910 to 2006)
Superior General Emeritus of the Congregation Of The Blessed Sacrament
"Adorers are among those towards whom Saint Joseph tends to be partial. They can count on him first of all because they are seeking a master who will teach them how to offer worship to God and share his function of helper of the Universal Church as they kneel before the Blessed Sacrament." (From the article "St. Joseph and the Adorer")

"The purpose of exposition (of the Blessed Sacrament) is not only to awaken a sense of wonderment and adoration as we dwell on the reality of the presence of Christ before us. It also brings to mind the benefits that can be derived... it is often said today that through exposition we are exposed to the Blessed Sacrament in such a way as to receive the abundant fruits that come with the life-giving Presence of Christ given for the life of the world."

Cardinal Jan Pieter Schotte (1928 to 2005)
President Emeritus of the Office Of Labor Of The Apostolic See
" If you want to have a true relation to God, you have to go down on your knees before God."

S.D. Gilberto Maria Delfina (1925 to 2004)
Brazilian priest and founder of the Fraternity Jesus The Savior (Salvists)
"To visit the Blessed Sacrament is to visit Jesus, who loves us and calls us to follow Him. It is to visit the One who gave His life for us on the cross, and who rose from the dead to give us hope. It is to visit the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It is to visit the One who is our Savior, our Lord, and our Friend."
(Source: "The Eucharist: The Heart of the Church" by Fr. Gilberto Maria Delfina, 1997,  p. 123. pub. Ignatius Press (According to Bing AI) )

Fr. Richard Foley, S.J. (1922 to 2003)
Jesuit Priest and Catholic author
"We pay the Blessed Sacrament the supreme homage of divine adoration and worship (latria), because He who is there present is the God of heaven and earth, the all-holy Word-made-flesh, our first beginning and our last end."

Ven. Cardinal F.X. Nguyen Van Thuan (1928 to 2002)
Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria della Scalla & Archbishop of Saigon, Vietnam
Eucharistic Adoration brings great consolation especially during times of extreme hardship. The Servant Of God, Cardinal Nyuyen Van Thuan, was imprisoned by the communists in Vietnam for 13 years. Under the cover of darkness, unbeknownst to his captors, he managed to say Mass every night for his fellow prisoners and even held Eucharistic Adoration. He stated: "At night, the prisoners took turns and spent time in adoration. The Blessed Sacrament helped tremendously. Even Buddhists and other non-Christians were converted. The strength of the love of Jesus is irresistible. The darkness of the prison turned into light, the seed germinated silently in the storm."

S.D. Cardinal José Alí Lebrún Moratinos (1919 to 2001)
Cardinal-Priest of San Pancrazio & Archbishop Emeritus of Caracas, Santiago de Venezuela
"Visiting the Blessed Sacrament is a way of being with the Lord, of listening to his word, of offering him our needs and intentions, of thanking him for his gifts, of adoring his majesty, of praising his goodness, of asking his pardon, of imploring his help, of expressing our love, of strengthening our faith, of nourishing our hope, of increasing our charity."
(Source: "Eucaristía y vida cristiana: reflexiones y orientaciones pastorales" bk. by Archbishop José Alí Lebrún Moratinos, 1986, p.49, pub. Episcopal Conference of Venezuela (According to Bing AI) )