Vatican Documents & U.S. Bishops Documents

Quotes On The Importance Of Eucharistic Adoration

 
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image Jan. 25, 1983 - The Code of Canon Law
"Christ’s faithful are to hold the blessed Eucharist in the highest honour. They should take an active part in the celebration of the most august Sacrifice of the Mass; they should receive the sacrament with great devotion and frequently, and should reverence it with the greatest adoration." (Canon 898)

"Unless a grave reason prevents it, the church in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved should be open to the faithful for at least some hours each day so that they are able to spend time in prayer before the Most Blessed Sacrament."(Canon 937)


image Dec. 17, 2001 - Directory on Popular Piety & the Liturgy
(Principles & Guidlines)
The following quote is from #164 of this book which was produced by the Vatican's "Congregation For Divine Worship And The Discipline Of The Sacraments" in December 2001:

"Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a form of Eucharistic cult which is particularly widespread in the Church and earnestly recommended to her Pastors and faithful. Its initial form derives from Holy Thursday and the altar of repose, following the celebration of the Coena Domini Mass. This adoration is a most apt way of expressing the connection between the celebration of the memorial of the Lord's Sacrifice and his continued presence in the Sacrament of the Altar. The reservation of the Sacred Species, so as to be able to administer Viaticum to the sick at any time, encouraged the practice among the faithful of recollection before the tabernacle and to worship Christ present in the Sacrament(175).

Indeed, this worship of adoration has a sound and firm foundation," [109] especially since faith in the Lord's real presence has as its natural consequence the outward and public manifestation of that belief. Therefore, the devotion prompting the faithful to visit the blessed sacrament draws them into an ever deeper share in the paschal mystery and leads them to respond gratefully to the gift of him who through his humanity constantly pours divine life into the members of his Body. [110] Abiding with Christ the Lord, they enjoy his intimate friendship and pour out their hearts before him for themselves and for those dear to them and they pray for the peace and salvation of the world. Offering their entire lives with Christ to the Father in the Holy Spirit, they derive from this sublime colloquy an increase of faith, hope, and charity. Thus they foster those right dispositions that enable them with due devotion to celebrate the memorial of the Lord and receive frequently the bread given us by the Father.(176)".


image June 1, 1992 - The Handbook of Indulgences
(Norms & Grants)
"A partial indulgence is granted for the faithful, who visit the Most Blessed Sacrament to adore it; a plenary indulgence (under the usual conditions) is granted if the visit lasts for at least one half an hour."("Enchiridion of Indulgences," N. 8, 10)


image Aug. 15, 1997 - Catechism of the Catholic Church
"The Liturgy of the Hours, which is like an extension of the Eucharistic celebration, does not exclude but rather in a complementary way calls forth the various devotions of the People of God, especially adoration and worship of the Blessed Sacrament." (CCC, 1178)

"The tabernacle is to be situated 'in churches in a most worthy place with the greatest honor'. The dignity, placing, and security of the Eucharistic tabernacle should foster adoration before the Lord really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar." (CCC, 1183)

"The Catholic Church has always offered, and still 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 processions." (CCC, 1378)

"The tabernacle was first intended for the reservation of the Eucharist in a worthy place so that it could be brought to the sick and those absent outside of Mass. As faith in the real presence of Christ in his Eucharist deepened, the Church became conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Lord present under the Eucharistic species. It is for this reason that the tabernacle should be located in an especially worthy place in the church and should be constructed in such a way that it emphasizes and manifests the truth of the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament." (CCC, 1379)

"The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet him in adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our adoration never cease." (CCC, 1380)

"Because Christ himself is present in the sacrament of the altar, he is to be honored with the worship of adoration. "To visit the Blessed Sacrament is . . . a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a duty of adoration toward Christ our Lord" (Paul VI, MF 66)." (CCC, 1418)

"Adoration is the first act of the virtue of religion. To adore God is to acknowledge him as God, as the Creator and Savior, the Lord and Master of everything that exists, as infinite and merciful Love. 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve,' says Jesus, citing Deuteronomy." (CCC, 2096)

"To adore God is to acknowledge, in respect and absolute submission, the "nothingness of the creature" who would not exist but for God. To adore God is to praise and exalt him and to humble oneself, as Mary did in the Magnificat, confessing with gratitude that he has done great things and holy is his name. The worship of the one God sets man free from turning in on himself, from the slavery of sin and the idolatry of the world." (CCC, 2097)

"The acts of faith, hope, and charity enjoined by the first commandment are accomplished in prayer. Lifting up the mind toward God is an expression of our adoration of God: prayer of praise and thanksgiving, intercession and petition. Prayer is an indispensable condition for being able to obey God's commandments. " (We) ought always to pray and not lose heart." (CCC. 2098)

"It is right to offer sacrifice to God as a sign of adoration and gratitude, supplication and communion: 'Every action done so as to cling to God in communion of holiness, and thus achieve blessedness, is a true sacrifice'." (CCC, 2099)

"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." (CCC, 2628)

"The most appropriate places for prayer are personal or family oratories, monasteries, places of pilgrimage, and above all the church, which is the proper place for liturgical prayer for the parish community and the privileged place for Eucharistic adoration." (CCC, 2696).

"Contemplation is a gaze of faith, fixed on Jesus. “I look at him and he looks at me”: this is what a certain peasant of Ars in the time of his holy curé [St. John Vianney] used to say while praying before the tabernacle.This focus on Jesus is a renunciation of self. His gaze purifies our heart; the light of the countenance of Jesus illumines the eyes of our heart and teaches us to see everything in the light of his truth and his compassion for all men. Contemplation also turns its gaze on the mysteries of the life of Christ." (CCC, 2715)


image June 28, 2005 - Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
(Source: Vatican website – www.vatican.va.com)
286. What kind of worship is due to the sacrament of the Eucharist?
"The worship due to the sacrament of the Eucharist, whether during the celebration of the Mass or outside it, is the worship of latria, that is, the adoration given to God alone. The Church guards with the greatest care Hosts that have been consecrated. She brings them to the sick and to other persons who find it impossible to participate at Mass. She also presents them for the solemn adoration of the faithful and she bears them in processions. The Church encourages the faithful to make frequent visits to adore the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle."


image United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

(Source: United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops – https://www.usccb.org/)
"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."

November 2021 - USCCB Document "The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of Christ"
(Source: United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops PDF – https://www.usccb.org/)
33. "Our gratitude is also expressed in our worship of the Blessed Sacrament outside of Mass. These forms of worship are all intrinsically related to the Eucharistic celebration...We rejoice in the growing numbers of the faithful who pray in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, a testament of faith in the Real Presence of the Lord in the Eucharist. We encourage this devotion, which helps all of us to be formed by the self-giving love we behold in the Lord’s gift of himself in the Eucharist."


image Congregation (Diacestry) For The Clergy (CC)

December 8, 2007 - CC Document "Promotion of Continuous Eucharistic Adoration in Diocese for the Benefit of Priests and Priestly Vocations"
(Source: United States Confereence Of Catholic Bishops – https://www.usccb.org/)
"In order to support (Pope Benedict XVI's) appeal (for Eucharistic Adoration in his Apostolic Exhortation 'Sacramentum Caritatis'), the Congregation for the Clergy, in its own solicitousness for the presbyterate, proposes that:

  1. Each diocese appoint a priest who will devote himself full time – as far as possible – to the specific ministry of promoting Eucharistic adoration and coordinating this important service in the diocese.Dedicating himself generously to this ministry, this priest will be able to live this particular dimension of liturgical, theological, spiritual and pastoral life, possibly in a place specifically set aside for this purpose by the bishop himself, where the faithful will benefit from perpetual Eucharistic adoration...;

  2. Specific places are to be reserved for continuous Eucharistic adoration.To that end, parish priests, rectors, and chaplains are encouraged to introduce the practice of Eucharistic adoration in their communities, both personally and communally,in a collective effortto enhance prayer life.Let everyone be involved, beginning with children preparing for First Holy Communion;

  3. The dioceses that are interested in this project might look for appropriate donations in order to organize continuous Eucharistic adoration in the seminary, in parishes, rectories, oratories, shrines, monasteries, and convents. Divine Providence will surely assist in finding benefactors who are willing to contribute toward suitable works to set in motion this project of Eucharistic renewal for the particular Churches, specifically: the construction or adaptation of a place of worship for adoration within a large worship building; the purchase of a solemn monstrance or a noble liturgical vestment; and the funding of liturgical-pastoral-spiritual material for such promotion;

  4. Initiatives directed at local clergy, especially those relating to the continuing formation of priests, should be always permeated by a Eucharistic spirit, specifically devoting a suitable time to the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, so that it may become– together with the Holy Mass – the driving force for each individual and communitarian undertaking;

  5. The modalities for Eucharistic adoration in different places may be diverse, according to the circumstances..."


May 30, 2008 - CC "Letter on the occasion of the World Day Of Prayer for the Sanctification Of Priests"
(Source: Vatican website – https://www.vatican.va/)
"We cannot live, we cannot look at the truth about ourselves without letting ourselves be looked at and generated by Christ in daily Eucharistic Adoration,..."


image Congregation (Diacestry) For Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (CDWDS)


May 25, 1967 - CDWDS Document "Eucharisticum Mysterium"-Instruction on Eucharistic worship
50. "The devotion which leads the faithful to visit the Blessed Sacrament draws them into an ever deeper participation of the Paschal Mystery ... Dwelling with Christ our Lord, they enjoy his intimate friendship and pour out their hearts before him for themselves and for their dear ones, and pray for the peace and salvation of the world. They offer their entire lives with Christ to the Father in the Holy Spirit, and receive in this wonderful exchange an increase in faith, hope and charity."


June 21, 1973 - CDWDS Document "Eucharistiae Sacramentum" -  Promulgating the editio typica of rites for holy communion and worship of the eucharist outside Mass
(Source: The Apostolic C: Drive blogspot – https://see-drive.blogspot.com/)
"In turn, eucharistic reservation, which became customary in order to permit the reception of communion, led to the practice of adoring this sacrament and offering to it the worship of latria that is due to God. This cult of adoration is based on valid and solid principles; furthermore, the Church itself has instituted public and communal forms of this worship."

5. "The reservation of the sacrament for the sick led to the praiseworthy practice of adoring this heavenly food that is reserved in churches. This cult of adoration has a sound and firm foundation, especially since faith in the real presence of the Lord has as its natural consequence the outward, public manifestation of that belief."

79. "The eucharistic sacrifice is the source and culmination of the whole Christian life. Therefore devotion, both private and public, toward the eucharist even outside Mass that conforms to the norms laid down by lawful authority is strongly advocated."

80. "When the faithful adore Christ present in the sacrament, they should remember that this presence derives from the sacrifice and has as its purpose both sacramental and spiritual communion."

80. "Therefore, the devotion prompting the faithful to visit the blessed sacrament draws them into an ever deeper share in the paschal mystery and leads them to respond gratefully to the gift of him who through his humanity constantly pours divine life into the members of his Body. Abiding with Christ the Lord, they enjoy his intimate friendship and pour out their hearts before him for themselves and for those dear to them and they pray for the peace and salvation of the world. Offering their entire lives with Christ to the Father in the Holy Spirit, they derive from this sublime colloquy an increase of faith, hope, and charity. Thus they foster those right dispositions that enable them with due devotion to celebrate the memorial of the Lord and receive frequently the bread given us by the Father."

82. "Exposition of the holy eucharist, either in a ciborium or in a monstrance, leads us to acknowledge Christ's marvelous presence in the sacrament and invites us to the spiritual union with him that culminates in sacramental communion. Therefore it is a strong encouragement toward the worship owed to Christ in spirit and in truth."

83. "If exposition of the blessed sacrament goes on for a day or for several successive days, it should be interrupted during the celebration of Mass, unless it is celebrated in a chapel separate from the area of exposition and at least some of the faithful remain in adoration."


April 17, 1980 - CDWDS Instruction "Inaestimabile Donum" -  Concerning Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery
(Source: Papal Encyclicals Online website – https://www.papalencyclicals.net)
21. "Public and private devotion to the Holy Eucharist outside Mass also is highly recommended: for the presence of Christ, who is adored by the faithful in the Sacrament, derives from the sacrifice and is directed towards sacramental and spiritual Communion."


Mar. 25, 2004 - CDWDS Instruction "Redemptionis Sacramentum" -  On certain matters to be observed or avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist
(Source: Vatican website – www.vatican.va.com)
129. The celebration of the Eucharist in the Sacrifice of the Mass is truly the origin and end of the worship given to the Eucharist outside the Mass. Furthermore the sacred species are reserved after Mass principally so that the faithful who cannot be present at Mass, above all the sick and those advanced in age, may be united by sacramental Communion to Christ and his Sacrifice which is offered in the Mass.” [219] In addition, this reservation also permits the practice of adoring this great Sacrament and offering it the worship due to God. Accordingly, forms of adoration that are not only private but also public and communitarian in nature, as established or approved by the Church herself, must be greatly promoted. [220]

134. "The worship of the Eucharist outside the Sacrifice of the Mass is a tribute of inestimable value in the life of the Church. Such worship is closely linked to the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice.” [227] Therefore both public and private devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist even outside Mass should be vigorously promoted, for by means of it the faithful give adoration to Christ, truly and really present, [228] the “High Priest of the good things to come” [229] and Redeemer of the whole world. “It is the responsibility of sacred Pastors, even by the witness of their life, to support the practice of Eucharistic worship and especially exposition of the Most Holy Sacrament, as well as prayer of adoration before Christ present under the eucharistic species.” [230].

135. The faithful “should not omit making visits during the day to the Most Holy Sacrament, as a proof of gratitude, a pledge of love, and a debt of the adoration due to Christ the Lord who is present in it.” [231] For the contemplation of Jesus present in the Most Holy Sacrament, as a communion of desire, powerfully joins the faithful to Christ, as is splendidly evident in the example of so many Saints. [232] ‘Unless there is a grave reason to the contrary, a church in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved should be open to the faithful for at least some hours each day, so that they can spend time in prayer before the Most Holy Sacrament.

136. The Ordinary should diligently foster Eucharistic adoration, whether brief or prolonged or almost continuous, with the participation of the people. For in recent years in so many places “adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament is also an important daily practice and becomes an inexhaustible source of holiness”, although there are also places “where there is evident almost a total lack of regard for worship in the form of eucharistic adoration.” [234] 


Oct. 15, 2004 - CDWDS Document-Year of the Eucharist (Suggestions and Proposals)
(Source: Vatican website – www.vatican.va.com)
13. "The admirable practice of gathering in prayer before the tabernacle, to adore Christ truly present therein, was born of the need to reserve the Lord’s Sacred Body for Communion for the sick and infirm. Recommended by the Church to her Pastors and her faithful, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is highly expressive of the bond between the celebration of the Lord’s Sacrifice and his permanent presence in the consecrated Host (cf. De sacra communione, 79-100; Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 25; Mysterium fidei;  Redemptionis Sacramentum, 129-141)...By remaining in prayer before the Lord Jesus, truly living in the Blessed Sacrament, not only is our union with him matured, but we are better disposed to more fruitfully celebrate it and to prolong those existential and reverential attitudes raised by it."


image Synod Of Bishops (2018 - XV Ordinary General Assembly)

Oct. 27, 2018 - Synods' final document on the topic of "Young People, The Faith And Vocational Discernment"
(Source: Vatican website – www.vatican.va.com)
134. "It is equally important to help the young discover the value of Eucharistic adoration as a prolongation of the celebration, in which to live contemplation and silent prayer."


image Eucharistic Congress

2008 - 49th International Eucharistic Congress, Quebec, Canada
(Source: Vatican website – www.vatican.va.com)
I. Reflections and Recommendations - 1. Eucharistic Spirituality - In summary: "The development of a Eucharistic spirituality must be encouraged in all baptized persons. This spirituality links the liturgical action of the Mass – prolonged in Eucharistic worship outside of Mass – to Christian commitment at the heart of the world. It is fully centred on the paschal mystery accomplished once and for all in Jesus and continuously actualized in the Church of all time."

I. Reflections and Recommendations - 3. Eucharistic Worship outside of Mass - In summary: "The quality of contemplation, adoration and attention to the presence of Christ that characterizes Eucharistic devotion outside of Mass must be found again in the celebration of the Mass. Similarly, the multiple dimensions of the liturgical celebration must impart form to the practices of Eucharistic worship outside Mass: community participation, listening to the Word of God, intercession, offering, sacrifice, thanksgiving, commitment to the Church’s mission at the heart of the world."

II. Reflections and Hopes of the Report Commission - 8. Relationship: Eucharist-Adoration outside of Mass: "As a Commission, we feel that pastoral work is needed, in the words of Archbishop Tagle, to ensure Christian people more clearly perceive that “the sacrifice or spiritual worship of Jesus on the cross is his supreme act of adoration” and “in the Eucharist, we join Jesus in adoring the God of life. "Adoration outside of Mass would be poorly understood if it were not experienced as an extension of this supreme adoration"."


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