Happy 2008!

Like many of you, I have made quite a few New Year's resolutions. One week has gone by and already a few of them have fallen by the wayside.

If you still have room on your list, here is a New Year's resolution from Our Blessed Mother. She said (to Alex Avendano), "Practice the habit of going to Adoration at least one hour a week."

Admittedly, initially I started going just because I really didn't want to "argue" with Our Blessed Mother about this "request". Part of me wondered what I was going to do for a whole hour, since I struggle to pray even a short prayer daily. I thought about the friends I have. I don't seem to have a problem talking with them for an hour.

So what is the difference? After some thought, I realized that I had known them for so long that I had forgotten the awkwardness of our initial conversations. Also, the relationship was built on more than just the self centered, and fleeting "I need this, this and this. Amen." type conversations I always had with God. If I was ever going to develop a real relationship with God, I was going to have to be serious about it and make a real commitment of time. So I decided to just plunge forward and try it. While, I haven't always been getting to Adoration as consistently as I would like, still I think it is worth it for me. So if you haven't already tried this, consider it. Let me know what what your experiences are.

A friend of mine, gave me a beginner's guide to Adoration. Unlike me, I am sure most of you already have been doing this for years and know all this. If so, skip down to the bottom where it says "Things to do during Eucharistic Adoration".
Fr. Groeschel has some great suggestions.

Eucharistic Adoration
Reprinted from, Our Sunday Visitor

"We have come to do him homage."
Those words, spoken by the Magi from the East as they searched for the infant Jesus, resound through the centuries to be echoed in the heart of every person who makes a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. The presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is as real today as the infant Jesus was to the Wise Men who sought Him by following a star rising in the East.

"Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us." - St. Alphonsus Liguori

Pope John Paul II said, "Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is... an important daily practice and becomes and inexhaustible source of holiness..."

Brief History of Perpetual Adoration
Although the Real Presence (of God in the Eucharist) has been recognized since the time of the apostles, evidence shows that perpetual adoration may have begun in the 6th century in the Cathedral of Lugo, Spain. By the 12th Century, Thomas á Becket is known to have prayed for King Henry II before the "majesty of the body of Christ. By the 16th century the devotion known a forty hours had developed. In 19th century, perpetual adoration developed in communities of contemplative nuns. The devotion eventually spread in parishes throughout the world. For a more detailed history, go to www.newadvent.org Look under "A" for Adoration, "B" for Blessed Sacrament or "P" for Perpetual Adoration.

What is Eucharistic Adoration?
Eucharistic adoration is the act of worshipping God as He is present in the consecrated Eucharist. Since the Las Supper, when Jesus broke the bread and distributed the wine, saying, "This is my Body" and "This is my Blood", Catholics have believed that the bread and wine are no longer merely baked wheat and fermented grape juice, but the actual living presence of the Jesus. Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament, in prayer and devotion, is exactly the same as spending time before the living God. Adoration occurs whenever someone kneels in front of the tabernacle that contains the Blessed Sacrament, genuflects toward a tabernacle, bows before receiving the Blessed Sacrament at Mass, or in a more focused way, when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
The devotion begins with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. A priest or deacon removes the host from the tabernacle, puts it in the monstrance and places the monstrance on the altar for adoration. Adoration ceremonies traditionally include Scripture readings, hymns, prayers, and time for silent adoration.

Things to do during Eucharistic Adoration
Fr. Benedict Groeschel points out in In the Presence of Our Lord: The History, Theology and Psychology of Eucharistic Devotion that there are "four kinds of prayer most appropriate in the presence of the Eucharist, namely adoration and praise, thanksgiving, repentance and trusting intercession." Here are suggestions for what to do during private Eucharistic adoration.

1) Pray the Psalms or the Liturgy of the Hours
Whether you are praising, giving thanks, asking for forgiveness, or seeking an answer, you'll find appropriate psalm The ancient prayer of the Church called the Liturgy of the Hours presents an excellent way to pray through the Book of Psalms throughout the year.

2) Recite the "Jesus Prayer"
Say "Lord Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner" repeatedly as you quiet your heart and mind.

3) Meditate using Scripture
Choose a passage from the Bible. Read the words and ask God to let the passage speak to you. Pay special attention to anything that strikes you and ask God what He wishes for you to draw from that passage.

4) Read the life of a saint and pray with him or her
Most holy men and women have had a great devotion to Our Lord in the Eucharist. Therese of Lisieux, Catherine of Siena, Francis of Assisi, Thomas Aquinas, Peter Eymard, Dorothy Day, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Baroness Catherine de Hueck are just a few. Read about them and pray their prayers before the Blessed Sacrament.

5) Pour out your heart to Christ and adore Him
Speak to Jesus, aware that you are in His presence, and tell Him all that comes to your mind Listen for His response. Pray the prayer that St. Francis instructed his brothers to pray whenever they were before the Blessed Sacrament: "I adore you, O Christ, present here and in all the churches of the world, for your holy cross you have redeemed the world."

6) Ask for forgiveness and intercede for others
Think of those who have hurt you and request a special blessing for them. Ask God to forgive you for all the times you have neglected or hurt someone else. Bring before the Blessed Sacrament all those who have asked you to pray for them. Ask the Lord to address their concerns.

7) Pray the Rosary
Pope John Paul II reminds us, "... is not the enraptured gaze of Mary as she contemplated the face of the newborn Christ and cradled Him in her arms that unparalleled model of love which should inspire us every time we receive Eucharistic communion?" Ask Mary to join you as you gaze Christ in the Eucharist and as you pray the Rosary.

8) Sit quietly and just "be" in the presence of God
Think of a visit to the Blessed Sacrament as coming to see your best friend. Sit quietly and enjoy being in each other's company. Instead of talking to the Lord, try listening to Him.

*****

Prayer To The Blessed Sacrament
Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
I adore Thee, O Most Sacred Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.
Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, furnace of divine charity, give peace to the world.
Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, increase in us faith, hope and charity.
Blessed and praised be the Sacred Heart and the Precious Blood of Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, model of the priestly heart, have mercy on us.
O Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, have mercy on us.
May the Most Holy Sacrament be forever praise and adored.
O Jesus, Lamb of God, continuously offered in sacrifice on the altars of the world, I unite myself to Thee.
Thou art Christ the Son of the living God.

(An indulgence was granted when said before the Blessed Sacrament.)

*****

To find a site for adoration near you, go to: www.therealpresence.org

Suggested literature:
The Church and the Eucharist, Pope John Paul II 2003 encyclical

In the Presence of OUr Lord: The History, Theology, and Psychology of Eucharistic Devotion, by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., and James Monti

Praying in the Presence of Our Lord with the Saints, by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., and James Monti

Praying in the Presence of Our Lord with St. Thomas Aquinas, by Mike Aquilina

Praying in the Presence of Our Lord with Fulton J. Sheen, by Michael Dubruiel

Praying in the Presence of Our Lord for the Holy Souls, by Susan Tassone

Praying in the Presence of Our Lord with Dorothy Day, by David Scott

Medjugorje Message
December 25, 2007 - Marija

"Dear children!
With great joy I bring you the King of Peace for Him to bless you with His blessing. Adore Him and give time to the Creator for whom your heart yearns. Do not forget that you are passers-by on this earth and that things can give you small joys, while through my Son, eternal life is given to you. That is why I am with you, to lead you towards what your heart yearns for. Thank you for having responded to my call."

December 25, 2007 - Jakov

At the last daily apparition to Jakov Colo on September 12th, 1998, Our Lady told him that henceforth he would have one apparition a year, every December 25th, on Christmas Day. This is also how it was this year. The apparition began at 2:29 pm and lasted 6 minutes. Our Lady gave the following message:

"Dear children!

Today, in a special way I call you to become open to God and for each of your hearts today to become a place of Jesus' birth. Little children, through all this time that God permits me to be with you, I desire to lead you to the joy of your life. Little children, the only true joy of your life is God. Therefore, dear children, do not seek joy in things of this earth but open your hearts and accept God. Little children, everything passes, only God remains in your heart. Thank you for having responded to my call."

***

“ANNE” – DIRECTION FOR OUR TIMES
January 1, 2008

Jesus: I am always with you, dear apostles. You move through your days of service learning greater and greater lessons in holiness. I am the teacher. When you offer Me your day, you pledge to remain with Me throughout it. This in no way diminishes the need for you to experience your humanity with all of its joys and sorrows. On the contrary, it is through your daily joys and sorrows that you are learning the lessons of love. You might think that your cross is heavy and perhaps in truth the cross that you carry is heavy. You might think that you would proceed more easily or more swiftly without the cross. This is possible, My friends, but to what purpose? Surely, I,Jesus Christ, could have advanced more quickly and comfortably to Calvary without the jeering of the crowds, the physical infirmities or the weight of the cross. This is an obvious statement. But you were destined to be saved by My Passion. The whole world benefited by My decision to accept God’s will, which included suffering. In the same way, the world is benefiting from your decision to accept the crosses in your life. You offer Me your day. This is such a simple thing from the eyes of the world and yet, from the eyes of heaven, this is a very large offering indeed. Do not be afraid of the cross in each day. Do not think that your cross will interfere with the plan that I have for you. The truth is the opposite. The plan that I have for you includes suffering, and your holiness will increase because of your crosses. I do not rejoice in the suffering of My friends. No, I do not. I do rejoice in the willingness of My friends to suffer, for Me and with Me. This will never change. My gratitude toward each of My beloved apostles increases as each day’s commitment flows into the past. A stream of allegiance pledges trail behind you as you proceed into tomorrow. Be at peace in your crosses, I beg you, because your crosses benefit you in ways that you cannot understand. It must be enough for you that the Saviour understands. If you are weary, do not be afraid. You will have what you require to cope and I will sustain you. I was weary, also. If you falter, do not be discouraged. I faltered, also, and I will lift you back to your feet. There are no circumstances that should cause you to be anxious because just as you pledge your allegiance to the Father, I, the Saviour, pledge My allegiance to you. I will take care of you, My beloved ones. You will not be abandoned.