The Holy Eucharist

The Second Pillar

This year a second pillar has been added to our Spiritual Arms; the source and summit of our Catholic Faith, the Holy Eucharist. Organizers are encouraged to discuss with their Priests the incorporation of Eucharistic Devotion between the conclusion of Novena for Our Nation on October 7th and Rosary Coast to Coast on October 13th.

Bishop John Keenan, who has been a great leader for the British Isles’ “Rosary on the Coast,” adds his endorsement of this addition of Eucharistic Devotion:

“I am glad your Rosary Coast to Coast, taking place on the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima, is also adding to the pillar of devotion to Our Lady the second pillar of adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  It reminds me of the prophetic dream of Saint John Bosco, where he saw the Church as a ship buffeted by a terrifying sea storm and, at the same time, besieged by a miriad of boats attacking it on all sides.  In the end a Pope emerged to steer the ship to a safe harbour protected by two pillars, one bearing Our Lady and the other Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  Please God your initiative on October 2019 presages the beginning of the fulfilment of this vision.”

Fr. John Hardon taught that what’s needed is “The Conversion of America Through the Eucharist.”

Levels of Eucharistic Adoration

We want everyone to participate in offering Eucharistic Devotion during this week of October 7 to October 13. While we ask everyone to do all they can to work with their priests to offer special times during this week, we also want those who are not able to do this to join with everyone in one way or another. To that end, we offer a variety of options:

Homebound Adoration –You may not be physically able to travel to churches or chapels offering Eucharistic Adoration. Thanks to the internet, there are several places that offer live-streamed 24/7 Perpetual Adoration. While you are free to search the internet, we recommend, as an example, the Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Marytown, IL. St. Maximilian Kolbe is one of the Patrons of Rosary Coast to Coast. The link to the live-stream is HERE.

Adore before or after Mass –You may have a very challenging schedule, so making a special trip to a church or chapel may be too difficult. In this case, we recommend coming early and/or staying later when you go to Mass sometime from October 7 – October 13. While the Blessed Sacrament may not be exposed, adoration may take place before Our Lord present in the tabernacle.

Adore at an open church –You may choose to find a time or times for Eucharistic Adoration from October 7 – October 13 when your local church is open. Again, while the Blessed Sacrament may not be exposed, adoration may take place before Our Lord present in the tabernacle.

Schedule an Hour at an Adoration Chapel – You may have an Adoration Chapel or Church offering Adoration, that schedule adorers. You may choose to get on the schedule at one of these Adoration sites one or more times from October 7 – October 13.

Day of Adoration – You may want to ask your priest if your parish might want to offer a day set aside from October 7 – October 13 for all day, or even 24-hour Adoration. Be willing to volunteer.

40 Hours Devotion –You may want to reach out to your priest to see if your parish might want to offer the traditional practice of 40 Hours Devotion. The 40 hours in the term 40 Hours Devotion refer to the number of hours that the faithful believe Jesus was absent from the world. The period of time from his death on Good Friday at around 3 p.m. to his Resurrection on Easter morning at about 7 a.m. is 40 hours. Here are some links for possible ways to plan 40 Hours Devotion in your Parish.

7-Days of Perpetual Adoration –You may want to approach your priest to see if Adoration may be offered for the entire week from October 7 – October 13. The Rosary Congress has been promoting and assisting with these 7-Days of Perpetual Adoration since 1979. These are held throughout the United States, and they are very powerful. You can find more information at rosarycongressusa.usa.org

Eucharistic Adoration Documents

40 Hours Devotion – Litaniae in Expositione XL Horarum – Click Here to Download

Rubrics for 40 Hours – 1967 document referenced by my Pastor for our Parish’s 40 Hour Devotions the past several years – Click Here to Download

Missa Cantata Example – the worship aid provided by my Pastor for the sung Latin High Mass during the 2018 40 Hours Devotion.  Note that the Mass was on All Souls Day – Click Here to Download