Explanatory note to help promote the practice of
continuous
Eucharistic adoration[1]
in dioceses
(parishes, rectories, chapels, monasteries, convents,
seminaries)
for the benefit of priests and priestly vocations
In his Apostolic
Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis,
the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI concretized the perennial teaching of the
Church on the centrality of Eucharistic
adoration in ecclesial life by a direct appeal addressed to all pastors,
bishops, priests, as well as the People of God, for perpetual Eucharistic
adoration: “With the Synod Assembly, therefore, I heartily
recommend to the Church's pastors and to the People of God the practice
of Eucharistic adoration, both individually and in community. (194) Great
benefit would ensue from a suitable catechesis explaining the importance
of this act of worship, which enables the faithful to experience the liturgical
celebration more fully and more fruitfully. Wherever possible, it would be
appropriate, especially in densely populated areas, to set aside specific
churches or oratories for perpetual adoration. I also recommend that, in
their catechetical training, and especially in their preparation for First Holy
Communion, children be taught the meaning and the beauty of spending time with
Jesus, and helped to cultivate a sense of awe before his presence in the
Eucharist. (Sacramentum Caritatis, n. 67)
In order to support the Holy
Father’s appeal, 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. Just as there are Marian Shrines, with
rectors in charge of that particular ministry and suitable for its specific
needs, it is also possible to have “Eucharistic shrines” – with priests in
charge of them – which radiate and foster the special love that the Church has for
the Holy Eucharist, worthily celebrated and continuously adored. Such ministry within the presbyterate will
remind all diocesan priests, as Benedict XVI said, that “the secret of their sanctification lies precisely in
the Eucharist. (…) The priest must be first and
foremost an adorer who contemplates the Eucharist” (Angelus, 18 September 2005);
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 effort to
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. For example:
·
perpetual Eucharistic
adoration throughout the 24 hour day;
·
extended Eucharistic
adoration, beginning in the early hours of the morning and continuing until the
evening;
·
daily Eucharistic
adoration during specific hours;
·
Eucharistic
adoration during one or more days of the week during specific hours;
·
Eucharistic
adoration for special circumstances, such as feast days and anniversaries.
The Congregation for the Clergy
expresses its gratitude in advance to those Ordinaries who will become
promoters of this project, one that is certain to renew the spirituality of both
the clergy and the People of God in their particular Churches.
In order to more closely follow
the development of this important appeal of the Holy Father, the individual
Ordinaries interested in the initiative are kindly requested to keep this
Dicastery informed of developments related to continuous Eucharistic adoration
in their dioceses, indicating especially which priests and places are involved
in this important apostolate.
Should further clarification on
this matter be necessary, the Congregation for the Clergy stands ready to provide
it.
From the
Vatican, 8 December 2007
Solemnity
of the of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
[1] What is meant by “continual
Eucharistic adoration” is not only 24 hours a day uninterrupted adoration, but
also continuous adoration from the first hours of the morning until the last
hours of the evening. The latter, in fact, may be more viable for priests and
faithful living in small communities. Obviously, where the number of faithful
is larger and willing, the possibility of exposing the Eucharist without
interruption might be explored.