Eucharistic Adoration—Ask Father Wee

Father Damien Wee

What is Eucharistic Adoration?

Simply put, Eucharistic Adoration is spending time with Jesus who is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. Pope Benedict recently said that Eucharistic Adoration “is simply the natural consequence of the Eucharistic celebration, which is itself the Church’s supreme act of adoration. The act of adoration outside Mass prolongs and intensifies all that takes place during the liturgical celebration.”

Why do people pray in Eucharistic Adoration?

If we really believe that the Holy Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, which we do as Catholics, then why would we not want to spend time with Jesus? This is the same Jesus who walked the earth 2,000 years ago. When we read the Gospels, we see how people’s lives were dramatically transformed when they encountered Jesus. The same thing happens to us when we encounter Jesus. Even today, Jesus continues to love, comfort, strengthen, heal, console, empower, enlighten, and give peace to all who encounter Him. Jesus freely gives us the graces we need in our lives. There is so much noise in our lives, that it is hard to listen to Jesus speak. Eucharistic Adoration helps us do just that.

Where can I go for Eucharistic Adoration?

Right here in our church. We have a Blessed Sacrament Chapel that can seat 33 people. However, most of the time only one or two are in there. Let us fill the Chapel!

Do you pray this way?

Yes, I do. I spend a number of hours each week before the Lord Jesus, especially in preparing my homilies. I have a little chapel right in my house and I am blessed to have the Blessed Sacrament so close by (with written permission from Archbishop Curtiss). I firmly believe that Jesus knows who will be coming for the Masses that I will be celebrating and what each person needs. If the people come with open hearts, they will receive it. When people say something positive about the homily I always respond, “May God be praised” or “The Holy Spirit did most of it, I just showed up.” I don’t say that to just sound pious. But I say that because I know that all credit has to go to the Holy Spirit, not me. It is the Holy Spirit who supplies the words, and who moves hearts and minds. Without the Holy Spirit, my words mean nothing. I am just a mere instrument. It is amazing how the Holy Spirit works – in spite of me. When we spend time before the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration, He helps us to grow in holiness. That’s why I do it – not because I am holy, but because I know how far I have yet to go in striving for holiness.

How can I start?

Someone once said, “90% of success is just showing up.” I think that can be said of Eucharistic Adoration as well. We can start by just showing up in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and say to Jesus, “Here I am Lord.” Jesus sees us as we truly are. You can get started by contacting Janet Edwards at 402-592-2351.

Does anyone inspire you with their Eucharistic Adoration?

Yes, I am inspired by Dr. & Mrs. Joel & Kathy Bessmer. I met them and their 12 children (ages 1-18) at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Omaha. They started Eucharistic Adoration nine years ago. I recently spoke with them about it. They said they just make it a priority.  We have my conversation with them on our Saint Columbkille website.