Holy Eucharist

The Holy Eucharist is the "Source and Summit of the Christian Life." The Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, 11

Epiphany Parish takes its name, and its daily inspiration, from the wonderful gift of Jesus Christ to the world: to the three Magi, at his Baptism at the Jordan, at the Wedding at Cana. And, until Jesus comes again, for us Catholics that leads to an intense love for Our Lord in the Eucharist. In the Eucharist we experience the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, of our Lord. The Eucharist is our daily Epiphany.

As Pope Benedict XVI taught at the 2007 World Youth Day, "When we participate regularly and with devotion in Holy Mass, when we spend a sustained time of adoration in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, it is easier to understand the length, breadth, height and depth of his love that goes beyond all knowledge (cf. Eph 3:17-18)."

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

Are you interested in signing up for Adoration?

There are 168 hours in a week: it takes about 336 people to keep adoration going 24/7, and another 75 adorers as substitutes. That is a total of 411 people. Ask yourself, your family, and your friends when (not if!) you can best fit an hour of adoration into your weekly schedule.

How can you become a scheduled adorer? Contact Maria Marstall our Coordinator.

Weather cancellations will be noted on the home page.

What Exactly is Adoration?

Adoration (in a holy hour) is a period of meditation, prayers and devotion in the presence of the Holy Eucharist exposed on the altar. There is no fixed way to spend the hour; the adorer will probably experiment with many. In a sense it is continuation in time of the moment of elevation at Mass, when the priest shows the host to the people, who pause momentarily in adoration. Epiphany began Perpetual Adoration on Easter morning 2007 as a response to the Holy Father's request for greater devotion to Christ in the Eucharist. It is called "perpetual" because the Holy Eucharist is exposed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week...except for Holy Saturday.

What happens in Adoration?

There are no hard and fast rules to follow, but here are some customs to guide your initial visit with the Lord.

• Upon entering make a profound reverence. This is typically done by making a "double-genuflection", that is, drop to both knees and lower the head a few inches in profound respect.
• Please be quiet and make as little noise as possible, unless you have a group signed up for specific purposes (rosary, divine mercy chaplet, etc.). If alone, feel free to vocalize your prayer.
• You may kneel, sit or stand.
• Create a little plan to divide the holy hour. Some divide the period into four blocks of fifteen minutes (adoration and thanksgiving; rosary; intercession and pondering; spiritual reading). You will find your own way, but don't hesitate to ask a priest or deacon, or anyone spiritually mature, to offer direction. And make good use of the books available.
• At the end of your holy hour, again make a double genuflection and leave without distracting others.

Adoration Resources

• Tom Hoopes: How to Make a Holy Hour
• Fr. Grigus: How to Make a Holy Hour
• Bishop Sheen: How to Make a Holy Hour