During my college years, the highlight of each day was that serene hour of prayer and contemplation before Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration. I was fortunate enough to live in a city where there were plenty of options for daily Mass times and opportunities for 24-hour Adoration. As tumultuous as the young adult years can be, I found solace and comfort returning to the Heart of Jesus day after day, pouring my troubles before Him and asking Him for clarity for my primary vocation and career path. 

It seems nearly impossible for many of us who are consumed with the daily drudgery of eat, work, shuffle around kids, eat, sleep, repeat. How can we carve out time for an hour of holy prayer before the True Body of Jesus when it’s difficult to even spend fifteen minutes daily to read our devotions or pray with Scripture? 

Please know that God takes our small efforts and does great things with what we give Him. His generosity is incomparable. There have been seasons in my life, such as now, when I am unable to attend daily Mass and frequent Eucharistic Adoration, but when I am inspired to visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, God blesses my life and my family, too. Don’t be intimidated by what appears to be daunting. Allow this article to be an encouragement to you that, should you feed nudged or prompted by the Holy Spirit, you can benefit from giving Jesus even ten minutes before the Monstrance with His Holy Host exposed out of love for you. 

FEEL GOD’S LOVE FOR YOU AND GROW IN DEEPER LOVE FOR HIM

“In the Mass and in Eucharistic Adoration we meet the merciful love of God that passes through the Heart of Jesus Christ.” – St. John Paul II 

Sometimes I get so caught up in taking care of my family’s needs that, by the end of the day, I’m spent – wiped out, with nothing left to give anyone, let alone God. My spiritual director keeps telling me, “Jeannie, God favors you” or “You are His beloved daughter,” but I don’t really feel that in my heart. I think it’s because I’m too tired to allow myself to just bask in His love for me.  

When our oldest daughter, Felicity, was in religious education last year, our parish offered Eucharistic Adoration on the same evening. I would drop Felicity off and stay at church for the next hour-and-a-half, sitting before Jesus who was exposed in love, ready to give me what I was able to receive. 

At first, it was difficult. I found my thoughts wandering and was fraught with worry about all the things I “should” be doing instead. But I disciplined myself to sit before Him and just allow Him to love me. The tears would often follow – tears of exhaustion, of gratitude, of peace. If you long to be loved and filled with God’s endless mercy; if you need your cup to overflow with healing and hope, then turn to Him in Eucharistic Adoration. 

OBTAIN ETERNITY FOR TORMENTED SOULS

“The Eucharist bathes tormented souls in light and love.” – St. Bernadette Soubirous 

As a grief author, I get a lot of comments about assurance of heaven for their deceased loved ones. Of course, we cannot presume to know exactly if a soul is in heaven, hell, or purgatory (unless canonized by the Church, of course), but we can turn to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament to beckon His mercy upon their souls. 

Many saints have written or spoken about the power of Eucharistic Adoration in obtaining salvation for tormented souls. When we reach out to Jesus by making the effort to visit Him in the many tabernacles we pass throughout our days, He responds with an outpouring of grace, especially for those who have died or are dying. While you are quietly praying, offer a Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the souls in most need, and name your deceased loved ones with each bead offered. 

ADORATION IS POWERFUL PROTECTION AGAINST SPIRITUAL ATTACK

“Make frequent visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and the devil will be powerless against you.” – St. John Bosco 

It’s no secret that spiritual attack intensifies as we grow closer to God. Often, when you are approaching a spiritual breakthrough or perhaps are readying yourself for a mission trip with the teens at your parish; initiating a weekly family rosary; volunteering at your local homeless shelter; or a number of other holy acts that will deepen your relationship with God, the backlash from the enemy increases. Why is this? 

In some cases, it’s because Satan obviously wants us to fall. He knows our weak spots and problem areas, so he preys upon the areas of our life where we are making the most effort to improve or repair our love for God. Run to Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration, despite the adversary’s attempts to thwart your getting there, and beg for protection against these attacks. You will regain renewed vigor to persevere through your current trials if you do. 

HOLY HOURS STRENGTHEN FAMILY LIFE 

“Jesus has made Himself the Bread of Life to give us life. Night and day, He is there. If you really want to grow in love, come back to the Eucharist, come back to that Adoration.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta 

Family division is highly common in our modern era. I’ve never met a person who did not have some sort of strife, rift in relationships, or estrangements going on in their immediate or extended families. Obviously, we see divorce as commonplace, as well as siblings who refuse to communicate – perhaps for decades – among some of the issues facing families today.  

Years ago, I made a retreat with my family of origin (before I was married with my own kids), and my mom emerged from a session of spiritual direction from one of the resident priests, beaming mischievously. “Fr. Norbert told me that ‘your family will be the means of your sanctification,’” she told me.  

I’ve thought about that statement off and on throughout these years, and it seems to be a universal message: God gives us each member of our family, not to annoy us or cause permanent brokenness, but instead to help us grow in holiness. Some of the most difficult people to live with are meant to give us more opportunities to practice patience, kindness, and charity. 

Take your family and all its complicated troubles to Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration. He will extend the grace beyond you to all your loved ones. 

YOU WILL GAIN PEACE AND CLARITY

“How sweet and full of comfort are the moments spent before the Blessed Sacrament! Are you in trouble? Come and throw yourself at his feet.” – St. John Vianney 

Most people struggle with restlessness and confusion. Again, these are meant to be clouds of diversion from the enemy. His tactics are to lead us away from finding clarity in our mission and purpose in life by leading us to stall and stumble far before we even begin.  

During the many crossroads of your life, especially if they deal with major life decisions, bring every question to Eucharistic Adoration. Jesus will take each one and grant you the clarity you need – sometimes in a quiet inspiration of the heart, sometimes after you open your Bible or hear a song – but the answer will be so obvious to you that your soul will be flooded with peace.  

Regardless of how or when you decide to visit Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration, the key is to simply begin somewhere. It doesn’t have to be entire Holy Hour right away, but start with ten or fifteen minutes and build the habit on a weekly or monthly basis. Make it a family affair and go for dinner or ice cream afterwards. Jesus is pleased with everything you give Him, no matter how small, and will bless you abundantly.