“The tabernacle was first intended for the reservation of the Eucharist in a worthy place so that it could be brought to the sick and those absent outside of Mass. As faith in the real presence of Christ in his Eucharist deepened, the Church became conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Lord present under the Eucharistic species.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1379)

“The Eucharistic sacrifice is the source and culmination of the whole Christian life. Both private and public devotion toward the Eucharist, therefore, including devotion outside Mass, are strongly encouraged…” (Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass, 79).

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Public Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the monsrance is observed everything Thursday beginning immediately following the 8:30am Mass until 7:00pm when prayer and Benediction are celebrated.

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Spending quiet time in the presence of our Lord, reading, praying, or meditating, is a special gift. We Catholics believe inthe Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist, and so to be able to pray with

Jesus so intimately is a special source of grace. At St. Raphael’s, many opportunities for this are available:

• The Eucharistic Reservation Chapel (the smaller chapel adjacent to the Narthex) is available for private prayer and adoration any time the Church building is open (generally from morning Mass until around 9:00pm).

• Children in our school are taught about Adoration and observe it monthly with their entire class.

• A Forty Hours Devotion, when Adoration is available continuously in Church (interrupted only for morning Mass), is observed annually.

If you are unable to come to Church, you can privately adore the Blessed Sacrament online (http://www.savior.org/ )

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Time Commitment: 1 hour per month for scheduled adorers. Anytime for general parishioners.

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Contact: Lynn Wilson at (630) 615-7616 or lwilson@st-raphael.com