Objective:
The middle school youth will learn how they can grow in their faith by giving thanks to God in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.
Overview:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:
The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all his benefits, for all that he has accomplished through creation, redemption and sanctification. Eucharist means first of all “thanksgiving” (CCC 1360).
As Catholics, we are blessed to be able to receive the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist each time we go to Mass. The sacrifice of the Mass is one of true thanksgiving. We also have the opportunity to offer our homage and thanksgiving to the real presence of Christ in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.
Because Christ himself is present in the sacrament of the altar, he is to be honored with the worship of Adoration. “To visit the Blessed Sacrament is… a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a duty of Adoration toward Christ our Lord (CCC 1418).
Adoration is a distinct form of prayer separate from prayers of petition, confession or intercession. It is a form of prayer that allows us to take time in reverent silence before our Lord. The word is derived from the Greek word “adorare,” which means, “to do homage” or “to worship.” It is perhaps the highest type of worship we can offer our Lord. Through time spent in Adoration we are able to develop a more intimate relationship with Christ, by allowing Him to speak to our hearts and by thanking Him for not only our lives, but for giving His life for our sake.
[…] In his Eucharistic presence he remains mysteriously in our midst as the one who loved us and gave himself up for us, and he remains under signs that express and communicate this love: The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go meet him in Adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our Adoration never cease (CCC 1380).