Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

Contact for the Parish:
Simon Wright, Coordinator
Phone: (806) 570-9776

We invite you to join our Adoration program as a full time Adorer or as a committed substitute. 

Contact Simon Wright for more information about the Adoration Ministry at St. Thomas, to leave a message about joining this wonderful program. Check the current bulletin for available openings in Adorers times.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is not something new. It is a centuries-old practice rooted in an essential teaching of Catholic Christianity: Jesus Christ is truly and completely present in the Eucharist. Like many practices of our faith, however, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament developed gradually.

In the earliest years of Christianity, consecrated bread would be brought home from the celebration of the Eucharist to be given to those not able to be present at the liturgy because of illness. It was also to be consumed by the faithful during the week to keep them connected to the Eucharist and the community they celebrated with.

In about the fourth century monasteries began to reserve the Eucharist, and by the 11th century, reservation — still mainly for the sick and dying— was a regular feature of churches. While reverence was certainly given to Christ present in the sacrament, it was not yet customary to pray before the reserved sacrament.

In the 11th century the French monk Berengar of Tours began to teach that the bread and wine in the celebration of the Eucharist could not change physically into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Pope Gregory VII demanded a retraction from Berengar saying that the body and blood of Christ were truly present in the Eucharist. This resulted in a refining of the church's teaching on the real presence. In response, Eucharistic devotion burst forth throughout Europe: processions, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and other prayers focused on the reserved sacrament became part of Catholic life.

Around the same time, elevations of the bread and the wine were added to the Eucharistic prayer at Mass. For some, the moment of seeing the consecrated host overshadowed the rest of the liturgy. Times of extended exposition of the Blessed Sacrament outside the Mass grew out of this action, and eventually a blessing with the exposed Eucharist, or benediction, developed.

The feast of Corpus Christi developed in the 13^th and 14^th centuries. Processions became traditional on this day, and other devotions, including adoration, gained popularity. Eucharistic Congresses, held since the late 19^th century (most recently in Canada in 2008), continue to promote this devotion.

Since the Second Vatican Council, a great deal of attention has focused on the reform of the liturgy and a deepening of Eucharistic theology and piety, but the practice of adoration remained in many places. Like the practice of the earliest Christians, adoration can keep us connected to the community’s celebration of the Eucharist.

O, SACRAMENT MOST HOLY! O, SACRAMENT DIVINE!
ALL PRAISE AND ALL THANKSGIVING BE EVERY MOMENT THINE!

When you look upon the Sacred Host, you look upon Jesus, the Son of God.
"Indeed, this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life. Hint I will raise up on the last day." (Jn 6:40)

Each moment that you spend in His Eucharistic Presence will increase his divine life within you and deepen your personal relationship and friendship with him.
“I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly." "I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and J in him shall bear much fruit because without me, you can do nothing.” (Jnl5:5)

Each hour you spend with Jesus will deepen his divine peace in your heart.
"Come to me all of you who are weary and find life burdensome and l will refresh you..." "Cast all of you anxieties upon the one who cares for you..." "My Peace Is My Gift to you." (Mt 11:28; Pt 5:7: Jn 14:17)

Jesus will give you all the graces you need to be happy!
"The Lamb on the throne will shepherd them. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water,” (Rev 7:17)

Jesus is infinitely deserving of our unceasing thanksgiving and adoration for all he has done for our salvation.
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive honor, glory and praise." (Rev. 5:12)

For peace in our country!
"When my people humble themselves and seek my presence... I will revive their land." (2Chr 7:14)

Each hour you spend with Jesus on earth will leave your soul everlastingly more beautiful and glorious in heaven!
"They who humble themselves shall he exalted..." "All of us, gazing on the Lord's glory with unveiled faces, are being transformed from glory to glory into Ids very image." (Lk 18:14; 2Cor 3:18)

Jesus will bless you, your family and the whole world for this hour of faith you spend with Him in the Blessed Sacrament.
"Blessed are they who do not see and yet believe..." "Faith can move mountains.,." " What is needed is trust... " "Behold I come to make ail things new." (Jn 20:29; Mk 11:23; Mk 5:36; Rev 21:5)

Each moment you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament brings joy, pleasure, and delight to his Sacred Heart!
"My joy, my pleasure, my delight Is to be with you.“ (Prov 8:31)

The specific way that Jesus asks you to love him in return is to spend one quiet hour with him in die Blessed Sacrament.
"Where your treasure Is, there Is your heart...." "Could you not watch one hour with me?" (Mt 6:21; 26:40)

There are serval hourly openings available. For information contact Simon Wright at 570-9776.

May our adoration never cease!