Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

No, even if the Blessed Sacrament is not exposed, you can still visit a Church to pray and commune with our Lord. While commonly known as adoration, this time of exposition is a special time in which we get to sit in the presence of Christ in the exposed Eucharist in the monstrance. Christ is still present to us even when not exposed in the monstrance and He waits for us in the tabernacle to pray and adore Him.

Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament is a time in which Catholics adore and worship the true God in the person of Jesus Christ, truly present in the Eucharist (John 6).  The practice of adoration is as old as the church herself is, although it came to be more formal around the 1500s. It is a typical practice to make what is known a "holy hour" to honor Jesus' heartfelt request to His closest disciples during His agony in the garden, "Could you not spend one hour with me?" (Matthew 26). Whether it is 1 minute, half an hour, or a full holy hour, adoration is a time to spend in prayerful communion with Jesus Christ, to share the joys and sufferings of our hearts with Him, and simply be present.

It is also good formation to recognize that the you can still pray and make a holy-hour in the church with the Blessed Sacrament reposed in the tabernacle, the Eucharist does not need to be exposed for you to be able to pray. Jesus still waits for you in all the tabernacles of the world.

One thing to keep in mind, don't worry about what to say during your time in adoration, simply being in the presence of Jesus Christ is life changing. St. John Vianney tells a story about one of his parishioners who would spend hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament in adoration. Amazed by this, he asked the man "What do you do in adoration?," and the man replied "I look at Him and He looks at me." It can also be helpful to reflect on our lives during adoration, calling to mind the times in which we have failed to follow Christ, so that we may seek forgiveness and receive strength to renew our call to conversion, and call to mind what we are thankful for, so that we can express gratitude. Many people also love to read sacred scripture or the writings of the Saints during their time in adoration and reflect on those words in the presence of the Eucharistic Christ. The historic chapel at St. Mary's has a bookshelf in the back right corner where some literature on prayer and vocational discernment is available. 

Last of all, adoration is a place where we reverently worship Our Lord, so please avoid eating, drinking (besides water), listening to music out loud or a podcast, talking, or laying down on the aisles so as to respect others and keep the prayerful and silent atmosphere of the church. Although you are praying privately and intimately with our Lord, our faith is communal and you are also in a communal space.

Some find it helpful to bring a journal, a bible, a rosary, or a book to help them pray during adoration. However, nothing is required other than yourself. Jesus Christ loves us as we are, so it is not necessary to have an "agenda" during our time of adoration, but it is necessary that we allow our hearts to give and receive His divine love. While it is good to bring helpful items, it's important to not pile on things to do and read and forget about the One who is present on the altar.

Adoration is available Monday through Friday most days at Texas A&M while classes are in session in the Historic Chapel located in across the main church and student center. Occasionally, a time of adoration will be available on retreats or events held by St. Mary's Catholic Center. St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Anthony, and St. Joseph are other parishes in the local Bryan-College Station area that have adoration available as well. 

For more information and an in depth history of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, please refer to this article: History of Eucharistic Adoration.