Why are Campus Ministers Turning to Adoration?

Have you heard?  There’s a new trend on Catholic campuses and it’s transforming lives. Students, faculty, and campus ministers are rediscovering Eucharistic Adoration, a timeless devotion of the Church.

“Neither theological knowledge nor social action alone is enough to keep us in love with Christ unless both are proceeded by a personal encounter with Him. Theological insights are gained not only from between two covers of a book, but from two bent knees before an altar. The Holy Hour becomes like an oxygen tank to revive the breath of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the foul atmosphere of the world.”

• The Catholic college or university that has a program of Eucharistic Adoration assimilates itself closely to Pope John Paul II’s vision of the true Catholic identity of a college or university. Adoration draws the college and its members closer to the heart of the Church.

• Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is the constant exposure of the Blessed Sacrament in the Monstrance with at least one adorer present at all times. Eucharistic Adoration may also be offered for a few hours per day or per week, at times convenient for students to attend.

• Eucharistic Adoration places God at the top of one’s list of priorities. Everything that is secondary, academics, relationships, finances, falls into its proper place. Eucharistic Adoration gives students an opportunity to take a break from the business and stress of their day-to-day routine and adore Christ. Students who take advantage of adoration oftentimes become more involved in other campus ministry activities.

• ASCC wants to help spread the word at your campus. Even if there are only a few students who come at first, the fire of love that these few experience will quickly spread by word and deed so that others are drawn. There are more than 30 Catholic colleges and universities across the U.S. that have successful Adoration programs.

• While this is a possibility, it is certainly not the intention of Eucharistic Adoration. In order to prevent this problem, proper theological reasoning must be presented to students. In Ecclesia de Eucharistia, the Holy Father makes the point that “The worship of the Eucharist outside of the Mass is of inestimable value for the life of the Church. This worship is strictly linked to the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice.” Students must be taught to appreciate this linkage.

• Before He ascended to Heaven, Jesus told His Apostles, “...Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matt 28:20). We have no reason to that His offering of self in the Eucharist, is outdated or old-fashioned. In fact, Adoration is a devotion that has been recommended by the Confessors and Doctors of the Church for the greater part of its history.
  

• Yes! The ASCC wants to help your college or university establish Eucharistic Adoration. We can supply resources, help promote the program to students, and put you in contact with other campus leaders. The hope that springs forth from Eucharistic Adoration will always be sufficient.

• Eucharistic Adoration will only enhance social outreach, liturgical ministries, and other charitable programs. “Neither theological knowledge nor social action alone is enough to keep us in love with Christ unless both are proceeded by a personal encounter with Him,” Archbishop Sheen acknowleged.