Taking part in the Eucharistic Sacrifice, which is the source and summit of the whole Christian life, the faithful offer the divine victim to God and offer themselves along with it (Lumen Gentium 11). As a Sacrament, the Eucharist is most excellent first, in dignity; second, in the grace it contains, for it is Christ Himself, the source of all grace; and third, in its permanency, because it is a perfect Sacrament when we receive it and also when it is retained in our Churches.

Eucharistic adoration outside of Mass focuses on this permanence. It is a "subjective prolongation of the Mass and a beginning of one's next communion" (K. Rahner). A manifestation of our love, gratitude and devotion, Eucharistic Adoration is a face to face conversation with Jesus in which we grow in our relationship with Him and can also show our love for others by interceding and praying for their needs.

Come spend an hour with the Lord for the sake of His body, the Church! Jesus continually waits and appeals to each of us: "Could you not watch with me one hour?"