FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What is the Eucharist?
Simply put, the Eucharist is the consecrated bread and wine used during Mass. The Eucharist is our "Most Blessed Sacrament.” Jesus gave Himself to us during the Last Supper in the Most Blessed Sacrament. The Catechism teaches that during transubstantiation, the Eucharist becomes the Real Presence of Jesus. (Catechism, 1374)
What is Transubstantiation?
By definition, this means the bread and wine used for Communion is changed into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. If we look at the word transubstantiation, we find two components. Trans- means “to change.” Substance refers to the nature of the bread and the wine. When the priest prays the Eucharistic Prayer before the altar, the nature of the bread and wine is changed into the species of Jesus’ Body and Blood, and it truly becomes the Real Presence of Jesus Christ. Without the Mass, there would be no Real Presence.
This presence is beyond human comprehension, for it differs from the way bodies are naturally present and sensibly perceived. Subjectively, we cannot see or touch the Body of Christ in the Eucharist, but objectively, in reality, He is present. As we are taught in the Vatican II document, Gaudium et Spes, "This sets forth once more the perennially valid teaching of the Council of Trent: 'the consecration of the bread and wine effects the change of the whole substance of the bead into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord, and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. And the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called this change transubstantiation.' (Catechism, 1376)
How can I believe in Transubstantiation?
In the words and thoughts of Fr. John Corapi, “To understand this mystery, you must first give an assent to faith.” The key words here are “assent to faith.” The word assent is defined by Webster as “to agree to something especially after thoughtful consideration.” People often ask, “How can I believe the bread and wine are really changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ? What I see does not seem any different than the bread and wine that existed before the Eucharistic Prayer at the altar.”
First, we must understand that this is one of the great mysteries of our faith. We will not automatically understand any of these mysteries without a little education. But more importantly, we MUST give an assent of faith first, in order to understand them better. An example is Jesus Himself. We come to church to pray to Jesus. Most of us believe we have never really seen Jesus in person, but we really do believe He exists. Thus, we have given an assent of faith.
Another example is love. We do not see love, but we feel it, witness it, and we are certain it exists. Throughout our lives, we are taught to understand and recognize love. We are educated about love. We are educated about Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and a number of other things that we cannot actually see or touch. After a lifetime of education and understanding, we realize these things really do exist. Transubstantiation is not any different. Giving an assent of faith and a little education, the understanding and belief will follow. Is it not enlightening to realize that we have been told all our lives that God is Love? They are all mysteries if we see them that way. They are all very real, if we just ALLOW ourselves to believe. The more we believe and listen, the more we will understand. It is time to stop fighting what we cannot see.
What is Adoration?
This refers to the act of adoring. In our case, in the Catholic Church we adore Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. We spend quiet time with the Eucharist, to pay homage, pray, be thankful and to adore Jesus Christ. Mary spent her entire life adoring Jesus. (Catechism, 2096-2097)
What is Eucharistic adoration?
Believing the Real Presence of Jesus Christ resides in the Eucharist, we spend time in the Adoration Chapel adoring Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, much the same as the disciples adored him in the garden at Gethsemane. Jesus is asking us, “Can you not watch one hour with me?” (Catechism, 1379-1380)
What is Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration?
Perpetual means to continue without interruption. Eucharistic adoration that occurs twrnty-four hours a day is perpetual Eucharistic adoration. Parishioners volunteer an hour or two per week to fill this schedule. Adoration stops during those hours when the Eucharist is presented during Mass or other blessed celebrations. At these times, adorers would not be required. We stop our formal adoration at noon on Saturday and resume at 8pm on Sunday.
Why is the Eucharist so important?
Catholics believe the Eucharist is "the source and the summit of all Christian life." (Catechism, 1324) Jesus said, "I myself am the living bread come down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread he shall live forever; the bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." (John 6:51) The Eucharistic meal is the strength and encouragement for all of our Christian existence. The Eucharistic celebration is central to the life of the church. The Eucharist is Christ Our Lord.
Why adoration? Why perpetual adoration?
Why would a person commit to one hour a week for months, years or possibly for life? Adoration of Jesus and of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament goes back to the manger in which Jesus was born. This adoration continued throughout His life on earth, by His mother, disciples and followers. It has continued through the ages by followers around the world. We are also connected to this unending offering of thanksgiving as our relationship with Jesus deepens. Quite simply, these are just a few of the reasons adoration is such a beautiful and blessed devotion. (Catechism, 1418)
What is a personal relationship with Jesus?
Adorers enjoy a very special personal relationship with Our Lord. As you enter the Chapel, with devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament, you feel this personal relationship with the Lord begin. You begin to experience His Peace and His Real Presence. You can listen to and talk to Him, or you can just sit with Him, but in time, you will become closer to Him than you ever thought was possible. As adoration continues, you will realize many blessings. Jesus wants you to have everything! He is there for you and for all. He wants this time with you.
How will adoration affect me?
With all probability, you will fall in love with the Lord. We may be falling in love with Him for the first time, or we may be falling in love with Him all over again. As we enter the Chapel, we learn about devotion to and love of the Lord. We find that this love is much deeper than we feel for spouses or siblings. We learn how God's Love is so much better than any other love we have ever understood.
Are there other PEA parishes in Cincinnati?
Visit the Archdiocesan website at www.catholiccincinnati.org, and search the online parish directory for details on adoration, exposition, and PEA that is available. Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center in Norwood has perpetual Eucharistic adoration, but it is not a parish.
Who is responsible for the work within the PEA ministry?
PEA is a ministry that is lay-organized and lay-operated. There is no additional work required for the priests or deacons. Our priests oversee adoration in that they have direct responsibility for the Eucharist in our parish. The committee’s Head Coordinator reports to them, but all other work within the ministry is dependent upon parishioners.
How was PEA initiated at IHM?
The Apostolate for Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, an organization of priests whose sole mission is to establish perpetual Eucharistic adoration in parishes around the world. Their national director, Father Victor Warkulwiz, Missionary of the Blessed Sacrament, spoke at all Sunday Masses on the weekend of January 31-Feb. 1, 2004. Sign-up sheets were passed out immediately and collected, and PEA began on March 19, 2004. IHM was the first perpetual adoration parish established in Cincinnati.
What are the organizational positions within PEA?
The Priest is responsible for the Eucharist within the parish.
The Worship Commission is responsible for coordinators between the various ministries and the priest. NOTE: The above two entities are not actually part of the PEA ministry but are an integral part of the reporting structure.
The two PEA Ministry head coordinators (HC) are responsible for the organization and operation of the PEA Ministry. They report to the parochial vicar, our pastoral liaison.
The four division leaders (DL) are responsible for the organization and operation of their own division of hours. Each division is comprised of a six-hour timeframe. They report to the HCs.
The hour captains (HRC) are responsible for the organization and operation of their own hour throughout the entire week. They report to the DL. There are twenty-four HRCs, one for each hour of the day. In many cases, there can be more than one HRC per hour, with the additional HRC acting as an assistant.
The adorers (AD) are responsible for their chosen hour of adoration during the week. They report to their assigned HRC. Ideally, there are at least two ADs for each hour of the week. Our goal is to have three adorers per hour, especially during exposition.
Is Exposition scheduled for particular times?
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is presently on the following schedule:
Normal week:
Thursday 9 am to Friday at 5 am, and Friday from 1pm until 6pm.
First Friday week:
Thursday 9 am until First Friday, 10 pm excluding Mass time and one hour before Mass (for preparation)
We must be vigilant to have two adorers for each hour during exposition.