By Aimee McElreath, Staff Writer
This Lent, University Ministry invites students to strengthen their faith and community through Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Saint Jude Chapel. Confessions are also offered by Fr. John McEvoy, one of the priests at Saint Leo Abbey, who celebrates Mass and administers the Sacraments of the Catholic Church.
Eucharistic Adoration is the exposure of the Eucharist before the faithful to worship and pray. In the Roman Catholic Tradition, the Eucharist is the unleavened bread that has been consecrated during Mass and has undergone “transubstantiation,” meaning that Christ has taken the form of the bread.
In Mass, Catholics consume the Eucharist. This practice is based on Jesus’ statements, such as that in Luke 22:19, in which he affirms the faithful should eat his flesh and drink his blood. However, some consecrated hosts, or the wafers of unleavened bread that have undergone transubstantiation, may go back into the tabernacle and eventually be exposed for the faithful and clergy in Eucharistic Adoration.
Kevin Floyd, the director of University Ministry, states that he believes that weekly Adoration during the season of Lent will strengthen the campus community.
“We believe that having the Eucharistic Adoration at the Chapel every Wednesday throughout Lent will offer more interactivity…that has not been there before,” Floydcommented.
University Ministry intends to make Lent more interactive through this event by praying with students before the Eucharist (also known as the Blessed Sacrament) during this season of penance.
Floyd elaborated, “While we can’t walk with you in your fasting journey, […] We can walk with you in prayer.”
No matter where you may be in your spiritual journey, Eucharistic Adoration is an opportunity to grow in your relationship with Christ.
Floyd explained that Eucharistic Adoration is a place to pray, receive Confession from Fr. John McEvoy, and be exposed to the Blessed Sacrament while on campus.
As mentioned earlier, this weekly event offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). Those received into the Catholic Church can cleanse their souls from sin in five minutes or less by God’s grace. It’s a great way to have a spiritual comeback.
During Lent, everyone can have their own form of prayer and fasting, but there are some well-known devotional practices anyone can try.
Kevin Floyd shared some of the practices he is partaking in this Lent. Such as traditional nine-day prayers, the rosary, and intense fasting.
Lent can be a season of spiritual self-discovery. What prayers benefit you the most? How can you grow in your spiritual life? Adoration can help in that journey.
“Use the time in Lent to find out […] what works best […] with you,” advised Floyd.
All students are welcome to attend Eucharistic Adoration. No matter your religious background, Saint Leo University Ministry invites you to experience a silent space filled with reverence and the presence of Christ.
