Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel

75 Ridgedale Ave. Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927 - 973-538-1358

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

- Faith Formation

Spending Time with Jesus

Spending time with Jesus in Adoration can make closeness to Him a reality. He wants to hear your joys, your fears, your worries… anything at all that’s on your mind and in your heart. Whether it is for a mere 5 minutes or a full hour, sitting quietly with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament will bring you peace, comfort, and the assurance that no matter where you are on the spiritual path, you have a loving and constant friend.

Come to our St. Benedict’s Chapel any Friday between 7:00am and 7:00pm.
Experience the calming, comforting effect of quiet time with a Friend who will always be delighted to see you!

What is Adoration?
In simplest terms, Adoration is placing oneself in the presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, exposed inside a special stand called a “monstrance.” This allows for a personal encounter with Jesus, who is truly present in a very real and special way.

What makes Adoration different from other types of prayer?
Unlike participation in other forms of prayer, when we come to be with Jesus in Adoration, we are encountering Him in His Entirety – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity – just as He walked on the earth 2,000 years ago, except that now He is present to us in the form of Bread.

Is Jesus literally present during Adoration?
The answer is a resounding YES! Instituted at the Last Supper, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was a gift from Jesus, given to nourish and encourage us on our journeys, to console and strengthen us in our hardships, and to ensure that we would never be alone, even to the end of the world.

What am I expected to do during Adoration?
The blessing of Adoration is that you’re not expected to “do” anything. This is your quiet time with Jesus, to be spent as you wish. People come to Adoration to fill many different needs – to pray for guidance, strength or acceptance, or simply to give praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. Others come merely to sit or kneel in His presence, to find a moment of peace in the midst of a busy life.

Do I have to “sign up” (i.e., make a commitment) in order to participate in Adoration?
No sign-up or commitment is required in order to participate in Adoration. It is available to everyone from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM every Friday in our St. Benedict’s Chapel (behind the altar). Because the Blessed Sacrament is not permitted to be left unattended, our Adoration Ministry assures that two of its ministers are present at all times during those 12 hours. This ensures that all are welcome to come and spend whatever time they have to sit in Jesus’ Presence.
Some reflections from those who have experienced Adoration…

"Just to stop and be in peace with the Lord is amazing. Many times I have listened in that silence, and have heard the answer to many problems.”
“My Adoration hour is a time for me to pray for peace and calm in my life so that I will be able to concentrate on the really important aspects of my spiritual journey. The quiet time helps me to put my responsibilities in perspective, deal with the world’s demands on me and prepare for the upcoming week.”
“Our appointed hour of Adoration is a highlight in our lives. We are grateful when we can be there and sit with Jesus.”
“Adoration has enabled me to spend time with Jesus in a peaceful, quiet setting on a regular basis. No matter how difficult the week, I always feel spiritually and physically rejuvenated after spending this hour with Jesus. I think of Adoration as a "spa for the soul" and look forward to my hour each week. I am so grateful that NDMC offers this wonderful ministry and I am so thankful I accepted Jesus' invitation to participate. I truly feel it has made me a more prayerful, peaceful and contented person.”

“The Holy Hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is a source of profound peace and communication with my Lord. To know that before me is the very Person who walked the earth showing us the way to the Father is incredible. In silence, I listen. In silence I adore. In silence I treasure His Gift to us.”
"How could I choose NOT to adore Him in the Eucharist? I need to be consciously aware of praising and thanking Him at all times. He has given me LIFE. I want for nothing more."
“Never did I believe I could -- or would want to -- sit quietly, disengaged from human activity, and silently meditate, even in the presence of our dear Jesus. How wrong I was! Spending time with Jesus in Adoration has made me feel genuinely connected to our Lord, and in a very personal and vulnerable way. I feel nothing but gratitude that our parish has made this exceptional gift a reality at Notre Dame. I am confident that increasing numbers of our parish family will discover what a significant impact this quiet time can have on our faith journeys and, indeed, on our lives.”

If you have any questions about Adoration, our Adoration Ministry or you would like to join us, please contact Ivette Valori at adoration.ndmc@gmail.com.