Prayer in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament (Part 3)

Many people in parishes and throughout the universal church call the prayer time before the Blessed Sacrament “adoration.” Why? Perhaps because it begins with an a, perhaps because this is a worthy form of prayer or perhaps because this style of prayer was very popular through the history of the church. However, as most who pray will say, adoration is only one of the many forms of prayer. There are many types of prayer expressed in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is either exposed, with the Blessed Sacrament placed in a monstrance, or not exposed, before a tabernacle in a Blessed Sacrament chapel. This article will examine other prayer forms and styles and suggest that one must not limit the naming of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament as “adoration” since many prayers are offered and not all are in adoration.

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