Children's Adoration

Brother Leopold d'Yve CSJ at Holy Savior

Have you heard of Children's Eucharistic Adoration?

"Children's Eucharistic Adoration is leading the children into the mystery of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist following the words of wisdom of Blessed Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI."

Quote from Children of Hope 's website.

I have been blessed to help with and lead Children's Adoration for 8 years. It's one of the greatest blessings I have known.

Father Antoine Thomas explains: "Over the years I have heard many reasons why parents hesitate to bring young children before the Eucharist each week to adore Jesus. Among these reasons are that they are too young to sit still, or that they won't understand what is happening. Some feel that it is hard enough to get them to be attentive at Mass, and if they add another hour on Sunday, how can they expect them to behave?

Well, I remind them that Jesus Himself told us, “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them; for to such belong the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 19:14) And, that our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has made this request, “I urge priests, religious and lay people to continue and redouble their efforts to teach the younger generations the meaning and value of Eucharistic adoration and devotion.” (from the Vatican, 28 May, 1996) So, how else can we respond than to bring children to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus!

After many years of leading Holy Hours for children, I can tell you the benefits are numerous for both children and their families:
1. Children who previously had only the weekly experience of Mass, discover that the Host is actually the person of Jesus, mysteriously hidden.
2. They develop a greater interest in the mysteries of our Faith and the liturgy of the Mass.
3. They understand—more than other children of their age who have not experienced Eucharistic Adoration—the relationship between the gift of the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus and His sacrifice on the Cross out of love for mankind.
4. They become much more aware of the various degrees of sin and seem very eager to receive the sacrament of Confession often.
5. Families accompanying their children witness a growing desire for peace and forgiveness within the family.
When children become friends with Jesus, by spending time with Him, do they not become living signs of faith in Jesus' Real Presence in the Eucharist for those who doubt, and therefore also become wonderful signs of hope for those who despair in finding God on earth?"
How to start Eucharistic Adoration at your parish.
Here are a few steps to help you get started:
-Ask your pastor if he would agree to watch the video on children's adoration.

-Discuss with him who can lead the Holy Hours


-Pray for help to know a good time for the children's Holy Hour in your parish


-Advertise in your bulletin and parish paper


-Put some posters up around your parish


-Address the Mother's Group if you have one, and don't forget the home-schooling families


-See if you can send home an invitation with the school children


When you begin the hours you will want to be prepared. General norms for the worship of the Eucharist are found in Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass, published by Catholic Book Publishing Co., © 1976. It is important that those who plan a children's Holy Hour be familiar with the teachings and rubrics of this ritual text. You can use the manual that we have prepared or design your own format.Click Here.

Bishop Conley of Denver says, ""I am very pleased to know that thousands of children have been led into Eucharistic adoration, in Catholic schools and parishes in the past few years, through the help of the Brothers of St. John. I encourage the ministry of "Children of Hope" and I heartily recommend it to my brother bishops in their dioceses, as an apostolate of hope for children and parents, as well as catechists and priests." -Bishop James Conley


If you have any questions, comments, thoughts, or suggestions, I welcome you to leave a comment.