Eucharistic Adoration is thriving on SLU’s campus. Two Jesuit Scholastics who have been instrumental in making that happen are Christopher “Toph” Collins and Phil Hurley. Here is an interview I had with them and some student reactions to the practice.

What is Eucharistic Adoration?

Phil: It is a traditional Catholic devotion to Christ living and present in the Eucharist. At Mass we receive Christ in communion; at Adoration we pray in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist in order to deepen our appreciation of His love and presence in the Eucharist at Mass. This time of adoration and prayer is often called a “Holy Hour.”

What exactly goes on during a Holy Hour?

Phil: The people gather, the Blessed Sacrament “the Eucharist” is displayed in a monstrance. The word “monstrance” comes from the Latin monstrare which means “to show”; the monstrance is a case which holds the Eucharist high in such a way that all can see Him. From that point on Holy Hours can vary in what goes on.

What happens at the Monday night Holy Hour?

Phil: It is a Praise and Worship Holy Hour which combines the traditional adoration of the Eucharist with cutting-edge, contemporary praise and worship music. The music is led by students with guitar, keyboard, drums, etc. The chapel is dimly lit, mostly by candles; students gather around some on the floor, some in pews, some kneeling, some very intense prayer. There is a scripture reading, time for spoken intercessory prayer, the students light candles in front of the altar where the Eucharist is exposed. Afterwards there is time for fellowship. Each week there is a different theme for the Christian life. During Homeless Awareness Week there will be prayer for the homeless and how our prayer before the Eucharist impels us to work for social justice.

What happens at the Friday Holy Hour?

Chris: After the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, we sing a traditional hymn-“Tantum Ergo” written by St. Thomas Aquinas-and the priest incenses the Sacrament as a way of showing that this is a sacred practice. Then there is about half-an-hour of silent prayer before the Sacrament. The priest reads a passage from the Gospel; then he preaches for a few minutes on the Gospel and the meaning of the Eucharist. After more silence we make intercessory prayers. The priest incenses the Eucharist again, and then gives a “Solemn Benediction”-a blessing of the people by making the sign of the cross over them with the monstrance, an especially powerful blessing by Christ Himself. We close with the “Divine Praises,” a litany of prayers of praise to the Trinity, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and all the Angels and Saints.

How do you see students reacting to Eucharistic Adoration?

Phil: Well, it is a reaction to student desires. Some students and I started it through Campus Ministry a year ago because we noted the desire among many for this powerful kind of prayer. More people responded than we ever thought. The Praise and Worship Holy Hour started in the BMC chapel in the Spring of 2000. By the beginning of the Fall of 2000 we had to move to the Notre Dame chapel because there was not enough room for everybody. Some nights we’ve had over 100 students. Students come from Wash. U., Webster and Fontbonne. Many non-Catholics come too.

Chris: Young people come to it fresh. They did not grow up with it, so it is something new to them. It is consoling to them to be given this chance to pray with Jesus in the flesh and not just as an idea or memory. Students find a grounding for their lives in the Blessed Sacrament that they would not have otherwise. We get students, but also faculty, staff, parishioners and people off the streets. There is a universal attraction to the Eucharist.

What fruits do you see coming from Eucharistic Adoration?

Phil: Busy students are being drawn closer to God through this opportunity to contemplate in the midst of action. Many students have expressed to me how this has become an integral part of their spiritual life.

Chris: Two examples come to mind: Dorothy Day and Mother Teresa. They both made it clear that they received power and generosity to go out and serve the poorest of the poor because of the profound experience they had with the Blessed Sacrament. I see the same effect on students. It is no coincidence that the students who come to these Holy Hours are passionate about serving the poor and seeking justice for the marginalized.

Where and when are these Holy Hours?

Phil: The praise and Worship Holy Hour is on Monday nights at 10 p.m. in the Notre Dame Chapel. That is on the second floor of Notre Dame Hall.

Chris: Adoration with Solemn Benediction is on Fridays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at College Church in the main church.

Phil & Chris: Some people come for the whole hour; others come for just a part, depending on their schedule.

Here is what students are saying about Eucharistic Adoration:

“EA is an opportunity to see Christ face to face. Do you realize what that means? I look at Christ and then look at His face in the people I am surrounded by. It is impossible to separate the Blessed Sacrament found at the altar from the blessed sacrament found in life.” -Cab Gutting, Sophomore, philosophy major

“Mass is much more deeply meaningful now after the experience of adoration of the Eucharist.” -Chad Koehnke, freshman, Aviation Science major

“Adoration helps me put the Eucharist at the center of my life, and helps me focus on what my life is for, the purpose of my life.” -Don Lassus, freshman, Chemistry major

“I look forward to Monday nights because adoration of the Eucharist fills me with the peace that nothing else can give me but Christ.” -Karen Bromeier, freshman, Physical Therapy major

“Every week the Praise and Worship Holy Hour brings me back to the center of my life.” -Brian Sammon, freshman, philosophy major

“It has taught me that anything is possible with God; it is a time to let go and let God, and that makes me more peaceful.” -Liz Buncher, Fontbonne freshman

“Eucharistic Adoration has become an anchor in my life. It is a foundation to build on; it helps me to pray throughout the week.” -Chris Schroeder, freshman, philosophy major

“Coming together with other people before the Eucharist helps me center my life on God.”-Cheryl Dust, junior, nursing major

“Eucharistic Adoration is such an awesome experience because it allows you to reach into your soul and heart and be more passionate about Jesus, death and resurrection and the faith in general.” -Karla Pruemer, freshman, undecided

“Eucharistic Adoration provides me with some much-needed quiet time before the Lord, not preoccupied with my own concerns, but rather given over to Him in worship.” -Sam Conedera, Junior, History and Spanish major

“Through this last year we have all witnessed a miracle through Monday’s Praise and Worship bringing together hundreds of college students to the Blessed Sacrament to find peace and love in front of the presence of God.” -Ray Harter, sophomore, theology and communications major

“Eucharistic Adoration convinced me of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It is because of this presence that I am converting to Catholicism.” -Liz Sperry, graduate student in philosophy

Thanks to all who have helped make this powerful form of prayer available to us, and thank God for His marvelous ways.

James R. Brent is a graduate student in philosophy.