Adoration for Vocations

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is the difference between a regular Adoration program and Adoration for Vocations?

Answer: Adoration for Vocations is organized just like a general Eucharistic Adoration program, only it has the added dimension of encouraging the lay faithful to pray for their existing priests and religious as well as for new vocations to the Church. It aims to not only enrich parish life by increasing Eucharistic devotion but also to “pray to the Lord of the harvest” for the vocations that the Church needs! It also has the incentive of being part of a world-wide network.

Question: Will enough people in my parish be willing to support Adoration for Vocations or Perpetual Adoration for Vocations? Also, won’t vacations, holidays, etc. pose a serious problem?

Answer: Those who have the great faith to start any modality of the Adoration for Vocations Programs are always surprised at the many people who respond and remain faithful to it! The more hours available for adoration, the more people actually sign up because more individuals can find at least one hour a week in their schedules to spend

with Christ. “The Guide to Starting Adoration for Vocations in a Diocese or Parish” provides everything your Program Coordinator will need to organize Eucharistic Adoration in your parish on a weekly, monthly or perpetual basis including concrete ways to attract parishioners to Adoration. A “substitute system” is incorporated into

the program to allow any adorer unable to keep his or her commitment (due to vacations etc.) to easily find a substitute. The key is just to begin, remembering that Christ is never outdone in generosity!

Question: Will having only one or two Guardians at a time fulfill the general directives of the Church?

Answer: The directives for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, as explicitly outlined in Article 90 of “Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass” state “The form of adoration in which one or two members of the community take turns before the Blessed Sacrament is also to be maintained and highly commended."

Question: Won’t extended exposition on a regular basis diminish the importance of exposition at special times such as Holy Thursday evening.

Answer: Actually, the opposite is true! Regular Eucharistic Adoration and Perpetual Adoration leads to a greater understanding and love for the Eucharist. The natural consequence of this is increased attendance at Sunday Mass, daily Mass, other Eucharistic devotions, and all other aspects of parish life!

Question: Can exposition occur in a side chapel or a room somewhere?  Shouldn’t exposition always be in a specially constructed chapel or on the main altar?

Answer: The main body of the parish church will often be in use for Masses, weddings, funerals etc, which would interrupt Adoration. Not every parish can afford to construct a special Adoration Chapel, so many parishes have converted smaller rooms such as cry rooms, usher rooms, storerooms, and classrooms into beautiful adoration chapels

with little expense. The cost of heating and cooling the smaller space is much more practical for the parish and the intimate atmosphere is more conducive to prayer.

Question: Is it really necessary to have exposition to have Adoration for Vocations? Isn’t Jesus just as present in the tabernacle?

Answer: Yes, Christ is present in the same, real way both in the tabernacle and the monstrance. However, seeing him in the monstrance makes a difference to us since it is more solemn and intimate, and helps us pray better. This extra solemnity actually makes adorers more careful to be faithful to their commitment, since Christ cannot be left alone

when exposed on the altar whereas He can be left alone in the tabernacle.

Question: Where can I get more information?

Answer: To learn more about the worldwide efforts of Adoration for Vocations, please log onto the Adoration for Vocations section of w w w . v o c a t i o n . c o m .