BY GAIL DEIBLER FINKE

The ancient practice of Eucharistic Adoration is founded in the desire to sit with, contemplate and pray in the presence of the Body and Blood of Christ outside of Mass. Many churches open their doors weekly or monthly for people to pray before the tabernacle, where consecrated Hosts are reserved. Some also offer Eucharistic exposition, when they display, or “expose,” a consecrated Host in an ornate holder called a monstrance.

At least one person must be present in the Church at all times during Eucharistic exposition, making it difficult for many parishes to offer it often or for long. Volunteer “guardians” are needed to cover shifts during long periods of exposition, watching over the altar.

“We have to make time for those we love,” says Dan Greene, director of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center in Norwood. “There are only 168 hours in a week—we need to find time to sit before our Creator and say, ‘Please bring me order and peace!’ Adoration is the ultimate peace.”

For people unfamiliar with the practice, the first hurdle is understanding what to do when at Adoration. “It’s intimidating,” says Debby Keller, who coordinates Adoration at St. Maximilian Kolbe in Liberty Twp., a suburban parish where “making a Holy Hour” is new to many. “We tell [people] the way to get to know someone is to spend time with them, and this is the person you most want to know.”

Any sort of prayer is appropriate, as is spiritual reading, and, while taking an hour is traditional, even a brief visit can be fruitful. Associated with vocations to priesthood and religious life, Eucharistic Adoration is now often included in retreats and youth events as an important way to slow down and to experience God’s presence.

So, when you’re planning your travel time, why not consider a day trip that includes a stop for Adoration?

Sorrowful Mother Chapel
Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center Norwood
Located inside the former seminary, the chapel offers Adoration with Exposition to the public Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.; and to designated adorers for all other hours.
www.olhsc.org
Things to see in Norwood: The center’s building and grounds, Xavier University’s campus, Rookwood Commons & Pavilion, Norwood Mound prehistoric earthwork

Blessed Sacrament Chapel
St. Maximilian Kolbe, Liberty Twp.
The adoration chapel behind the church’s main altar is open all day, every day. Exposition takes place on Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., First Fridays from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Mondays of Lent and Advent. Families with young children are especially invited on Thursdays from 11 a.m. – noon.
www.saint-max.org
Things to see in Liberty Twp: Liberty Center mall, Wetlands Park, Niederman Family Farm

St. Clare Adoration Chapel
St. Boniface, Piqua
Opened for perpetual adoration in 1990, the chapel outside the church lost adorers during the pandemic, but the parish family is working toward full perpetual adoration. Currently, the chapel is open continuously from Saturday at 6 a.m. to Thursday at 9 p.m., and on Friday from 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. (No overnight hours on Thursday or Friday.)
www.piquaparishes.org
Things to see in Piqua: Fort Piqua Plaza, Johnston Farm and Indian Agency, Farrington Reserve and trails

Mother of Mercy Chapel
St. Gertrude, Madeira
The perpetual adoration chapel outside the church lost adorers during the pandemic, but St. Gertrude is working toward full perpetual adoration. Current hours are 7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. every day. www.stgertrude.org
Things to see in Madeira: Hosbrook Bird Sanctuary, year-round Farmers Market (Thursdays)

Blessed Sacrament Chapel
St. Francis de Sales, Lebanon
Adoration in the chapel behind the altar is open from Monday at 8 a.m. to Saturday at 7 a.m. Adoration with exposition is one day and night each week (day rotates).
www.stfrancisdesales-lebanon.org
Things to see in Lebanon: Glendower Historic Mansion, Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, Golden Lamb Restaurant

The Adoration Chapel
Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics, Maria Stein
The Precious Blood Sisters carried on perpetual adoration for more than 100 years before moving to their Dayton Motherhouse and a lay Adoration Guild took over in 1957. Today, Adoration with exposition is available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
www.ariasteinshrine.org
Things to see in Maria Stein: Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics and grounds

The Blessed Sacrament Chapel
Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, Cincinnati
Adoration at the side altar is available during all hours the cathedral is open; Adoration with Exposition is held Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. with the special intention of vocations to the priesthood. www.stpeterinchainscathedral.org
Things to see in Cincinnati: Cincinnati Museum Center, National Underground Railroad Museum, The Banks, Cincinnati Reds’ Great American Ballpark, Carew Tower Observation Deck

 The National Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua, Cincinnati
A side chapel is open daily for prayer before a freestanding, glass-sided tabernacle from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
www.stanthony.org
Things to see: church, shrine, and extensive grounds

This article appeared in the July 2023 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.