Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Eucharistic Adoration is the act of worshiping God as he is present in the consecrated Eucharist.
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Since the Last Supper, when Jesus broke the bread and distributed the wine, saying, "This is my body" and "This is my blood," Catholics have believed that the bread and wine are no longer merely baked wheat and fermented grape juice, but the actual living presence of the Second Person of the Trinity.
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Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament, in prayer and devotion, is exactly the same as spending time before the living God. What an incredible reality! Adoration occurs whenever someone kneels in front of a tabernacle that contains the Blessed Sacrament, genuflects toward a tabernacle, bows before receiving the Blessed Sacrament at Mass, or, in a more focused way, when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration.
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Although the Real Presence has been recognized since the time of the apostles, evidence shows Perpetual Adoration may have begun in the sixth century in the Cathedral of Lugo, Spain. By the 12th century, St. Thomas á Becket is known to have prayed for King Henry II before the "majesty of the Body of Christ," and by the 16th century, the devotion known as Forty Hours had developed.
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In 19th-century France, perpetual adoration developed in communities of contemplative nuns. The devotion eventually spread to parishes throughout the world.
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At the Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul, we offer Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on First Friday of the month following the 12pm Mass until 5:30 Benediction. Exposition resumes Friday night at 9am through Saturday at 7am. Additionally, you may to adore the Blessed Sacrament contained in the Tabernacle anytime the Basilica is open.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is offered every First Friday and every Friday of Lent following the 12pm Mass, and concludes with Solemn Benediction at 5:30 pm. Exposition will continue through the night from 9 pm - 7 am Sat., hosted by our Hispanic community.