An hour of adoration

As was reported earlier this week, the Holy Father led an unprecedented worldwide hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament this evening in Rome.  From 5:00pm to 6:00pm local time in Rome, millions of Catholics around the world took part in an hour of Solemn Eucharistic Adoration in their own Cathedrals and churches before the Blessed Sacrament.

The Holy Hour was televised from Saint Peter's Basilica where Pope Francis knelt in prayer for the entire hour.  As part of the celebrations of the Year of Faith, the Holy Father had issued a call for Catholics around the world to join him in an hour of solemn adoration on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord.

The Holy Father asked that this time of Eucharistic Adoration be offered especially: 

For the Church spread throughout the world and united today in the adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist as a sign of unity: May the Lord make her ever more obedient to hearing his Word in order to stand before the world ‘ever more beautiful, without stain or blemish, but holy and blameless.’ That through her faithful announcement, the Word that saves may still resonate as the bearer of mercy and may increase love to give full meaning to pain and suffering, giving back joy and serenity; and

For those around the world who still suffer slavery and who are victims of war, human trafficking, drug running, and slave labor. For the children and women who are suffering from every type of violence. May their silent scream for help be heard by a vigilant Church so that, gazing upon the crucified Christ, she may not forget the many brothers and sisters who are left at the mercy of violence. Also, for all those who find themselves in economically precarious situations, above all for the unemployed, the elderly, migrants, the homeless, prisoners, and those who experience marginalization. That the Church’s prayer and its active nearness give them comfort and assistance in hope and strength and courage in defending human dignity.

Solemn Adoration consisted of Gospel readings taken from Christ’s Eucharistic discourse in the Gospel of Saint John, chapter six, along with traditional Eucharistic hymns and chants. Prayers from each of the past six popes, beginning with Pope Pius XII and concluding with Pope Benedict XVI, were offered during Adoration, with invocations for the needs of all mankind. 

The ceremony concluded with the Tantum ergo and solemn benediction with the Blessed Sacrament by Pope Francis.