“In the silence of the heart God speaks. If you face God in prayer and silence, God will speak to you.” – Mother Teresa
We are all on a spiritual journey. Some of us are still searching for God while others are looking to grow closer to Him. The easiest way to progress in our spiritual lives is to spend time in prayer each day. One of the ways in which we can do that is to take a few minutes in the Adoration Chapel.
Each Monday morning and Wednesday evening, Jesus is exposed in the Blessed Sacrament for prayer in the little chapel, located in the front of the church on the Hopkins Avenue side. Several of our parishioners devote at least 30 minutes with Him in prayer weekly and they have been deeply touched by God during that time.
Marilyn Schiffman says, “I have prayed with Jesus in the Adoration Chapel once a week since the summer of 2023 (except when the Chapel was closed for renovation). I have ‘talked’ with Jesus in many ways over the decades but being with Him in the Adoration Chapel has an intimacy and power like none other. I pray for myself, for my Beloveds, for members and leadership of our parish and the whole Church, for the nation and for the world. I know that Jesus listens…and then He speaks in my inner heart. I am so grateful for this Holy Time with Him.”
Rachel Leibrandt considers the Adoration chapel as one of Christ the King’s best-kept secrets. It is a source of solace and comfort for her and for many others. Rachel says, “Years ago, my dad, mom and I would go to the chapel together after her doctor’s appointments. My mom had cancer, and it was a way that we could lay all of our prayers at the foot of the monstrance and know that no matter what happened, Jesus was in control. Now, almost 13 years later, I still go into that same chapel. This time I am alone, but it is where I can still spiritually meet my parents and Jesus. My weekly commitment to Adoration has become such a beautiful part of my week. Signing up for a designated time is like having an appointment with Jesus. I am greeted by a fellow adorer who always smiles and whispers, ‘He’s so glad you’re here.’”
“Sometimes I simply sit and lay all of my prayers before Jesus. Other times I come with a notebook in hand because I have something I need to discern. Weekly Adoration has changed my heart. The seed was planted all those years ago by my parents, and it is now something that keeps me spiritually strong. Sitting in that little chapel, I can feel that I am “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) that are helping me along my journey.
Jennifer McHugh-Barker