Diocese participates in worldwide Eucharistic Adoration

Intermountain Catholic

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Bishop John C. Wester leads the procession during the Solemnity of Eucharistic Adoration at the Cathedral of the Madeleine on June 2. IC photo/Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — Pope Francis called for a worldwide Solemnity of Eucharistic Adoration and Prayer on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi June 2. A number of parishes throughout the Diocese of Salt Lake City participated in the simultaneous Eucharistic holy hour. 

Among them was Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Midvale. Father Martin Diaz, pastor, said his parishioners liked the idea of being united with the whole world.

"People feel a certain kind of good pride being able to unite with the whole world in prayer and to do their small part at the parish by holding a holy hour, he said. "People just love the Eucharist. They want to pray quietly; they want to sing, offer prayers and especially be united with the Holy Father in prayer."

During the Feast of Corpus Christi Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, said in his opening remarks, "As we celebrate this Solemnity, we join in prayer with Pope Francis that we may grow in reverence for Christ’s Eucharistic presence among us."

The bishop went on to say in his homily that "Eucharistic adoration enables us to adore Christ and to thank Christ for his presence with us. In doing this, we are seeking grace and inspiration to grow in our love for Jesus and in our appreciation in his love for us.

"Jesus is one with us in the inner most center and core of our being," Bishop Wester added. "Today’s feast allows us to adore Christ and to see how he continues to draw us to himself, and how we participate in this relationship. Jesus empties himself to become one with us, and we are called to empty ourselves to make a space for Jesus. We become whom we receive."

At Saint Ann Parish in Salt Lake City, Father Michael Sciumbato held a holy hour with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the rosary and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In this Year of Faith, St. Ann Church is one of 12 parishes Bishop Wester designated in the diocese as a pilgrimage site. Parishioners can receive a plenary indulgence by going on a pilgrimage to any one of these parishes.

Fr. Sciumbato bestowed a plenary indulgence on those attending St. Ann’s holy hour by having the parishioners also renew their baptismal promises.

"Today on this Solemnity, we prayed in union with the whole world giving thanks for the great gift that is ours in the Eucharist, praying for many intentions," said Fr. Sciumbato. "We also offered a plenary indulgence; a complete remission of the punishment for a sin committed. The indulgence is a great gift to the Church, to her children."

St. Ann Parish has a holy hour each month at which pilgrims as well as parishioners are welcome, said Fr. Sciumbato. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the rosary and prayer intentions are offered.

Nora Mancuso, a St. Ann parishioner, said, "I thought the day was beautiful and I was happy that confession was going on at that time. I think it was awesome to get the plenary indulgence and I was happy to make use of it. St. Ann had a pretty good turnout, but I was disappointed not to see more people. More people need to pay attention to what the pope asks of us."

Saint Martin de Porres Parish in Taylorsville held a holy hour and procession of the Blessed Sacrament following each of the four Masses the weekend of June 2. The parish has observed the Solemnity of Corpus Christi each year with a procession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament since Father Jan Bednarz became the pastor in 2003.