Just days after Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP launched the Year of Prayer in preparation for Eucharist28, the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney began a series of formation sessions that aims to grow appreciation for Eucharist Adoration across the Archdiocese.
The formation sessions were really created in response to many parishioners on the ground expressing a longing to pray better and understand more deeply the theology behind the Eucharistic Adoration.
The first session brought parishioners, acolytes and cantors from across the South West Deanery for an evening of theology, history, music and adoration, centred on the Eucharist, to St Christopher’s Catholic church in Holsworthy on 4 March.
Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney Liturgy Office Director Dr Mariusz Biliniewicz, who led the formation on Eucharistic Adoration theology and history, wanted to explain to all the participants “why we celebrate Adoration in the first place and why it matters”.
“We wanted to help acolytes and altar servers with preparing and assisting at the ceremony of the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, so we addressed some very practical matters,” said Dr Biliniewicz.
“We also wanted to help cantors and musicians with preparing a dignified musical setting that would be worthy of the occasion.
“Finally, and most importantly, we wanted everyone to have a great formational experience of the Holy Hour in the church, after the training.”
Following the formation, Director of Jubilate Deo Programme Ronan Reilly spent an hour looking over some core chants that have been sung for hundreds of years in honour of the Blessed Sacrament.
“Our mission at Jubilate Deo Programme is to bring sacred music to as many people as possible & to encourage people in their sacred music journey,” said Reilly.
“The collective group sound was very impressive, especially considering most people had no background or experience of singing.
“The final hymn (Godhead Here in Hiding) for the Holy Hour was beautifully sung and filled the whole church.”
Both presenters received very positive feedback with many commenting that the formation led to a Holy Hour that was beautiful, very dignified and a truly transformative experience.
Some participants commented on the importance of silence that accompanied the Adoration and how much such holy silence is needed in today’s often hectic and noisy world which, with all its distractions, leaves little space for reflection.
“It was very moving to see so many people simply praying or meditating in front of the Blessed Sacrament,” said Dr Biliniewicz.
“I hope that many participants will try to help their own parishes to make this experience available also in their churches.”
Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Eucharist28 Sebastian Condon has echoed the positive feedback from the formation session, confident that the participant’s renewed feeling and revival in their life of prayer will extend to the entire Archdiocese and beyond.
“Prayer is the basis of all that we do, and Eucharist28 will undoubtedly be a transformative moment of grace for tremendous numbers of people,” said Condon.
“But in order for our hearts to be receptive to what God is asking of us, we have to habituate ourselves to a pattern of prayer and responsiveness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
“In our disconnected society it is easy for us to lose sight of the fact that, along with the people who sit next to us or behind us in the pews at Church, we are all members of the one Body – that we truly become what we receive at Mass, the Body of Christ.
“A deeper appreciation of our intrinsic unity, and a greater sense of communion between all members of that Body would be a wonderful fruit from these sessions.”
There are a number of formation sessions being run across the Sydney Archdiocese in March and May.
Click here to register your participation in the next session.
