Advent 2004-Fall 2005 has been designated as the Year of the Eucharist by Pope John Paul II.  The Diocese of Rapid City will celebrate the Year of the Eucharist with 40 Hours Adoration events scheduled in each of the six deaneries.

40 Hours Adoration Explained

The celebration of the Mass or Eucharist, is the center of our Catholic faith. Each week we gather to remember Jesus' death and resurrection when we celebrate Eucharist. We offer ourselves with Jesus to God the Father and receive from God the precious gift of the Resurrected Lord in Communion. The bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus during the Mass and our sharing in Communion brings us into union with God. It is a marvelous gift of our faith.

Our belief in the real presence of Jesus enables us to visit the church and pray before the Lord who is present in the tabernacle where the Body of Christ that has not been consumed during communion is reserved. Although we believe the Lord is always present in Spirit, this unique presence gives us tangible opportunity to encounter the Lord in his Eucharistic Body as well as in Spirit. From time to time, we expose the Body of Christ — the Eucharistic bread — in a vessel that allows us to look upon the Lord. This ritual action of adoration of the Lord is meant to allow us to become more aware of Christ's presence with his people. It calls us to a deeper love for Christ and the Mass and invites us to continue to live more fully our Christian faith. Above all, it deepens our desire to receive the Lord in Communion.