Pope Pius XII in front of the Blessed Sacrament, inside the monstrance

We were joined yet again by a new face: Cecily from Singapore. We’re so happy to have you with us! We were 10 students in total.

Clarisse and father Al had come up with the theme and content together. Here is the entire program, for those who could not be with us, or other groups who need ideas for their adorations:

Opening song: Adoramus te Christe

Opening prayer.

The Healing Power of God Luke 5, 17-26

One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing.
18 And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set (him) in his presence.
19 But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus.
20 When he saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.”
21 Then the scribes 9 and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?”
22 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts?
23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–he said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
25 He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God.
26 Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.”

Silence and contemplation (meditative music)

The Healing of a Deaf and Mute Man, Mark 7, 31-37

Jesus left the district of Tyre
and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,
into the district of the Decapolis.
And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment
and begged him to lay his hand on him.
He took him off by himself away from the crowd.
He put his finger into the man’s ears
and, spitting, touched his tongue;
then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
” Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”)
And immediately the man’s ears were opened,
his speech impediment was removed,
and he spoke plainly.
He ordered them not to tell anyone.
But the more he ordered them not to,
the more they proclaimed it.
They were exceedingly astonished and they said,
“He has done all things well.
He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Silence and contemplation

Meditative song: Bless the Lord My Soul
(Lyric: “Bless the Lord my soul and bless His holy name. Bless the Lord my soul, who leads me into life”)

Reading: Luke 13, 10-17 (Consider being in the position of the crippled woman or perhaps just being in the crowd observing what was going on)

10 He was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath.
11 And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.
12 When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.”
13 He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.
14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.”
15 The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering?
16 This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?”
17 When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.

Silence and contemplation (Meditative music)

Remember: God has a positive answer

You say: It’s impossible. God says; All things are possible – Luke 18:27

You say: I’m too tired. God says; I will give you rest – Matthew 11:28-30

You say: Nobody really loves me. God says: I love you – John 3:16

You say: I can’t go on.  God says; My grace is sufficient – II Corinthins 12:9

You say: I can’t figure things out. God says: I will direct your steps – Proverbs 3:5-6

You say: I’m afraid.  God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear – II Timothy 1:7

You say: I’m not smart enough. God says: I give you wisdom – I Corinthians 1:30

Sharing of spontaneous personal payers
Reponse: Kyrie, kyrie eleison, Christe, Christe eleison

Our Father

Closing rite: Tantum Ergo verse 5 and 6 (Adoremus number 246)

Closing song: Jesus Christ, You are my life (Adoremus number 195)

Thank you so much Clarisse for working on the program and singing so beautifully for us, and to Father Al who helped us and heard our confessions!

I leave you with these words from our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI: