There is a traditional devotional practice called a “Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament.” This is about as simple as it sounds. One just needs to enter a church or chapel and be near Christ present in Blessed Sacrament whether in the tabernacle or exposed in Eucharistic adoration. You simply spend a few moments of intimacy with the Lord, often reciting some prayers and personal petitions. A short time before the Blessed Sacrament will help us to recall the presence of God in our daily routine. Many saints have recommended this practice.
St Josemaria Escrivá said, “Jesus has remained in the Sacred Host for us so as to stay by our side, to sustain us, to guide us. And love can be repaid with love only. How could we not turn to the Blessed Sacrament each day, even if it is only for a few minutes, to bring him our greetings and our love as children and as brothers?”
St. Alphonsus Liguori said, “Know also that you will probably gain more by praying fifteen minutes before the Blessed Sacrament than by all the other spiritual exercises of the day. True, Our Lord hears our prayers anywhere, for He has made the promise, ‘Ask, and you shall receive,’ but He has revealed to His servants that those who visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament will obtain a more abundant measure of grace.”
Prince of Peace has had the practice of praying a Rosary for every parish family by name the past couple Octobers. We had baskets filled with the names of our 2600+ families. People drew the names, prayed a Rosary for them, and then repeated with an new name.
This year, in light of our number one priority of Eucharistic Revival, we are merging the two things to lift every parish family up to Jesus in the Eucharist. Draw a name (basket is out in the vestibule). Then lift up the family to Jesus during a Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament. This could be done anytime—before or after Mass, during an Adoration hour, during any time of the day—but should be done in the presence of the Eucharist (church or chapel). You could do this in your own words quite simply. But if you want a very nice prayer from St. Alphonsus (that I will add onto to include prayer for the family you drew) see below. Thank you for praying for parishioners and visiting Jesus in the Eucharist!
Peace,
Fr. Greg
My Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that you are really here in this Sacrament. Night and day you remain here compassionate and loving. You call, you wait for, you welcome, everyone who comes to visit you.
Unimportant though I am, I adore you. I thank you for all the wonderful graces you have given me. But I thank you especially for having given me yourself in this Sacrament, for having asked your own Mother to mother me, for having called me here to talk to you.
I am here before you today to do three things: to thank you for these precious gifts, to make up for all the disrespect that you receive in this Sacrament from those who offend you, to adore you everywhere in the world where you are present in this living bread but are left abandoned and unloved.
My Jesus, I love you with all my heart. I know I have displeased you in the past—I am sorry. With your help I promise never to do it again. I am only a miserable sinner, but I consecrate myself to you completely. I give you my will, my love, my desires, everything I own. From now on do what you please with me. All I ask is that you love me, that you keep me faithful to the end of my life. I ask for the grace to do your will exactly as you want it done.
I pray for the souls in purgatory—especially for those who were close to you in this Sacrament and close to your Mother Mary. I pray for every soul hardened in sin.
(Fr. Greg’s addition) I also lift up <<insert name of family>> and place them in your most loving Eucharistic heart. Please draw them closer to you, fill them with your grace, and bless them.
My Savior, I unite my love to the love of your divine heart, and I offer them both together to your Father. I beg him to accept this offering in your name. Amen.