WARWICK— Spiritual renewal has been at the front of the minds of many of the faithful in recent years, as we seek answers to questions such as, how do we deepen our sense of devotion and love for God in a world filled with distractions? And how does one remain close to God in a culture that, to ever greater degrees, is endorsing values out of line with the truths of the faith?
The transformative power of the Eucharist was on glorious display on Thursday, Sept. 19, when more than 400 joy-filled Catholics gathered on the grounds of Aldrich Mansion to participate in an evening Holy Hour led by Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.
Organized by the Office of Family, Youth and Young Adult Evangelization, the event was preceded by the performance of praise and worship music by a group of local Catholic musicians. The core of the night’s event alternated between short meditations offered by Bishop Lewandowski, the singing of hymns, and silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
“Spend time in the presence of Jesus, listening to his voice, offering him our praise, and lifting up our intentions together,” said Hannah Kline, youth and young adult evangelization consultant for the Diocese of Providence and one of the event’s organizers.
“Adoration is a special time to just be with our Lord, to reflect what he’s doing in our hearts, in our parishes, and in our diocese. Tonight, we will pray for this new school year, for the revival of our parishes, for a deeper outpouring of mercy in our communities, and for all that God wants to do here in Rhode Island,” going on to describe Adoration as a time where the faithful can “simply rest in his presence and open ourselves up to his love.”
Throughout the evening, as the faithful prayed before the Blessed Sacrament, illuminated at dusk by the warm light of flickering candles on the steps of the waterfront mansion, Bishop Lewandowski provided a series of short meditations reflecting upon the nature of the Eucharist and its implications for the spiritual life of the believer.
“Jesus appears in the Eucharist in complete and utter simplicity. That might be why it’s so hard for some to accept that he’s really here, that he’s really present. … How could something so simple, so small and fragile, so delicate, hold the full measure of the work of redemption, and what it means for each of us, and the world? It is, in a sense, unbelievable. Lord, we do believe, that in your simplicity…You’re here with us,” the bishop said.
The bishop went on to quote from the great 18th century saint, theologian and Doctor of the Church St. Alphonsus de Ligouri, who wrote “‘Do not fear My Majesty,’ He [Jesus] says; ‘it is hidden in this bread for you to overcome your fear and to give you confidence, that you might approach Me, and in Me find Life and Love.’”
“I’m excited to be in this space with all these people praising Jesus, and spending time with Jesus,” said Eily Clossick, age 28, of St. Thomas More parish in Narragansett.
“I loved this event,” said participant Glenn Houlker. “It was also nice to meet Bishop Bruce.”
Father Jairon Olmos-Rivera, parochial vicar of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Providence, and St. Michael Parish, Providence, as well as the assistant vocations director for the diocese said the Adoration would continue to bear fruit for the participants long after it would be over.
“It’s a gift of the Holy Spirit under the guidance of Bishop Bruce,” said Father Olmos-Rivera said. “To have this wonderful idea of gathering the community outdoors to praise the Lord, that’s beautiful. I cannot count how many gifts and fruits will come from this time of prayer.”
