Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction

Join us every Thursday for Eucharistic Adoration, in prayer and devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Annunciation.

Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament + Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH)

• Every Thursday
• Eucharistic Adoration 5 pm
• Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
• Recitation of The Divine Praises
• Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament
• Holy Mass 6 pm

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) will be available during Eucharistic Adoration.

Check with the parish office or website in case of cancellation or for latest updates.

Annunciation Catholic Church

9420 – 163 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5R 0A7

annunciation.caedm.ca

What Is Eucharistic Adoration?

Eucharistic adoration is a time for prayer in which Christians—particularly the Catholic faithful—adore our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Adoration can take place either when the Church reserves our Eucharistic Lord Jesus in the tabernacle, or when a priest or deacon exposes the consecrated Host in a monstrance outside of Mass. This type of worship logically flows from the Catholic dogma that Jesus is truly and sacramentally present—body, blood, soul, and divinity—in the Eucharist, in this case under the appearance of bread in the consecrated Host.

In adoration, Catholics seek to revere and encounter deeply our Lord in the Eucharist. It is a wonderful time for prayer, thanksgiving, and worship. catholic.com/eucharistic-adoration

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” (John, CHAPTER 6)

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Penance (Confession) is God’s recognition that we are human. If you haven’t been to Confession in a while, this will be a confidential opportunity to experience God’s mercy, forgiveness and love. The Archdiocese of Edmonton has a brief description of the sacrament and some reflection questions based on your age or status in life to make a good examination of conscience. annunciation.caedm.ca/first-reconciliation

Incense

In the Catholic tradition, incense is far more than just a "nice smell." It is a multi-sensory liturgical tool designed to engage the body and soul, rooted in thousands of years of biblical tradition.

1. Why is Incense Used?

The use of incense is deeply symbolic, serving three primary purposes:

• The Ascent of Prayer: The most common meaning comes from Psalm 141:2: "Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee." As the smoke rises, it visually represents the prayers of the faithful ascending to God.
• The Presence of the Divine: In the Old Testament, God often appeared in a "cloud" (the Shekinah glory). The thick, sweet-smelling smoke creates a physical "cloud" in the sanctuary, reminding the congregation that they are in a sacred space where heaven meets earth.
• Purification and Setting Apart: Historically and symbolically, incense "sanctifies" or "sets apart" whatever it touches. It signals that the objects or people being incensed are being dedicated to God.

2. The Purpose of Incensing People

You’ll notice that during a High Mass, the priest or deacon will turn and bow to the congregation before swinging the thurible (the metal incense burner) toward them. This isn't just a polite gesture; it carries significant theological weight:

Acknowledging the "Temple of the Holy Spirit"

The Church teaches that every baptized person is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Just as the priest incenses the altar (which represents Christ) and the Gospel book (which is the Word of God), he incenses the people to acknowledge their inherent dignity and the presence of God within them.

Inclusion in the Sacrifice

By incensing the congregation, the priest symbolically gathers the "spiritual sacrifices" of the people. It signals that the laity are not just spectators, but active participants offering their lives and prayers alongside the priest.

Purification for the Eucharist

The act of incensing the people usually occurs during the Offertory, right before the most sacred part of the Mass (the Eucharistic Prayer). It serves as a final, symbolic "cleansing" of the assembly, preparing them to enter into the presence of the Real Presence.

The resin used in Catholic incense is usually Frankincense, one of the gifts brought by the Magi to the infant Jesus, further linking the ritual to the adoration of Christ's divinity.