Following is a brief explanation of the term and of the beliefs Catholics hold concerning the “Blessed Sacrament”.
Since the Last Supper, when Jesus broke the bread and distributed the wine, saying, “This is my Body” and “This is my Blood”, Catholics have believed that the bread and wine are no longer merely bread and wine, but are the actual presence of Jesus in His resurrected, glorified state. We also believe that Jesus, through the action of the priest in the act of consecration during Mass (the Liturgy of the Eucharist), changes the substance of bread (usually in the form of a wafer or “host”) and wine into His living presence. The Blessed Sacrament, also called Holy Eucharist, is received by the faithful in Holy Communion. We believe that the Real Presence of Jesus in the form of the Blessed Sacrament does not end when Communion is complete. The Blessed Sacrament, in the form of consecrated hosts, is reserved in the tabernacle. The presence of the Eucharistic Jesus in the tabernacle is indicated by the burning candle in the red sanctuary light located near the tabernacle.
Since we hold our belief in the Real Presence, Catholics show signs of reverence such as genuflecting or bowing toward the tabernacle on entering and leaving the church as well as a reverent, not necessarily silent, demeanor while in the church when the Blessed Sacrament is present. The words: “Be still and know that I am God...”(Ps.46) come to mind.
Many Catholics find that being in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament is a source of comfort and consolation and consider frequent meditation and prayer before the Blessed Sacrament exposed (displayed in the ornate vessel called the monstrance) to be a path to spiritual growth. This devotional practice is known as Eucharistic Adoration.
Our parish is blessed with a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel opened in 2004. There is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 24 hours a day here in our chapel with someone always present spending some time with Jesus in the Tabernacle—the chapel is open for all to come and visit