Eucharistic Adoration

On Tuesdays of each week, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration at 8:30 A.M. after the 8:00 A.M. Mass.  Adoration takes place all day until the celebration of Benediction at 9:00 P.M.

Parishioners take turns in prayer in 30-60 minute segments.  You can stop by any time.  However, we do need weekly Adorers – those who sign up and cover a specific time each Tuesday.

If you have questions or would like to sign up for a specific time each Tuesday, please contact the parish office at 301-627-3255 or parish@stmaryum.org.

Or you can complete the online form by clicking here.

What is Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament?

At St. Mary’s, the devotion begins with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Tuesdays 8:30AM Mass.  A priest or deacon removes the sacred host from the tabernacle and places it on the altar for adoration.

The purpose of adoration is to highlight the present of Our Lord in the Eucharist.  When a consecrated host is placed in the monstrance, it is said to be a solemn exposition.  While Adoration ceremonies traditionally include Scripture readings, hymns, and prayers, our Eucharistic Adoration normally consists of time for prayer and silent adoration.

Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament, in prayer and devotion, is exactly the same as spending time before the living God.

In addition to Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, adoration occurs in other forms as well:  whenever someone kneels in front of the tabernacle that contains the Blessed Sacrament genuflects toward a tabernacle, bows before receiving the Blessed Sacrament at Mass.