Statutes Approved for the Recently Established Association of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

by Unknown

With a Decree issued on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, 2 June 1991, the Pontifical Council for the Laity erected the Association of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration as a universal and international public association of the faithful.

This association is dedicated to the promotion of Eucharistic worship and devotion with perpetual adoration before the exposed Blessed Sacrament as a particular characteristic of its apostolate of prayer.

The Decree also approves the Statutes of the Association which ensure that the apostolate is in harmony with the doctrine and discipline of the Church.

The Association of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration was founded by Mr L. Owen Traynor who received papal encouragement of the Apostolate in Rome on 24 May 1986, when His Holiness Pope John Paul II presented a monstrance to him, bearing the papal crest and motto Totus tuus", which refers to our Blessed Mother to whom the Pope has a great devotion.

The Holy Father said to Mr Traynor on that occasion, "Thank you for this evangelical work. It is a grace for the Church. You have my encouragement and blessing with this monstrance".

Prior to the establishment of the apostolate of Eucharistic adoration, Mr Traynor, a native of Australia - had formed the Apostles of Mary with the approval of Cardinal Freeman, Archbishop of Sydney, Australia. As part of that apostolate, tape recordings of the talks of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen were promoted because of their sound teaching and the importance which he gave to a daily holy hour before the Eucharist.

Being an apostolate of the laity the organization, is in their hands, and so no added burden is laid upon parish structure. The members of the Association have as their aim the development of the contemplative dimension of Christian life. Adoration, praise and thanksgiving will be the basis for their apostolate of intercession. Prayer is the sole instrument of the apostolate.

Mr L. Owen Traynor's application for pontifical approval of the Association of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration was presented to the Council for the Laity by Bishop Fremiot Torres Oliver, Bishop of Ponce in Puerto Rico.

Some may be surprised or even doubtful about the possibility of such a programme of adoration, it may even appear to be an enormous undertaking. Practically this is not so difficult as might seem. The Association has guidelines which help the members to organize themselves. What it amounts to in reality is that each member offers to take responsibility for one hour of adoration a week. How little that is in reality. Of course the discipline lies in fidelity and the element of personal sacrifice in giving up free time or even sleep in order to be with the Lord in this particular form of prayer.

The impression has sometimes been given that since the renewal of the liturgy following upon the Second Vatican Council such forms of devotion are not encouraged or are even no longer popular This is not true. The example of the enthusiasm for Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in many places throughout the world is enough to show that people do want to pray. The members of the Association aim to have the Eucharist at the centre of their lives, and so deepen their love for the Church and obedience to the Magisterium and legitimate authority. Through devotion to the Body of Christ they strive to build up in love and charity the Body of Christ which is his Church. Holiness is a mark of the Church, prayer is a testimony of that holiness.

This item 3028 digitally provided courtesy of CatholicCulture.org