Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Spain’s National Council of Adoration Groups
Madrid (Fides Service) - Pedro García Mendoza, President of Spain’s National Council of Adoration Groups illustrates the activity of people who choose to be Night Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament in the highly secularised world of today, where religious awareness is in steep decline.
How is night Adoration articulated in Spain today ? After 128 does it not seem out of date and even incomprehensible to the men and women of today?
Night adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continues in Spain, despite difficulties. The country is ever more secular but we continue with enthusiasm with total trust in God’s help. Some think Adoration is a thing of the past and yet our groups continue to welcome new members especially people most committed to evangelisation. Spain today has 750 sectors of Adoration Groups present in every diocese. They form a network of parish, diocesan and local councils with about 25,000 members who make a monthly prayer vigil. Spain has four sectors of Adoration Groups, men, women, young people and children.
Adoration is always relevant because of its purpose is to adore Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament, source and summit of the life of the Church. Members have always been people of all ages, children called “Tarcisi”, young people, adults and elderly people
To give new vitality to devotion to the Eucharist the National Council organises meetings for these groups all over the country oriented to the Christian formation of members and to spread adoration in our Groups and in general. Despite obstacles and secularism we continue to present our charisma convinced that a person needs to adore the Creator and Saviour: our activity is essentially prayer, contemplation and adoration of Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament. God is present in tabernacles all over the world, but most people are unaware of this. Our aim is to be as often as we can with Jesus and to pray while people are sleeping .
How does Adoration help a local Catholic community and how can it be part of the Church’s evangelising mission?
Adoration is fulfilling the Church’s duty to adore the Father “in spirit and in truth” united with Christ in the Eucharist. For the parish it is an example for family and social life, and our members are also involved in evangelisation according to personal charisma and talents. Members of our groups are also catechists who prepare children for First Holy Communion, Confirmation, members of liturgical animation teams, or parish choirs, Caritas, charity groups, home visits to the sick, etc. Parish priests know they can rely on our members for evangelisation.
Are there Adoration Groups in mission lands?
Adoration Groups exist in Europe, Africa, America, Asia and Oceania with 6 million members. From Spain these groups spread to Portugal and to some African countries such as Equatorial Guinea where members often have to walk for several hours to reach the church where there is adoration. When they have finished they have to walk home again. These people are an admirable example of love for Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament.(RZ) (Agenzia Fides 15/10/2005, righe 53, parole 627)
