One of the good effects of the tragic events of September 11, 2001 is that they brought Americans together in prayer. Prayer services were held throughout the country, and churches reported increased attendance the weekend following the attacks. This showed that, despite our moral and religious deficiencies, there is still a deep-seated faith in God among the American people. We believe that God is good and all-powerful and that He brings good out of evil. Throughout salvation history God has sent adversity to bring people back to Him, and that is what He is doing again. One challenge among others facing us now is to make this partial turning back to God complete and permanent. Perpetual Eucharistic adoration is the most powerful means for doing that.
            The physical terror imposed by the hijackers on September 11 is an addition to the “social terrorism” we had already been experiencing in the United States and the rest of the West. Mother Angelica of EWTN coined the term social terrorist. She uses it to refer to “the kind of terrorists that go into schools and spread drugs,” to “the kind of terrorists that kidnap little children and make them prostitutes,” and to “the kind of terrorists in the entertainment world that put out on television…the most immoral movies” and who produce “Satan’s music for our little ones to absorb.” And there are the “gay-rights” terrorists that viciously attack the rights and reputations of those who publicly oppose the acceptability of homosexual lifestyles. A terrorist is “someone who wants to destroy.” The social terrorists are those who want to destroy us by destroying the moral fiber of our people.
            About 6000 people were murdered on September 11 in the name of Allah by self-righteous terrorists. About 5000 are being murdered each day in the name of women’s rights by self-serving abortionists. We were at war long before September 11. On January 22, 1973 our Supreme Court declared war on the next generation. Since then we have been legally eliminating the “threat” posed by “unwanted” unborn babies.
            Mother Angelica coined another term: spiritual terrorism. This is “the kind that makes you hide your crucifixes and anything religious in your office.” It is “the kind that says you can’t have a crib in public.” It is the kind that strictly forbids prayer in public places and at public functions. It is the kind that will not allow the Pledge of Allegiance to be said in public schools because it contains the words “under God.” One of its tactics is to prey on the American regard for fairness that fears “offending” anyone. Its terrorists are militant atheists, and they work through organizations such as the ACLU. The goal of this terrorism is the elimination of God and religion from American life. Its terrorists hijack the First Amendment by interpreting it to mean freedom from religion rather than freedom of religion. They make strenuous efforts to limit the free speech of Christians. Its propagandists refuse to allow our children in public schools to be taught even the possibility of God as being the Creator of the universe. It abuses the freedoms that many died throughout our history to preserve. Its successful attacks on our way of life should be a warning to us that those who allow their liberties to be abused may very well end up losing them.
            Social and spiritual terrorism must be fought along with physical terrorism. This too will involve us in a new kind of war. It will require total dedication to our Christian principles and a willingness to make sacrifices to uphold and defend them. The most powerful weapon we have for this war is prayer, especially prayer in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. 
            Increased devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the way to end all kinds or terrorism and bring genuine and lasting peace to the world. Pope Paul VI in Mysterium Fidei said that he was “encouraged by the most consoling hope of the blessings which will accrue to the whole Church and the entire world from an increase of devotion to the Eucharist.” And Pope John Paul II in a letter commemorating the 750^th anniversary of the first celebration of the feast of Corpus Christi said, “Through adoration, the Christian mysteriously contributes to the radical transformation of the world and to the sowing of the Gospel.” Pope John Paul II also tells us in Dominicae Cenae that through Eucharistic adoration we “make reparation for the great faults and crimes of the world.”
            These papal statements affirm the awesome power of Eucharistic adoration. They help us see why the power of perpetual adoration will bring about the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and open the world to the Eucharistic reign of Christ, during which the world will be free of terror and filled with the love of Christ.

Perpetual Eucharistic adoration began on October 29 at the beautiful new chapel of the Marian Friary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Griswold, CT. This is one of three friaries in the U.S. of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFI) was established by Pope John Paul II in 1990. The Friars are totally dedicated to the Immaculate Virgin. In their form of life they follow the example given by St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe. The Friars work in the traditional Franciscan apostolate of preaching, administering the sacraments, and providing spiritual assistance to lay groups. In addition they conduct a comprehensive mass media apostolate.
            The Friary is hosting PEA for the Norwich deanery of the Diocese of Norwich. It is the result of a coordinated effort of FFI, APEA, the parishes in the deanery, and lay volunteers under the leadership of Eileen McCarthy. Father Peter Fehlner, FFI, Fr. Thomas Wilson, vocations director for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and Fr. Victor Warkulwiz, M.S.S. preached at five parishes on two weekends. The cooperating parishes are St. Mary’s, Jewett City; St. Mary’s, Baltic; St. Thomas More, North Stonington; St. Thomas the Apostle, Voluntown; and St. Augustine, Canterbury. Lay adorers cover the morning, afternoon, evening, and some night hours. The Friars have assumed the responsibility for covering the middle-of-the-night hours.

Several years ago, the perpetual adoration committee at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Annapolis, Maryland sponsored an essay contest for the students of the parish. Members of the committee gave talks on the Eucharist in the parish elementary and high schools and introduced the students to the perpetual adoration chapel. To participate in the contest a student was required to spend some time in adoration and write an essay entitled, “Jesus, Truly Present in the Blessed Sacrament.” Thirty-three essays were submitted. The following excerpts from the essays show that young folks can form a deep appreciation for Eucharistic adoration if given good instruction and motivation.  

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“When I went into the Blessed Sacrament, I felt a welcoming presence. Then when I was kneeling, praying, I felt like someone was beside me, praying too! It was so peaceful just praying in the chapel. I know this sounds strange, but I felt like I was glowing. When I looked at the altar it glowed too! Then I just kept praying until it was time to go. I felt sad though, so that’s why I’m going to visit the church and chapel more often.”

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“It’s very comforting to know that Jesus is there with you in the chapel. This little chapel holds more love for us than any other place.”

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“When I sat in the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration I realized for the first time that I had a personal relationship with God of my very own. …  I felt closer to God in the hour that I spent in the Chapel.”

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“As I sit in the Chapel, I feel surrounded by comfort and joy. I feel happy, protected, safe. … But it is Jesus that makes this all possible in the Chapel. For he is the one who comforts me, brings me joy, makes me happy, protected, safe.”

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“When my mom suggested that I go to Eucharistic Adoration, I sighed and protested, but when I got there it was so peaceful and quiet and I just loved it. A couple days later, I realized that this place was a perfect way to carry out my resolution: to make Jesus a bigger part of my life. I have been going ever since and making Jesus a bigger part of my life.”

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“… going to Eucharistic Adoration has changed my life greatly. Every time I go there I find a great inner peace and when I leave my day starts off and ends so peacefully.”

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“In my mind, I always knew that Jesus was present in the Blessed Sacrament, but I do not think I have ever realized it in my heart until I visited the Perpetual Adoration Chapel. As I first walked in, I noticed how peaceful it was.”

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“I’ve been in the chapel 6 or 7 times. I say my rosary. I read from my Bible, and say prayers from my First Holy Communion prayer book. I like going to the chapel.”

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“When we’re at the Perpetual Adoration Chapel, Jesus is so happy because we have come to talk and listen to Him. He wants us to talk just as we would to our best friend. Although we don’t receive Jesus physically at the Chapel, we do receive him spiritually.”

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“I have visited the Chapel many times in the past year with my parents. It is a quiet place where I can go and be with Jesus. I can talk with Him or pray. The place is overwhelming because of the love that is surrounding you and it just fills up your soul and your heart. After visiting I feel refreshed, peaceful, and content.”

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“I occasionally go with my Mom to Adoration on Monday mornings. I enjoy it because it makes me feel relaxed. After Adoration it is interesting that I feel renewed, fresh, and very happy. I always think it is a sign that Jesus is truly there.”

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“While I was in there, I sat for a minute. I looked at the Eucharist, I looked at the people in front of me, I looked out the window and saw the beautiful flowers. {My mom works in that garden} Then, I realized, that all these people in here with me are here for the same reason that I’m here: to pray to the Lord. Either if it’s for someone who is sick and needs His help or a special intention for someone you want to get to Heaven or, someone who needs help.”

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