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February 23, 2023
“One cannot know the Lord without the habit of adoring, of adoring in silence” - Pope Francis, 2016
Saint Joseph Catholic Church celebrated the 20th anniversary of perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, on Feb 4. After the vigil mass, Father Joseph Irwin, the coordinators, adorers and parishioners joined in a reception to remember the main purpose of the encounter with God and celebrate the gift of the Adoration.
“We are truly blessed at Saint Joseph parish to have perpetual Adoration. For 20 years now, we have had people daily, all day, in prayer with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It has been a true blessing and great act of love to have perpetual Adoration for so many years,” Father Irwin said during the celebration.
Deacon Larry Sousa, Matt Biddick and Rita Ille, took the time to express their gratitude and blessing for all years adoring Jesus.
“Perpetual Adoration is a gift to Saint Joseph Catholic Church and the entire community of Norman,” Rita Ille, adorer and president of the women’s club, said. “Our hours of adoring are strange to some, but with our retired status, no young children at home and living only a few blocks from the chapel, we simply love the peacefulness and beauty of the night.”
Ille explained, “I want to have a personal relationship with our good and gracious God. Talking to him in silence, in a whisper or regular voice ... He is on the altar, listening to me. I treasure this time with Him.”
Her husband, Terry Ille added, “Prayer is a conversation with God. Prayer is intensified when you are kneeling before the exposed body of Jesus Christ.”
Adorers come from parishes in Norman and the surrounding areas and are a mix of multicultural communities who every day spend time with the Blessed Sacrament.
For Michelle Pico-Rodríguez, the perpetual Adoration “gives us the opportunity to unite ourselves with him, transcending our different nationalities and remembering that we are one in him to praise, adore and thank him at any time of the day and night.”
“Perpetual Adoration at Saint Joseph provides the entire Norman community with divine protection, necessary strength, unique care, infinite peace and reminds us that God walks with us every second of our lives and in every circumstance,” Pico said. “Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration gives me life, physical and spiritual hope, as well as the infinite grace of conversing face to face with my beloved father.”
Finally, Father Irwin expressed gratitude “to all who have made the commitment over the years to be present at Adoration, we are truly grateful. Thank you to our coordinators of Adoration. Thank you to the people who started Adoration 20 years ago. Thank you to all who commit to one hour of Adoration each week.”
“Every time we pray with Jesus in Adoration, we say to God, I trust in you, Jesus. I love you. May we have 20 more years of adoring Jesus at Saint Joseph parish,” Father Irwin said.
Bella Gutiérrez is the communication coordinator at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Norman.
Photos: Theresa Bragg
