The Summit experience

Joyful and excited groups and individual Catholics of all ages, but especially youth and young adults, filled The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on the evening of Sept. 21.

Since the beginning of the Eucharistic Revival initiative in 2022, the archdiocese has extended an invitation to all Catholics to participate in Summit adoration nights from 7 to 9 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month. 

Father Alexander Kroll, who led the September adoration, welcomed the attendees with a prayer.

“The Lord has desired to spend this evening extra with you. Offer your heart generously to the Lord … The Lord taught us, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Mt. 11:28). Find his true peace in his presence today, find rest in him,” Kroll said. 

The voices of the participants singing the entrance song echoed loudly in the cathedral, “Let it rain, let it rain, Open the flood gates of heaven; Let it rain, let it rain, we want to be filled with your presence.”

A prayerful spirit of meditation filled the church lit by candle lights, with songs accompanying the prayers and fostering contemplation and adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The presence of the Holy Spirit embraced the believers gathered in the cathedral, making this holy space seem to resemble the Pentecost, with the faithful approaching the confessionals for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, exalted singing to the Lord, silent prayers in the depth of hearts recharging people’s spiritual strength and tears of joy, happiness, thanksgiving and love for Christ silently falling from the eyes of many attendees. 

Father Zak Boazman, the coordinator of the Eucharistic Revival for the archdiocese explained that Summit is meant to provide a space for a deeper encounter and the mountaintop experience with the Eucharistic Christ. It gives an opportunity to meet him very closely as individual disciples but at the same time as a large community of believers, remembering what the Lord taught us, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them,” (Mt. 18:20).

He further shared how Summit adoration was initiated.

“It was a group effort, but we are particularly thankful to Jayce Palmer, the director for youth, young adults and campus ministry at the archdiocese, who conceptualized the idea together with young adult leaders as well as to Father Rick Stansberry, the pastor and rector of The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help who has always been very hospitable, made himself available and supported this endeavor from the very beginning.”

Father Boazman who coordinates the liturgical side, invites five priests to each adoration night to pray together, serve in the confessionals and be available to the faithful for personal advice and pastoral encounter after the event during the receptions, generously sponsored by Janis and Matt Mollman. 

“We have received very positive feedback from the faithful about the event. They find it spiritually fruitful, rejuvenating their faith, and an uplifting experience of prayer and community gathering, but also an opportunity to meet new people and friends from other ministries and parishes,” said Father Boazman.

Braeden and Brice Jones, brothers from Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Moore have been attending Summit from the very beginning when it started in June 2022. They volunteer their time to help prepare the event and act as altar servers during adoration. 

“What I appreciate most is to see so many young people actively wanting to meet Jesus in the special way that Summit offers,” Braeden said. Brice added excitedly, “Summit is a beautiful and profound experience. Everyone is alive. Everyone seems to have this beautiful joy.” 

Braeden continued, “The highlight of the evening is the eucharistic procession when the priest carries the monstrance to the people around the church, stopping at each person and blessing them individually … Knowing that Jesus is right before you, looking at you as you look at him so closely, gives me the incentive to come and encounter him again and again at this event.”

Brice described his personal experience, “To me, adoration is like water for the seed (your soul) to grow and bloom into an intimate relationship the Lord calls you to have with him. It gives me peace and abundant joy. Summit offers the opportunity to encounter the Lord in a unique way but also to experience his forgiveness, to learn to love him and to love others as he loves them and as he loves you.”

Encouraging others to participate, Braeden stated “Summit will nourish your soul in a way nothing else can.”

Alejandra Saldana, also from Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Moore, attended Summit with her mom and grandmother. 

“I love adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in parishes, but Summit is incredible. I always feel Jesus’ presence here and the heat of his love through the Holy Spirit … Summit is so powerful and overwhelming I don’t even know how to put it in words,” she said. 

Saldana also expressed her thoughts about the importance of adoration for Catholics.

She said, “Adoration will deepen your relationship with Jesus, and the closer you get connected with him, the more you will thirst for him and to receive him more frequently with the Holy Communion at Mass. In order to grow in love with Jesus you need both the Holy Eucharist and the adoration.”

More information about Summit adoration can be found at archokc.org/summit.

Jad Ziolkowska is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.

Photo Jad Ziolkowska/Sooner Catholic.