St. Rita Perpetual Adoration Chapel - St. Martin de Tours Church

Our Parish is truly blessed with Perpetual Adoration, which returned to St. Martin de Tours on the feast of Christ the King, Sunday, November 21, 2021. While most hours are filled, there are a few hours in need of an Adorer. Call the office at 337-394-6021 or send an e-mail to [email protected] to inquire if there is an hour that might fit your schedule! Come, let us ADORE Him!

We know that many of our parishioners may have questions about our Perpetual Adoration Chapel. We’ve assembled a list of common questions that we’ve heard.  If you have a question or concern that isn’t addressed here, please let us know. You can message us on our Facebook page or send an email to [email protected].

General Questions about Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

What is Eucharistic Adoration? Since the Holy Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the Lord, Jesus Christ, we have a duty to adore Him in the Blessed Sacrament (His True Presence). During Eucharistic Adoration, the Holy Eucharist is displayed in a Monstrance (a vessel used by the Church to display the Consecrated Host) flanked by candles in which the Most Blessed Sacrament is exposed and adored by the faithful.

What is Perpetual Adoration? Perpetual Adoration is the devotion whereby the faithful unite in taking hours of adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament, both during the day and throughout the night, seven days a week.
Where does Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration take place? While adoration may take place in a church, perpetual adoration must take place in a chapel that is not being used for Holy Mass. St. Martin de Tours’ chapel is located in the chapel to the left of the sanctuary in the church, which is accessible from the rear of the church (24/7).

About the Facility
Where is the Adoration Chapel?
The Adoration Chapel is in the church building, on the left side of the sanctuary.
Where do I park? You may park anywhere, but the closest parking is in the Church’s parking lot near the old cemetery.
Where do I enter the Adoration Chapel? As a committed Adorer, please use the exterior door on the rear side of the Adoration Chapel behind the church using the code, which is guarded by a gate also accessible with the code.
How do I get in? As a committed Adorer, you can enter through the rear door with a code on the door keypad, to gain entry. When you commit to a Holy Hour or to sub, you will be given the door code for the door keypad that allows access through the exterior door as well as the gate at the entrance.
How do I get the door code? When you commit for a Holy Hour or to sub you will be given the code.
Can I share the door code? No. Please do not share the door code. Everyone who needs the door code will receive it in advance.
What if I need to use the restroom? If there is no one else in the Adoration Chapel, please veil the Monstrance and unveil it upon returning. The veil is a rectangular piece of cloth which is left on the altar. Simply drape the monstrance from front to back, covering the monstrance entirely. Please use the restroom behind the church on the side of Bienvenu hall.
How early should I arrive for my scheduled hour? Please arrive at least 5 minutes in advance.

What to do at Adoration?
What do I do once I'm in the Adoration Chapel? If this is your scheduled time, sign in on the table at the rear entrance of the chapel.
What if I just want to show up and/or I am not signed up? You are most welcome. The office will be ablet to assist you in entering the chapel. Please consider signing up as a sub or on the regular schedule. Scheduled Adorers will be given the code to the door in advance.
Why is Perpetual Adoration so important? Perpetual Adoration is YOUR personal time with Our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is a time for rest:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
It is a time for us to learn what God wants for us in our lives:
“I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8)
It is a time for finding strength by letting God be Lord and King of our hearts and lives:
“Unless the LORD build the house, they labor in vain who build.” (Psalm 127:1)
Adoration also connects our Parish into a community of perpetual prayer. It unites us through our petitions, our concerns, and our prayers of thanksgiving. It helps us remain as one family, through our time of prayer and devotion. Many miracles and blessings have been associated with perpetual adoration.
What blessings / miracles are associated with Perpetual Adoration? Many parishes with perpetual adoration have noted: increased vocations to the Priesthood, increased generosity in thanksgiving, healing of troubled marriages, and curing of diseases (including some that were considered incurable). Also noted is an increase in Mass attendance, use of the Sacraments, a return of those fallen away, spiritual growth and inner peace.
What is the difference between spending time with Christ in the Tabernacle versus Christ exposed in the chapel? Exposition allows for a more personal experience with Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Being able to see Jesus exposed before us, instead of hidden in the tabernacle, helps us to better contemplate the Mystery of His Incarnation. Our Lord Jesus waits for us, as a prisoner of love, in our chapel. He waits, in His most vulnerable state, and gives us a chance to see with our eyes, what generations have only dreamed of…God before us! 
This is the privilege of discipleship:
Turning to the disciples in private He said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” (Luke 10: 23-24)
What is the time requirement of adoration? Adorers make a commitment to the Lord to be with Him for a one hour time frame on the same day each week. Adorers may take as many of these one hour shifts as they like, but need to commit to that same hour every week.
What happens if our schedules change or we go on vacation? While you should make every effort to spend your hour with the Lord each week and try to be reliable to others in your hour, we know your schedule will change. There is a Captain each day to make sure each hour is covered. The Captain will be able to help you switch your times or find a replacement. Please let them know about scheduled absences at least a week in advance. If you are sick, please just let the Captain know as soon as possible to schedule a substitute.
Why is it so important that someone is always present? The exposition of Our Lord Jesus in the monstrance leaves Christ vulnerable and must be properly attended at ALL times. Since He is exposed out of love for us, it is our duty to make sure He is protected. For that reason, at least one person must be in the chapel while He is exposed. If an emergency arises, call or text the Captain and arrangements will be made to relieve you with another Adorer.
What if the person signed up following my shift does not show up? Wait if you can. If not, and if there is no one else there, please veil the Monstrance. The veil is a rectangular piece of cloth located on the altar. Simply drape the Monstrance from front to back, covering the Monstrance entirely. It is very important that you contact  the Captain to let them know that no one has showed up before you leave.
Do people no-call or no-show often? No. Other perpetual adoration chapels in the area have fewer levels of protection against this than we do, and they report that it is HIGHLY uncommon to experience this. People who take the time to adore for one hour a week love Jesus, and do this out of love for Him. Substitutes for other parishes reported being called once a year to fill in so it is not something to worry about.
What safety measures are in place? Will everyone have access to the Church? There is a gate that guards the entrace to the Adoration chapel fitted with a PIN Code pad. The door at the back side of the Church is also fitted with a PIN code pad. This will keep vagrants and panhandlers out, creating a safe environment, especially at night. Also, because three adorers are generally present at all times, there should be no situation where anyone is alone without help.
What is the proper attire for adoration? Whatever is comfortable, but be conscious of the presence of the Lord.
What do I do in adoration? You have a lot of choices here. You may pray an informal prayer, sit in silence, meditate on the Holy Scriptures, read a book (a chapel library will be available soon), pray the Holy Rosary, meditate on the Holy Eucharist, contemplate the Saints’ lives, just clear your head, listen to a recording of your favorite Catholic speaker quietly through your headphones, etc. The key is general reverence with an emphasis on quiet. This is not a competition to see who can be the most pious, but this is YOUR personal time with God. As Father John Ricardo says, “Just waste some time with Him.” If God was not behind the veil of the Eucharist, what would you do? Christ says we are no longer servants but friends, so just spend some time with your friend. He loves you and is calling you.
How do I genuflect during exposition of the Blessed Sacrament?  The traditional practice is to bow on two knees when before Jesus exposed in the monstrance. The attitude with what you do it with is more important than the form, and it should never be done for show. Additionally, if your knees are bad, you should not worry about this at all.
Can I bring my kids? Yes, absolutely. Adoration is for kids and whole families too. Just make sure that they are old enough to understand how to be quiet. Kids under the legal age cannot be assigned an hour on their own, but they are more than welcome to adore with their family.

What to do in an Emergency?
What do I do in an emergency? Emergency procedures are on the table near the door. Please bring your cell phone and be aware of your surroundings. If you need to leave and there is no one else there, please veil the Most Blessed Sacrament. The veil is a rectangular piece of cloth located on the altar. Simply drape the monstrance from front to back, covering the Monstrance entirely.

What if I am the only one there and I have to leave for any reason (sick, emergency, restroom, etc.)? If you need to leave and there is no one else in the Adoration Chapel, please veil the Most Blessed Sacrament. The veil is a rectangular piece of cloth located on the altar. Simply drape the cloth over the Monstrance, covering it entirely.
What if someone knocks on the outside door? This should not happen because the exterior rear door is guarded with a gate. Anyone scheduled to be an Adorer will have the code. We recommend you do not answer the door if someone should knock.

Substitutes (i.e. Subs)
How far in advance should I request a sub? Please request a sub as soon as you are aware of your schedule conflict. A minimum of 4 hours is needed, 24 hours or more is preferred.
How do I request a sub? Contact the Captain of the day to request a sub.  
How do I accept a sub time? When you signed up, you may have indicated you were open to sub requests. If so, you will receive an email or text requesting a sub for a particular time.
How do I volunteer to be a sub? Let our office know that you would like to sub.

Great Quotes about Adoration
Pope Benedict XVI
“Adoration is not a luxury but a priority…”
Pope John Paul II
“In order to evangelize the world, we need experts in celebration, adoration and contemplation of the Holy Eucharist” As a bishop and later as Pope he would even write much of his work before the Blessed Sacrament and his secretaries tell us that they would sometimes find him lying prostrate before the Tabernacle in the middle of the night. Before each of his missionary journeys he would spend prolonged periods in Eucharistic Adoration. This is why when he arrived in a country the presence of the Lord was radiating from his very person.”
Pope Paul VI
“Because Christ himself is present in the sacrament of the altar, he is to be honored with the worship of adoration.
“To visit the Blessed Sacrament is . . . a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a duty of adoration toward Christ our Lord”
Pope Pius XII
“This practice of adoration, in fact, is based on strong and solid reasons. For the Eucharist is at once a sacrifice and a sacrament; but it differs from the other sacraments in this: that it not only produces grace, but contains in a permanent manner the Author of grace Himself. When, therefore, the Church bids us adore Christ hidden behind the Eucharistic veils and pray to Him for spiritual and temporal favors, of which we ever stand in need, she manifests living faith in her divine Spouse who is present beneath these veils, she professes her gratitude to Him and she enjoys the intimacy of His friendship.”
Pope Benedict XV
“You must propagate veneration of the Most Blessed Sacrament with all your might, for the devotion to the Holy Eucharist is the queen of all devotions.”
Pope Pius X
“Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament is the devotion which surpasses all others!”
Saint Augustine
“It is our duty to adore the Blessed Sacrament. No one receives the Blessed Sacrament unless he adores it…and not only do we not sin by adoring, we do sin by not adoring!”
Saint Teresa of Calcutta
“I make a Holy Hour each day in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. All my sisters of the Missionaries of Charity make a daily Holy Hour as well, because we find that through our daily Holy Hour our love for Jesus becomes more intimate, our love for each other more understanding, and our love for the poor more compassionate. Our Holy Hour is our daily family prayer where we get together and pray the Rosary before the exposed Blessed Sacrament the first half hour, and the second half hour we pray in silence. Our adoration has doubled the number of our vocations. In 1963, we were making a weekly Holy Hour together, but it was not until 1973, when we began our daily Holy Hour, that our community started to grow and blossom.”
That is why I encourage you to make your Holy Hour through Mary, the cause of our joy, and you may discover that no where on earth are you more welcomed, no where on earth are you more loved, than by Jesus, living and truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time that you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make you soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in Heaven, and will help bring about an everlasting peace on earth.
When you look at the crucifix you understand how much Jesus loved you. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you NOW. I beg the Blessed Mother to touch the hearts of all Parish priests that they may have Eucharistic Adoration in their parishes, and that it may spread throughout the entire world!”
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
“The only time our Lord asked the apostles for anything was the night he went into agony. Not for activity did he plead, but for companionship.”
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
“My greatest happiness is to be before the Blessed Sacrament, where my heart is, as it were, in Its centre.”
St. Katharine Drexel
“My sweetest Joy is to be in the presence of Jesus in the holy Sacrament. I beg that when obliged to withdraw in body, I may leave my heart before the holy Sacrament. How I would miss Our Lord if He were to be away from me by His presence in the Blessed Sacrament!”
St. Therese of Lisieux
“O Jesus! on this day, you have fulfilled all my desires. From now on, near the Eucharist, I shall be able To sacrifice myself in silence, to wait for Heaven in peace. Keeping myself open to the rays of the Divine Host, In this furnace of love, I shall be consumed, And like a seraphim, Lord, I shall love You.”
St. Paul of the Cross
“Let weak and frail man come here suppliantly to adore the Sacrament of Christ, not to discuss high things, or wish to penetrate difficulties, but to bow down to secret things in humble veneration, and to abandon God’s mysteries to God, for Truth deceives no man—Almighty God can do all things. Amen.”
St. Bernadette Soubirous
“The Eucharist bathes the tormented soul in light and love.”