Advent Hour of Eucharistic Adoration

"In the Fullness of Time"

Begin by proclaiming the Gospel of the day's Liturgy.

Song Suggestion: Savior of the Nations Come

Leader: We are in the season of Advent, during the time of the Great Advent of preparation for the Jubilee of the Year 2000. Gathered by the Holy Spirit around Christ, the Word, let us be open to the mission the Father wishes to entrust to each one of us, and to all of us together in the Church.

Reader 1: Pope John Paul tells us, "The Church cannot prepare for the Jubilee in any other way than in the Holy Spirit. What was accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit 'in the fullness of time' can only through the Spirit's power now emerge from the memory of the Church. The Church wishes to prepare for this Jubilee in the Holy Spirit, just as the Virgin of Nazareth, in whom the Word was made flesh, was prepared by the Holy Spirit" (from the Encyclical on the Holy Spirit, N. 51, 66).

Reader 2: Proclaim Luke 1:26-38.

Personal Reflection (pause generously)

Leader: Mary's adventure began with an initial "Pentecost" which took place during the mystery of the Annunciation, when the Spirit descended in a very special way. From that moment on, Mary became the creature of God in whom the Holy Spirit dwelt to the fullest extent. It was in the Spirit that Mary lived the simplest yet most significant moments of her life, all of which were linked to the life of her Son, and which culminated in that new reception of the Holy Spirit poured out from the Cross: "then Jesus delivered over his spirit." The Word of God presents Mary to us as a person who allowed her entire existence to be guided by the Spirit. She is the woman of hope, who-like Abraham-accepted God's will, "hoping against hope" that the things promised by the Lord would be fulfilled. (Pause generously for reflection.)

Leader: The archangel Gabriel, sent by God, announces the divine plan to Mary.
All: Mary accepted her mission to the full.
Leader: The Word became incarnate,
All: True God and true Man.
Leader: He is the promised Messiah.
All: Blessed be the Father, who fulfilled the promises to the prophets!
Leader: Blessed be the Spirit, who descended upon Mary!
All: Blessed be the Divine Son, salvation for all peoples!

Leader: Let us pause with gratitude for the action of the Spirit in the personal journey that brought each one of us here before the Eucharistic Master. Those who wish to may proclaim their grateful praise aloud. (It would be appropriate to sing or recite the Magnificat after all have had the opportunity to express their thanksgiving.)

Leader: Neither the joyful nor the sorrowful mysteries of our life are hidden from the Spirit of God. In the light of God's power, seen in the mystery of the Incarnation; in the light of God's goodness to each of us personally, which we have just acknowledged, let us honestly examine our responsiveness. Is the Lord free to do "great things" in us? What is the most common obstacle we put before the action of grace? (Generous pause for an examen of conscience.)

Prayer of Repentance: Song, "Healer of Our Every Ill" (Marty Haugen)

Leader: What steps can we take to open the door to Christ in one area which we habitually keep firmly closed to him? What decision does the Spirit ask us to make? (Pause.)

Leader: It is the Spirit who inspires every good word and work, and who will bring to completion what he has asked us to do.

All:

To you, Spirit of Truth, I consecrate my mind, imagination and memory. Enlighten me with the light of the Gospel. May I know Jesus Christ, my Master and Savior.

To you, Spirit of Holiness, I consecrate my freedom. Guide me in the Father's will. Support my efforts to live the commandments fully. Make me a true follower of Jesus.

To you, life-giving Spirit, I consecrate my heart. Deepen in me that share in the divine life which was bestowed on me in Baptism. May it be Christ Jesus who lives in me, now and forever.

Personal Prayer (in silence)

Prayers of Intercession: Advent is a season of hope. We turn to the Master and ask that our lives might reflect our hope in him. Let us now share petitions and prayers of intercession for the intentions of the Holy Father; the needs of the Church (universal and local, including the specific needs of fellow parishioners); the civil leaders; the profound spiritual needs of people unduly influenced by the misuse of the media; and our own friends and family. (Allow all the opportunity to present their prayers of intercession.)

Leader: We present our petitions and intercessions to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the hands of the Virgin Mary, who so fully heard the word of God and kept it. May her intercession assist us in following Christ faithfully, as she did.

Advent Litany of Mary (adapted from the writings of the Church Fathers)

Response: Blessed are you among women!
Reader 1: Hail Mary, inextinguishable lamp!
Reader 2: Hail Mary, temple and ark!
Reader 1: Hail Mary, lofty mountain!
Reader 2: Hail Mary, God-bearing virgin!
Reader 1: Hail Mary, Vaster than the heavens!
Reader 2: Hail Mary, holy and ever-virgin!
Reader 1: Hail Mary, precious vessel!
Reader 2: Hail Mary, ever-shining light!
Reader 1: Hail Mary, symbol of orthodoxy!
Reader 2: Hail Mary, harp of Christ's melodies!
Reader 1: Hail Mary, daughter of Zion!
Reader 2: Hail Mary, most holy lady!
Reader 1: Hail Mary, home of all the graces of the Spirit!
Reader 2: Hail Mary, vessel of the divinity!
Reader 1: Hail Mary, all pure!
Reader 2: Hail Mary, all immaculate!
Reader 1: Hail Mary, all worthy of praise!
Reader 2: Hail Mary, spotless robe of the one clothed in light!
Reader 1: Hail Mary, mountain where God dwelt!
Reader 2: Hail Mary, holy root of Jesse!
Reader 1: Hail Mary, City of God!
Reader 2: Hail Mary, unfading flower!
Reader 1: Hail Mary, glory of our shared nature!
Reader 2: Hail Mary, bridge of the world!
Reader 1: Hail Mary, castle of the King!
Reader 2: Hail Mary, dwelling place of the Holy Spirit!

Leader: Having received the gift of the Word of God, we have pondered it in our hearts and welcomed it into our lives. Let us now go out to more richly and deeply love and serve the Lord!

All: Thanks be to God!

Song for closing: The Coming of Our God

This outline draws from the writings of the Superior General, Sister Giovanna Carrara, fsp, and the Founder of the Pauline Family, Ven. James Alberione.

This outline for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is provided by the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation of consecrated women who serve the Church with the communications media. We ask that you remember our congregation, mission, and special intention of vocations in your prayer. When you are on-line, visit us at www.pauline.org.