Nocturnal Adoration is a participating structured liturgy before the Blessed Sacrament. It originated in Rome in 1810 and was initiated by Monsignor Hupp at Christ the King in 1959.
The adoration consists of readings from Psalms, treatises regarding the Paschal Mystery and the Real Presence, and prayers of Adoration, Thanksgiving, Reparation, and Petition. The last segment of the liturgy remembers, by name, each deceased Nocturnal Adorer.
The structure of the liturgy is guided by a small book called The Office of the Blessed Sacrament. It is structured such that during each hour a leader and two sets of adorers read and respond as the liturgy progresses. Each member has a copy of the book.
There are eight bands of adorers that meet for one hour beginning at 10:30 PM the first Saturday of the month. The last group meets at 5:30 AM Sunday. Each band’s hour advances one hour as the year progresses.
Any parishioner of any parish is welcome to come to any of the hours and experience this profound liturgy.