Eucharistic devotion

What it is

Eucharistic devotion is the Church's love for Christ present in the Blessed SacramentGlossaryOne of seven efficacious signs of grace instituted by Christ: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing, Orders, Matrimony. outside (and flowing from) the MassGlossaryThe Church's central act of worship—the Sacrifice of Calvary made present, and the sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood. itself: expositionGlossaryPrayer before the Blessed Sacrament—reserved in the tabernacle or exposed in a monstrance—adoring Christ truly present. and adoration, BenedictionGlossaryA rite of Eucharistic devotion: the Host exposed, hymns sung, and the priest blessing the people with the Blessed Sacrament., Corpus Christi processions, visits to the tabernacle, and hymns such as Adoro Te, Pange Lingua, and O Salutaris. LatriaGlossaryClassical terms: latria is worship of God alone; dulia is veneration of saints; hyperdulia is the unique veneration due to Mary.—the worship due to God—is owed to the Host, because the Host is Christ.

What it is not

Eucharistic devotion is not a substitute for attending Mass. It is not aesthetic Catholicism with a monstrance as prop. It is not "energy" or vague sacredness—it is worship of the same Lord who died and rose, present sacramentally.

How a Catholic encounters it

Make a visit. Kneel at exposition when offered. Learn the Benediction hymns. Receive Communion worthily at Mass, then let adoration teach you what you received. Genuflect as if He is there—because He is.