Editorial

Since September, I have had the privilege of participating in Eucharistic Adoration each week in the chapel of the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison.

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Eucharistic Adoration has been growing throughout the Diocese of Madison in our parishes and chapels. However, this Adoration has a special purpose: praying for church vocations.

Several of our diocesan seminarians began the Adoration for vocations during the summer. The Serra Club of Madison in cooperation with the diocesan Vocation Office picked up the challenge to continue Adoration.

Special time. For me personally, Adoration has become my most favorite time of the day and week. It is indeed a privilege to spend time in prayer before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

I am committed to one particular hour each week. I thought that hour might drag, but the time goes by too quickly. Besides praying for an increase in vocations and perseverance of those already serving in the church, I also pray for other people and needs in my family, the workplace, church, and world. Needless to say, I never run out of prayers!

Usually I pray a Rosary and do some spiritual reading. I also like to just sit and spend some quiet time in reflection and contemplation, allowing God to enter into my thoughts.

Universal effort. The Diocese of Madison seems to be in step with the universal church in our efforts. During 2005, a special monstrance blessed by Pope John Paul II will be traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada to stimulate prayers for vocations. This is one of six monstrances blessed by the Holy Father and sent to a different region of the world as a symbol of the connection between the Eucharist and priestly vocations.

The official kickoff is Jan. 12 during National Vocation Awareness Week. The monstrance will be used during a day of Eucharistic Adoration at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Power of prayer. Prayer can be powerful in so many ways, but especially in promoting church vocations. Although we can't prove a direct cause and effect, we know that dioceses with Eucharistic Adoration have experienced an increase in vocations. The number of seminarians in our diocese has gone up this past year due to many reasons, but I'm sure prayer played an important role.

Please take part in Eucharistic Adoration. Come to the Bishop O'Connor Center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., or participate in your parish. If you don't have Adoration in your area, contact the Office of Vocations at 608-821-3088 for information on how to start it.

Mary C. Uhler, editor