If you are anything like me, it is not uncommon that upon finding yourself in Eucharistic Adoration you spend a few minutes speaking to Jesus from the heart, say a Rosary, and then silence, look around for a book, look at the statues, check for new holy cards, and then check your watch. Only 20 minutes? Wait, wasn't this meant to be a holy hour?

Enter this helpful little book, The Ave Guide to Eucharistic Adoration. In this extremely helpful guide, you will find a beautiful introduction to the history of Eucharistic Adoration as well as practical yet flexible plan for how to structure one's time in Adoration. The remainder of the book is divided into four sections namely: Adoration and Penance, Adoration and Word, Adoration and Sacrifice, and Adoration and Service. Each of these sections offers an amazing plethora of texts and reflections from the Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Church documents, great Saints in the Church, and so much more!

The real genius of this book is that each, let's call them "reflection", contains an introduction to the text proposed for mediation, the text itself (no hunting around to find the right verse for you), and follow-up questions (which could be used as journal questions or simply a conversation piece with God.) The reflections themselves are relatively short only 1-3 pages so a person can very effectively decide how much time they would like to spend in Adoration that visit. Additionally, there are hundreds of individual reflections so it would take years to enjoy them all properly!

This well thought-out and full guide will give you no end to content to take with you to Eucharistic Adoration and I believe that it will inspire much fruitful prayer and contemplation for years to come! When you take this little book to Eucharistic Adoration, I think the time will fly by and never again will you ask yourself, how am I going to fill a holy hour?

For those looking for help during Eucharistic Adoration, this can be an excellent source for meditation and reflection. After an extensive introduction, the reflections are divided into four parts. Three of these parts are for the three main parts of the Mass, while the fourth is about service.

Each section has a variety of reflections from the Mass itself, the Bible, the saints, and papal and Vatican II documents. The reflections begin with a short introduction, giving background on the reading. The actual reading follows.. The reflection ends with three personal questions for Jesus.

While the majority of the readings are solid, orthodox, and perennial, some, such as the reading from Laudato Si, speak too much to concerns of the moment.

Finally, I found the organization of the book a bit strange. The sections about the Mass were confusing and useless for those who go to any Mass except the Novus Ordo. This limits the usefulness of parts of the book.

I experienced true Eucharistic Adoration for the first time just one year ago. It is something that, as a lifelong Catholic, I had never done. I was on a retreat and they helped us along. But, I had no idea how to do it on my own. Do I pray? Do I read? Do I go to an adoration that has music? This book is so helpful! There are so many options for prayers and readings for penance, scripture, sacrifice, and service. I love that each hour of adoration is broken down into 15-minute increments in case you don't get to stay for the entire hour. What a blessing to have this adoration companion.

The Ave Guide to Eucharistic Adoration is a must-have resource for anyone who regularly makes a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. It is also entirely appropriate for those who have never made a Holy Hour, but are curious about the practice.

The team at Ave Maria Press has done an exceptional job of creating a guidebook for a practice that can be somewhat mystifying. While many people long to grow closer to Jesus, they may be at a loss as to how to spend their time in an adoration chapel. This guide provides an essential roadmap, explaining how eucharistic adoration is an extension of something church-going Catholics are familiar with--the Holy Mass.

I found the reflections in this book to be conducive to meditative prayer. The reflections also lead to personal conversations with Jesus, which can bear much spiritual fruit.

This quotation from St. Catherine of Siena helps to explain the love that can be ignited through regular adoration:

"In your nature, eternal Godhead, I shall come to know my nature. And what is my nature, boundless love? It is fire, because you are nothing but a fire of love."

The Ave Guide to Eucharistic Adoration should be on every Catholic's bookshelf. It is a gift to the Church, and it should be savored.

The Ave Guide to Eucharistic Adoration
by Ave Maria Press is a great resource for anything and everything that can help bring us closer to Him.

This book is great for fresh and well-seasoned Catholics alike. It is broken into four parts: Penance, Scripture, Sacrifice, Service and within each of those parts we prayers, devotions, writings and sacred readings, Saints, teachings, and doctrines that can help solidify and help enhance those elements within our faith and lives.

I personally enjoyed the inclusion of some of the Saints, their words and examples, to help bring out understanding, appreciation, and inspiration in regards to Adoration. I also liked the brief historical highlights at the beginning as well.

Such a great resource.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Ave Maria Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/10/23.