OCIA Session 17: Prayer II – Adoration, Devotions, and Daily Spiritual Life

Welcome again, friends! Last time we introduced prayer and looked at the basic forms: adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication. We also talked about classic Catholic prayers like the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Rosary. Today, we’re going deeper into Catholic prayer life. We’ll focus on Eucharistic Adoration, devotions, and how to build a daily rhythm of prayer that keeps faith alive outside the walls of the church. Think of today’s session as moving from “prayer theory” into “prayer practice.”

Eucharistic Adoration

Let’s start with Adoration. At Mass, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. Outside of Mass, the consecrated host is sometimes placed in a special vessel called a monstrance, and people come to sit in silence before Jesus in the Eucharist. This is Eucharistic Adoration. Why do it? Because sometimes words aren’t enough. Adoration is about presence. Just being with Jesus, letting Him love you. St. John Vianney told a story: A farmer would sit for hours before the tabernacle. When asked what he said, he replied: “I look at Him, and He looks at me.” That’s prayer.

Humor Break

Of course, sitting quietly for an hour can feel intimidating. Some people think, What if I get bored? What if I fall asleep? Relax - even if you nod off, you’re still like a child falling asleep in their Father’s arms.

Devotions

Catholicism is full of devotional practices that help us pray:

The Rosary: Meditating on the life of Christ through Mary.
Novenas: Nine days of focused prayer for a special intention.
The Divine Mercy Chaplet: A prayer centered on God’s mercy, given through St. Faustina.
Stations of the Cross: Walking with Christ’s passion, especially during Lent.
Scapulars, medals, and holy cards: Physical reminders that we belong to God.

These are not “extras.” They’re ways Catholics throughout the centuries have kept prayer alive in daily life.

Interactive Reflection

Take a moment. Which devotional practice have you seen or heard of before? Which one intrigues you? Write it down. This may be an area God is inviting you to explore.

Daily Spiritual Life

The goal is not just to pray sometimes, but to make prayer part of your daily rhythm. Some practical tips:

Morning Offering: Begin each day by giving your day to God.
Scripture Reading: Even five minutes a day makes a difference.
The Angelus: A traditional prayer at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. recalling the Incarnation.
Night Prayer: A brief examination of conscience before bed.

The point is consistency, not length. God prefers five minutes of daily faithfulness over one hour once a month.

Humor Break #2

Some people worry: What if I get distracted? Trust me, God already knows your mind wanders. He’s just happy you showed up. If your prayer life is 90% distraction and 10% love, God treasures the 10%.

Parish Connection

Your parish probably offers devotions: group Rosaries, novenas, holy hours, Stations of the Cross in Lent. Joining these helps you learn from others and stay committed. Remember, prayer is never just private - it’s also communal. Devotions keep parish life vibrant.

Interactive Activity

Pair up (or reflect quietly). Share: what’s one simple prayer practice you could realistically add to your daily routine this week? Not a huge change - just a small, consistent step.

Building a Habit

Think of prayer like exercise. If you try to run a marathon tomorrow, you’ll collapse. But if you start with small daily steps, you’ll build endurance. The same goes for your spiritual life.

Start small.
Be consistent.
Grow gradually.

Action Step

This week:

Spend at least 15 minutes in Eucharistic Adoration. If your parish doesn’t offer it, sit quietly before the tabernacle.
Choose one devotion - Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, or Stations of the Cross - and try it once this week.
Add one short daily prayer (Morning Offering, Angelus, or Night Prayer).

Closing

Prayer is the oxygen of the soul. Adoration teaches us to rest in God’s presence. Devotions connect us to the richness of Catholic tradition. Daily habits root our faith in everyday life. Next time, we’ll do a walkthrough of the Mass itself - step by step, to understand what’s really happening and how to participate fully. Until then, remember: prayer is not about checking boxes. It’s about staying connected to the God who loves you.

next class:
OCIA Session 18: The Mass Walkthrough – Liturgy Explained Step by Step