Adoration Materials Q&A

Hey there!

We are right in the middle of launching the FAMILY ADORATION PACK.

I have been loving hearing from so many of you, and we have been getting lots of questions.

So, in case you have a question too, I thought it might be a good time to do a quick Adoration Materials FAQ.

1. How will these materials transform our time in Adoration?

Great question. After all, Jesus is there -what else do you need?

Honestly, you don’t need any of these materials to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Great saints have spent entire nights just gazing lovingly at Jesus in the monstrance, adoring Him better than I ever could.

But these materials have tremendously helped me and my family for one big reason: WE NO LONGER WORRY ABOUT WHAT WE WILL DO WHEN WE GET IN THERE.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Adoration is not about doing, it is about just being there, but a whole hour with the Lord of the Universe can be daunting.

And likewise, a whole hour in the silence for a kid can be daunting.

Therefore, there is something so helpful about walking through that door with a holy and beautiful plan.

My older 2 look forward to using their journal and coloring book each time we go to adoration.

I remind them that we pray silently for the first 10 minutes and only after that can they pull out their books, but they have a lot of peace knowing that they have an activity they enjoy that they can do while adoring Jesus.

I have also found that even the younger kids can be quiet and prayerful for much longer stretches of time when they have a God-focused thing to do that they enjoy.

And this gives me time to pray.

I also love to have a little guide with me.

Sometimes I just don’t have the words, and reading through the Litany of Trust, or referring to St. Thomas’s prayer, is so helpful.

I might just read through that one prayer over and over, dwelling on a single word or phrase.

But I love having something with me to help me get into prayer. It keeps me from worrying and makes me more comfortable.

2. Are these materials only for Adoration? What if we can’t make it to adoration right now?

First of all, all of the materials in the FAMILY ADORATION PACK are first and foremost about the Eucharist, not just Eucharistic Adoration.

I have a son preparing for his First Holy Communion and we have used both the board book, which he reads to the little ones, and the coloring book to help him prepare.

We do take the books into Adoration with us, but we use them equally as much at home to PREPARE for both Holy Mass and Adoration.

When I first gave the coloring book to Bernadette, my first grader, we spent time reading through the saint quotes and talking about what the quotes meant, as it would be difficult to do this while in adoration.

We also spend time discussing the quotes and the lives of the various saints that she has colored in adoration after we leave.

I also understand that maybe it’s impossible for you to actually get to Eucharistic Adoration, with or without the kids.

Maybe your parish doesn’t offer adoration, or they do but at a time that you absolutely can’t make work. Don’t worry, you have some options.

First of all, consider praying in front of the tabernacle. Jesus is there, inside!

I even have heard of moms having a particularly rough day that takes a drive and once the kids are asleep they go and park as near the tabernacle as possible, and spend time adoring Jesus in the tabernacle from their car.

Just know that there are options for adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Get creative.

Also, I encourage you to be the squeaky wheel and ask your priest to start Eucharistic Adoration.

It will transform your parish and your family.

3. What ages do you recommend for each product?

Great question. Here are some general thoughts.

BOARD BOOK: Pre-school and younger.

I designed this book to help little ones connect the Monstrance they see on the altar with the stories they have heard of Jesus Christ.

The wording is very simple and the images are friendly and colorful.

That said, my 8-year-old enjoyed reading this book to his younger siblings, and I saw him make some connections as well.

COLORING BOOK: Kindergarten and up.

The coloring book is great for younger kids, and people of all ages that like to color.

I, admittedly, have a copy squirreled away for myself, which I intend to color 💁🏼‍♀️.

CHILDREN’S JOURNAL: 7-13

Gina over at Someday Saints designed this journal for children ages 7-13. More important than age, however, is the ability and willingness to read and write, as the journal is based on prompts to read and write about.

So many beautiful little reflections in this journal!

PARENT’S GUIDE: Any parent, godparent, grandparent, or adult that loves children 😉

4. What about other people in the Adoration Chapel? Won’t I be disturbing their hour if I walk in with my kids?

This is the #1 question I have received.

Many people worry about disturbing people’s peaceful Holy Hour. Others have had terrible experiences in the past with grumpy adorers.

There is a lot I could say here, but I’ll let Jesus take this question instead:

And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.​ 

Mark 10:13-16

And if we believe that it is really Jesus there, fully present in the Blessed Sacrament, then how can we feel any hesitation in bringing our children to Him, no matter what anyone else might say or think?

Should we be respectful and kind?

YES!

But, should we let our fears of ruining someone else’s time with Jesus keep us from going to adoration? Absolutely not.

And, for the record, I have received exactly 10 emails from kind older women that want you all to know they LOVE IT when kids walk into the adoration chapel 😉

5. Do I really have to take the kids for a whole hour to adoration? 

and 

But, I LOVE my hour of private adoration. Do I have to give that up?

Is Family Adoration the ONLY way that you can go to Adoration? Nope!

Do you have to take the kids for a WHOLE HOUR? Nope!

If you already have a beautiful, private hour of adoration, don’t mess with that.

Keep going.

I just challenge you to bring your family into the Adoration fun as well. Maybe you can stop by for 10 minutes with the kids every Thursday on your way home.

Maybe you can take one kid with you each week. Whatever.

There are lots of beautiful options, and family adoration will look different for each family.

I have just found that for many people bringing the kids to adoration either hasn’t occurred to them, or they assume it is impossible.

My mission is to simply give you a nudge so that you figure out a way to help your children come and adore.

6. Would the coloring book make sense as a 1st Communion gift?

Yup! It’s all about the Eucharist, after all 😉

In fact, if you know me and you are making your First Holy Communion this year…well you can guess what I’ll be giving you.

The Adoration coloring book and this pencil case! Plus some colored pencils too.

7. I have a big family and would like to buy a FAMILY PACK, along with a few extra copies of a couple of books. Can I do that?

Yes indeed!

All books are available separately as well.

Okay, what did I miss? Let me know by hitting reply.

Thanks again for your support and love,

your sister in the small things,

Nancy