Print Issue: June 6, 2002

Adoration Chapel Draws The Faithful

COLLEGE PARK - Tucked in an intimate space in the Georgia International Convention Center was a special room devoted to perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

For many people, adoration has become an important component of their spiritual life. Jeannie Dennis, who helps make sure there are guardians of the Blessed Sacrament at the Cathedral of Christ the King, also oversaw the guardianship of the Blessed Sacrament during the Eucharistic Congress. A small room was converted to a chapel and the monstrance was placed on an altar.

Adoration began after Mass Friday night, and continued throughout the night and day. During that time, Dennis saw a continual influx of people during the 24-hour period that "Jesus was in the building."

"Friday night you couldn't turn people away. It was their priority," Dennis said. "People were anxious and eager to be before the Blessed Sacrament during the night. When Dennis arrived for her time slot at 5 a.m. Saturday morning, she found the room filled with 25 people in silent prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

"The Eucharist gives us the strength for the day's journey," she said. "It was the force of stability during the day. The room was never empty."