Pope, synod members gather for eucharistic adoration to show devotion

Published: 2005-10-18

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With simplicity and long stretches of silence, Pope Benedict XVI and members of the Synod of Bishops gathered Oct. 17 for eucharistic adoration in St. Peter's Basilica. A monstrance containing the Eucharist was placed on the main altar, decorated only with a white cloth and six white candles. Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, presided over the service, leading the prayers and blessings. Pope Benedict knelt before the Eucharist in front of the synod participants, but did not speak. When the Oct. 2-23 synod on the Eucharist began, the early evening adoration service was not on the schedule, but after several bishops said they should show their people their devotion to the Eucharist and not just talk about it, Pope Benedict invited synod members to join him in the basilica.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .