A Woman's Guide to Eucharistic Adoration

Barb Szyszkiewicz reviews Draw Close to Jesus, a new book about Adoration by Catholic Mom contributor Merridith Frediani.

Draw Close to Jesus: A Woman's Guide to Eucharistic Adoration is much more than a guidebook about a particular type of devotion. This new book by Merridith Frediani, published by Our Sunday Visitor, begins with an explanation about Adoration that is definitely not for beginners only. Not every parish or Adoration Chapel offers advice or instruction on customary prayer practices associated with this devotion, so you'll find that this book fills in those gaps in a helpful way.

Merridith explains in the Introduction to this book why it's addressed specifically to women:

In adoration we approach God as women and pause in these tasks to acknowledge that God calls us in the deep core of our hearts. He wants us to come to him and rest. We do not need to bring anything. He knows the world is pulling at us and can be overwhelming. He knows we make mistakes, and he keeps inviting. When we come to him, we open ourselves to the one who loves us most deeply. (12)

I like to bring a journal to Adoration with me, and the short reflections in the middle of this book are perfect jumping-off places for spiritual journaling. Each reflection is brief (about two pages in length) and most are based on Scripture. At the end of the reflection, there is a "to do" item -- not one that's going to stress you out by adding more to an already overflowing list, but a spiritual action -- and an invitation "to go deeper," which notes a Scripture passage and offers a prayer prompt for contemplation and journaling. You don't have to go through these start to finish; the book is made for readers to pick and choose the theme for their prayer.

At the end of Draw Close to Jesus, you'll find what Merridith calls "a Catholic toolbox to rescue you when prayer just won't seem to come" (128). There are instructions on praying the Rosary (which I find to be a good way to ease into Adoration, as the repetition of the prayers helps clear my mind of the to-do lists that distract me); the Memorare, the Litany of Trust and Litany of Humility, novenas, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Of course, any of these prayers can be prayed at any time (not just during Adoration) but it's handy to have them right there if you'd like to make them part of your prayer routine.

After keeping a weekly holy hour for more than five years, I can say that no two adorers approach this devotion the same way. In fact, I don't approach all my holy hours the same way. But there's useful material in Draw Close to Jesus, whether you begin your Adoration time with a Rosary or end it by reading the Bible. This book has earned its place beside my journal, pen, and holy cards in my Adoration tote bag.

Copyright 2021 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images: Copyright 2015 George Martell/Holy Cross Family Ministries, all rights reserved; copyright 2021 Barb Szyszkiewicz, all rights reserved.
This article contains Amazon affiliate links; your purchases through these links benefit the author.