Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for Children

Adoration is an immense part of Lorraine Hess’s prayer life. How do we share this treasure with our children?

I remember when I started making weekly Adoration a regular part of my prayer life. I was a young mother of four, and I didn’t know if I could keep the commitment; but I felt called to do it, so I convinced myself that God would clear the path for me, and God did. The graces from the silence were immeasurable. The clarity of prayer, undeniable. My only regret was that I had not committed sooner.

I wanted my children to experience the same blessings that come from spending time with Jesus in such an intimate way. I wanted them to know there’s a place to get away from this world that spews noise and information at them 24/7. School activities, social events, sports, music lessons, and homework fill their time when they are children. As they become adults, they are so accustomed to busyness, it’s only natural for the practice to continue as they work overtime to get ahead, squeeze in workouts, join professional organizations for networking, and hopefully enjoy social time with friends. Does their busy lifestyle teach children that Jesus gets what’s left over, or are they embracing the lesson that time with Jesus makes it possible to juggle the complexities of life?

I don’t expect children to be able to commit to a weekly Adoration hour. That’s unrealistic. I do think we can expose them to small amounts of time in the Jesus’s presence, so they develop a desire for it, maybe even a hunger for it, assuming those experiences are positive and age-appropriate.

Brief and Fun Ways to Introduce Children to Eucharistic Adoration

A few months ago, I was at the Adoration Chapel, and an entire sixth-grade class entered with their teacher, a Dominican religious sister. They had been taught to genuflect, maintain silence, and use their time to pray. They only stayed about ten minutes, and Sister kept watch behind the students gently addressing any fidgeting ones, sweetly redirecting them to pray.

As I observed the students, I wished I had done the same with my own children. Just ten minutes here and there maybe after Mass, possibly on a day off from school. These sixth-graders enjoyed some peace, possibly between an interactive science class and a noisy lunch in the cafeteria. A pause in the chaos.

Our parish offers children’s Adoration a couple times a year, usually during the summer or Christmas holidays. Our priests are very patient with squirming little ones. After the Adoration time, the children are led to the playground to play with their friends. Adding an element of fun to the practice keeps it balanced and positive.

As parents, can we work in a little Adoration time here and there followed by pancakes at their favorite breakfast spot? The ride in the car between chapel and diner is a great opportunity for dialogue. “What did you think of your time with Jesus?”

I’ve seen people take their infants to the chapel after Mass. Just a couple of minutes is all it takes to start making silent prayer an example and a routine. Hopefully over time, they will remember the gift of being in Jesus’s presence and continue the practice when they are on their own.

My parish also has a family Adoration night once or twice a year with music and Confession. We understand if people can’t stay the whole time or must come late or leave early. Any time with Jesus is better than screen time!

Keep Your Expectations Reasonable: We Can’t Force Faith

The first time I took my kids to Adoration, I asked them what they thought. One of my sons, who was in middle school, told me simply that it was peaceful. No great messages from Jesus; he just liked the quiet. I considered it a great victory that he enjoyed a moment to pause.

Most people look back on their lives and remember a time when their faith was not a big priority. Maybe in high school or college, perhaps after a tragedy that made them question God. Your children might be in a phase of questioning, and suggesting Adoration would make you look like you’re from another planet!

Forcing our children to go to Adoration can backfire. The best way to convince our children of the benefits of Eucharistic Adoration is for them to witness how it changes us! Do we boast of time with Jesus, but then lose our temper with them later that day? They won’t buy in to the benefits of time in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament unless they see the fruits of it in our lives.

My children are all grown, but I still find occasions to advise them to spend time in Adoration when they have big decisions to make or are in a particular dilemma. Sometimes they go; sometimes they don’t. But they know Jesus is there.

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Copyright 2026 Lorraine Hess
Images: (bottom) copyright St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Metairie, LA, used by permission of Father Kevin Seay; all others Canva