Adoration by Invitation
by Mairead, ARK
At a beautiful, heart-warming Adult Faith Formation evening in our diocese last year, our Bishop spoke about evangelizing and the need for it in the times we are in. He acknowledged that the best way is “by invitation.” I spoke to him after his talk and told him I was glad he had mentioned the word invitation. I then showed him the booklet entitled, An Invitation and asked him for permission to leave them at the back of churches in our diocese. I advised that these Invitation booklets were already in churches, both in Ireland and abroad. I said that one of the beautiful things about the initiative of spreading these booklets is that one does not have to be a practicing Catholic to sit in the presence of Christ and receive the graces he wants to give. Anyone who picks up this booklet can just sit still with Jesus and be, there is no pressure and nothing to lose.
Our Bishop was happy and advised me to speak with the relevant parish priests also, as a matter of courtesy. All six priests I have spoken to so far are delighted with the initiative. These priests have also been given Volume Two and Volume Three, as well as Newsletter 59, which describes in detail and brings life to the initiative. One priest said he was familiar with Anne’s writings including Climbing the Mountain and said he was very impressed.
I purchased vertical plastic holders, which sit neatly on a table in any of the churches without display cases. I monitor stock weekly, and replenish booklets as required. I pray every day for those who will pick up a booklet. Monitoring stock and replenishing is easy work, as I pass most of the churches going to and from school runs, the shops, or work!
Many of those I have shared the Invitation booklet with have commented how beautifully written and presented it is. Some have spoken about particular points that struck a chord with them. One lady who had stopped going to Mass, said the piece about sensing a loved one’s presence touched her as she recounted a memory of an experience of her deceased mother. She loved the booklet. It was not my place to push the topic, just to be upbeat in presenting the booklet to her, the rest is in Jesus hands.
A religious sister involved in the Eucharistic ministry in a local hospital agreed I could supply the oratory with Invitation booklets. This discussion arose after I was admitted to hospital recently, proving something good often comes from a little bit of suffering! When visiting other churches in our diocese, I spoke to the priest after Mass. All have agreed that I could supply the booklets. One priest said the booklets would be beautiful for Corpus Christi. Still another priest was delighted to display the Invitation booklets in the church as well as Jesus Speaks to Children, Volume Two and Volume Three. Again, he was already familiar with the work of the Apostolate.
Bringing copies of Volume Two or the Heaven book to Mass has been worthwhile. I offer them to people I know will be receptive and have given some bundles to people on adoration rotas. Several people have come back to me later, enthralled by the books and like many of us, feel Jesus is speaking directly to them. I think a light, positive, upbeat attitude helps people to be more receptive. When offering a writing, I think of how I would like to receive the booklet. A very small number of people refuse, and that’s fine too.
“When one places oneself, docile and humble, before God, often one receives a specific understanding of the meaning of one’s own life: It is in faithful and unwavering prayer, in particular in adoration, that everything assumes harmony, that one grasps more clearly one’s aims, finding in the Lord the strength and the light to put them into practice according to his plans” (Pope Francis).
Jesus promises that just as we concern ourselves with his interests, he will concern himself with ours, and take care of our loved ones. Yes, he will not be outdone in generosity, his promises are true. He said that he is with us, united in this mission. Working together with Jesus, who has all knowledge, we cannot fail and as he tells us so often throughout the writings of the Apostolate, “All is well.” It’s a no brainer, really!
