— PRAY —

Quick Navigation Links: Submit intentions, view needed hours, or learn prayers.


Submit a Prayer Intention Online

Our parish community is continually in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in our chapel 24/7!

If you would like to share your prayer intention with the community (your intention will be printed and placed in the chapel within a week), then please fill out the form below.

 

We thank you for sharing your intention, and are looking forward to keeping you in our prayers before the Blessed Sacrament.

 

Needed Hours

All visitors are welcome, even if you just have a few minutes.

The chapel daily welcomes both visitors and scheduled adorers. Whether you want to say hello to Our Lord for a few minutes or stay for a few hours, each and every person (including members of other parishes and non-Catholics, too!) is invited to spend time at St. Ferdinand's Adoration Chapel. Jesus awaits your visit with joy and mercy, and He longs to show you the way to the Heavenly Father.

 

Did you know that all 168 hours a week have a scheduled adorer at St. Ferdinand's chapel? Well, except a few... can you help?

Consider deepening your spiritual life by accepting Christ's invitation to "spend an hour with Him" by becoming a scheduled weekly adorer. Every hour is open for additional adorers (our goal is to have at least two people scheduled every hour).

The times listed below are slots that currently have NO ONE signed up and therefore are in serious need of someone to be with Jesus during these times immediately (currently, substitutes are praying during these hours).

If you cannot commit to an hour a week, no worries- consider becoming a substitute instead. As a sub, you'll occasionally be contacted with the opportunity (but are not required) to fill in for a scheduled adorer who is unable to make it to their hour. You are also welcome to stop by any time, even for just a few minutes. You do NOT have to be scheduled or a substitute to visit. All visitors are welcome, 24/7.
 

Needed Hours (currently no adorers scheduled!)*

Monday afternoon 2 - 3 PM

Saturday early morning: 3 - 4 AM

All hours are open to a second adorer!
 

*Hours current as of March 10, 2017. The most current needed hours can always be found in the latest bulletin

 

 

If your hour BEGINS between....

MONDAY – FRIDAY (6 AM – 11 PM)

SATURDAY & SUNDAY (6 AM to 11 PM)

ANY DAY (Midnight – 5 AM)

Then call...

Ann Linkul or Stephanie Koenig

Alice Rodriguez

Janet Marxkors

 

E-mail us at Chapel@StFerdinandSTL.org and we'll put you in touch with the appropriate coordinator as soon as possible.

Contact phone numbers can also be found in the chapel.
(Phone numbers are not listed on our website for anti-spam compliance purposes) 


Prayers

Below, you'll find a list of prayers and resources that focus on Eucharistic Adoration.

Want to learn more about what Adoration is, the history of our chapel, or some fun facts? See our "Learn" page by clicking here!

 

Quick Navigation Links: Submit intentions, view needed hours, or learn prayers.


— Learn —

QUICK NAVIGATION LINKS: About Adoration, Our History, Fun FactsOther Information, and Chapel Coordinators.


Eucharistic Adoration Q&A

What Is Eucharistic Adoration?

The Eucharist is the Real Presence of Christ: the physical Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. During the Mass, the bread and wine are completely "transubstantiated" into the Real Presence, while the “accidents” of bread and wine remain.

“Only the substance is converted into another—the accidents remaining the same—just as would be the case if wood were miraculously converted into iron, the substance of the iron remaining hidden under the external appearance of the wood.” -quote from Catholic.com.

Eucharistic Adoration extends Holy Communion in a lasting way and prepares us to participate more fully in the celebration of the Eucharistic mystery. It leads us to ‘acknowledge Christ’s marvelous presence in the sacrament’ and ‘invites us to the spiritual union with Him that culminates in sacramental communion'" -quote from “Thirty-One questions on Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament” by the Bishops’ committee on the liturgy from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

While many struggle with this great mystery, both today and in Jesus’s time, it is part of the foundation of the Catholic Church, and the basis for Eucharistic Adoration.

What is Perpetual Adoration?

Perpetual Adoration (more properly defined as “Perpetual Exposition) at St. Ferdinand refers to the liturgical act whereby the Blessed Sacrament (the Real Presence in a host that was consecrated at Mass) is placed in a monstrance perpetually (24 hours a day, seven days a week) so that our community may gather together to pray before the exposed Eucharist. This is an extremely beautiful opportunity- Christ is literally present in Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Although not a physical communion like at Mass, we can participate in a spiritual communion.

Why should I go to Adoration?

“I already go to Mass every Sunday, pray privately at home, and try to be a good person. Why should I go to adoration? Isn’t Christ in each of us? God hears my prayers even at home already, right?”

Yes, Christ is in all these things, and all these things are good! The reason we go to Adoration is similar to why we go to Church: to worship as a community and to build our relationship with God and others. The Eucharist in the Mass is “truly the origin and purpose of the worship that is shown to the Eucharist outside Mass.”

Although Adoration is not a physical communion like at Mass, we are able to make a spiritual communion and “make contact with the very wellspring of grace… we are given the opportunity to thank Him for his passion, death, and glorious resurrection, the marvelous saving act that brought about our redemption. Christ draws near to us, more intimate with us than we are with ourselves. He strengthens our share in His divine life, the life that transforms us into His likeness and, in the Spirit, He gives us access to the Father.” (USCCB). It is one of the highest forms of connection we can have with God outside of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 

What do I do in Adoration?

There are many things you can do in Adoration! Here are a few examples:

  • Pray in the peaceful quiet
  • Pray the rosary (there are rosaries on the right side of the bookshelf in the entryway of the chapel)
  • Meditate on how Christ in the Eucharist is truly “Here, with me, looking at me, and loving me”
  • Read a spiritual book (also in the entryway is a bookshelf of reading material; please do NOT remove these from the chapel).
  • In short, reverence with an emphasis on quiet peacefulness with the Lord.

The History of St. Ferdinand's Chapel

The Adoration Chapel has been a wonderful addition to the spiritual life of St. Ferdinand Parish since June of 1982. The chapel is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides a sacred place for all to visit the Lord. Every week at least 168 committed parishioners, called "Adorers," spend at least their one hour commitment in adoration of Our Lord present in the Eucharist. 

The idea for a Perpetual Adoration Chapel came into being over 30 years ago when two of St. Ferdinand's parishioners went to the Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia. They heard Bishop Fulton Sheen speak about how he made a holy hour every day and how beneficial he felt it was for him. The parishioners, Ed and Blanche Rowles, were impressed by what Bishop Sheen had said. After reading an article in "Immaculate Magazine" that encouraged people to open a Eucharistic Chapel, the Rowles approached Monsignor Holland about using the empty chapel at St. Ferdinand (it was part of the convent at one time). Msgr. Holland was a bit skeptical that this would work, thinking everyone was too busy with their lives and interests, but he gave the go ahead to try. 

The first step was to determine what parishioner support could be expected to sustain such a chapel. Fr. Martin Lucia of the Missionary Society of the Blessed Sacrament was invited to speak on the concept of Perpetual Adoration on April 17th and 18th, 1982. As a result, nearly 450 parishioners signed up! Msgr. Holland's concerns were satisfied, so he requested permission from the Archdiocese to begin such a program. 

Archbishop May's approval was granted on May 18, 1982. The chapel opened and the Perpetual Adoration program started on June 18, 1982, the eve of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our chapel has been blessed with the participation of many fantastic men and women over the years, including Archbishop Rigali for the chapel's 15th year anniversary in 1997, Bishop Hermann for the 25th anniversary in 2007, and Bishop Rice for the 30th anniversary in 2012. 

The chapel has remained mostly the same through the years, however new carpeting was added in 2009 through the generous time and talent of a parishioner; furniture and the outdoor Nativity scene were donated in 2009 by Nick and Jean Ambrow. There are some new changes and upgrades going on in 2017 that will hopefully both enhance your special visit with Our Lord and help keep the chapel a sacred place for public worship. 

It takes many volunteers to keep the chapel running smoothly. Stephanie, Alice, Janet, and Ann are four of the volunteers who work very hard to organize and fill the scheduled hours. Ron takes care of the candles and holy water, Rita keeps the chapel sparkling, and Phyllis takes care of linens and seasonal decorations. 

Many people have been blessed over the years through adoring Our Lord at the perpetual adoration chapel, and their testimony can be seen both in the bulletin (every week there's a new story, see the last page of the bulletin!) and in the living witness of the faithful at St. Ferdinand parish. We are truly blessed to have Christ be both spiritually and physically the center of our parish!

How will YOU help us write the next part of this history?

Consider visiting the chapel sometime soon, even for only a brief time. To find out more, contact Chapel@StFerdinandSTL.org or see our Pray page.


Fun Facts

  • June 2017 will mark the 35th Anniversary of perpetual adoration in St. Ferdinand’s chapel!
  • There are 168 hours per week to fill. Someone must be in the chapel every hour of every day. Our goal is to have two Adorers each hour. We also need Adorers who will substitute if someone cannot be present for their regular hour.
  • The adoration chapel is only scheduled to close once a year— during the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday). It symbolizes Christ’s physical absence from earth between His death and resurrection.
  • Although known to have occurred as early as the fourth century, perpetual adoration began to develop on a worldwide scale after the Council of Trent (1545-1563) when it was formally approved by Pope Julius III on October 11, 1551.
  • The beautiful gold vessel that holds the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel is called a “Monstrance,” from the Latin word “monstrāre” which means “to show.” The logo in our website's footer is a digital replica of the monstrance found at the chapel. The "Pray" page image is a photo of the Eucharist in the monstrance at St. Ferdinand's chapel.

Other Information

  • Please be respectful and quiet in the Adoration Chapel.
     
  • Please remember to genuflect (lower your body briefly by bending one knee to the ground) upon entering Christís Real Presence in the Eucharist; if you are physically unable to, please bow or make some act of reverence.
     
  • Never eat or drink in the chapel, including chewing gum or candy.
     
  • The telephone in chapel is for emergency use only.
     
  • If an emergency of a serious nature arises, call 911
     
  • Christ in the Eucharist may NEVER be left unattended, even for a very brief time. Make sure to check the sign-in sheet before you leave to make sure the person who is scheduled for the next hour is in the chapel before you leave.
     
  • Please DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING IN THE CHAPEL, including reading materials, flowers, prayer cards, flyers, and private devotionals. Thank you!

 

 

To sign up for an adoration hour or to become a substitute, please contact the appropriate chapel coordinator for the hour(s) you are available (see the pray page).

Please see our Visit Page for directions, contact information, and more.

Contact us at Chapel@StFerdinandSTL.org


Chapel Coordinators

 
 

— Visit —

QUICK NAVIGATION LINKS: Coordinator Contact Information, Hours, Directions, Map.


Coordinator Contact Information

 
 
 

If your hour BEGINS between....

MONDAY – FRIDAY (6 AM – 11 PM)

SATURDAY & SUNDAY (6 AM to 11 PM)

ANY DAY (Midnight – 5 AM)

Then call...

Ann Linkul or Stephanie Koenig

Alice Rodriguez

Janet Marxkors

 

E-mail us at Chapel@StFerdinandSTL.org and we'll put you in touch with the appropriate coordinator as soon as possible.

Contact phone numbers can also be found in the chapel.
(Phone numbers are not listed on our website for anti-spam compliance purposes) 


Hours

Open 24 hours, seven days a week.

Exceptions include:

  • Closed for the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday). Learn why in our "Fun Facts" section of our Learn page!)
  • Severe inclement weather (notifications are sent out via St. Ferdinand's e-mail system; see "Sign up to stay in touch" at the bottom of St. Ferdinand's home page).
  • Major repairs or improvements (very rarely)

Directions

The Chapel is connected to the Duchesne Center on the side next to St. Ferdinand School. Parking is available directly next to the chapel. This image shows the chapel's exterior.

The chapel is located at St. Ferdinand Parish, 1765 Charbonier Rd. Florissant, MO 63031

If coming from Lindbergh, take Charbonier for one mile and St. Ferdinand will be on your right.
If coming from Howdershell, take Charbonier for a quarter mile and St. Ferdinand will be on your left; make sure to enter from the southernmost entrance (the first entrance you'll see coming from Howdershell is one-way out of the parish.

See the Google Map below for more specific directions.

Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament looks forward to your visit!


 
 

QUICK NAVIGATION LINKS: Coordinator Contact Information, Hours, Directions, Map.