The Watchful Hour:
A Scriptural Companion to Eucharistic Adoration
Father Florian Racine
Catholic Truth SocietyISBN 9781784691929
eISBN 9781784694524
ASIN B075P2DMFD
CTS Booklet D823
Over the last several years, I have read over 200 volumes from the Catholic Truth Society, the CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. This is the second volume I have read by Father Racine and I believe he only has one other published from the CTS. The description of the booklet is:
““God cannot give us a greater gift than that of the Eucharist.”
This Companion presents what the Eucharist is, what is fulfilled in the Holy Mass, what Communion and adoration are, and why and how to enter into adoration ‘‘in spirit and truth’’.
Through Scripture, Church teaching and the works of the saints we discover that in adoring the Son, we are driven towards the Father to receive the Holy Spirit and, therefore, we become true disciples.
Split into twenty stages, adorers can reflect on one stage at a time during or after the weekly hour of adoration.
This Companion acts as a school of adoration offered to every believer.”
There is a companion volume, The Prayerful Hour: A Scriptural Companion to Eucharistic Adoration, it is a reprint of an Ignatius Press book called, Could You Not Watch with Me One Hour? that original edition was published in 2014. This booklet comes from the same source book. The CTS published the eBook and booklet in 2017. The chapters in the book are:
Introduction to the Itinerary
GOD COMES TO MEET ME
The Burning Bush: Moses Adores God and Receives a Mission
The Tent of Meeting and the Pillar of Fire: Speaking with Jesus as a Friend
“God Alone Shall You Worship” “Choose Life”
God Frees Me from Idols
Elijah Meets God on Mount Horeb Prayer – Adoration
The Calling of Samuel
The Incarnation and the Birth of Jesus at Bethlehem
I RESPOND, BY FAITH, TO HIS LOVE
Everlasting Love and the Parable of the Hidden Treasure
“Come to Me” The Eucharist Is the Invention of Love
The Anointing at Bethany The Great Service of Adoration
Martha and Mary The Great Commandment of Love
The Haemorrhaging Woman and the Act of Faith Prolonging and Intensifying Mass
Modes of Christ’s Presence Extensions of the Incarnation
The Shock of the Bodily Presence of the Resurrected One
THE SIGNS OF THE COVENANT
Covenants in the Bible
The Memorial
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
The Paschal Lamb Behold the Lamb of God
Divine Mercy
Parable of the Marriage Feast Baptism and Confession
Marriage in the Bible
The Eucharist Makes the Church Incorporation into the Church Pharaoh’s Dream Interpreted by Joseph
The Suffering Servant and Kenosis
“I Am the Living Bread”
“I Am the Living Bread” (continued)
Isaac’s Blessing and Transubstantiation
The Tree of Life Recovered
Endnotes
I have enjoyed reading both of these booklets. I know I will use them again and again. I highlighted a few passages my first time through this book. There are some bullet points in the Itinerary that really hit me:
• What are the three dimensions of the Eucharistic mystery?
• What is the meaning of the two terms “mystery” and “treasure” that John Paul II uses for the Eucharist?
• “The Eucharist builds the Church and the Church makes the Eucharist.” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, n. 26) What are the names given to the Church?
• “The treasure of the Eucharist…impels us towards [its] full sharing.” Just what is this?
A wonderful prayer from this volume is:
Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within thy wounds, hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me to come to thee,
That with thy Saints I may praise thee,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Both of these are wonderful reads and excellent resources. During the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 I have found it very hard not to spend time in front of the sacrament. Either exposed or in the tabernacle. I have taken to parking outside the church and praying near the presence. Or a live video feed of adoration. This booklet will be used for both and hopefully soon in person.
Another excellent resource from the Catholic Truth Society, I highly recommend it. I highly recommend both volumes.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.
For reviews of other books in the CTS Devotion and Prayers series click here.
Books by Father Florian Racine:
Could You Not Watch with Me One Hour?
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