Review: The Art of Loving God

The Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel in town has been open just over a month, and I’m blessed to be holding two holy hours. I had originally signed up as a guardian for one hour, but added an additional hour because no adorers had committed to that time.

I thought I’d drop the hour when others signed up. Now, a month later, I regularly see three or four people during this bonus hour. Meanwhile, I’m in no hurry to drop it.

No one familiar with Adoration is surprised by this revelation, right?

Building relationship with the Lord

There’s no prescribed way to “do” Adoration. It’s a visit with Jesus, so I’m of the humble opinion that “come as you are” is the best advice to give to someone new to this practice of adoring Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

There's no prescribed way to "do" Adoration. It's a visit with Jesus. Share on X

In the fifteen or so years I’ve been going to to Adoration, I have kept silence, prayed, wept, laughed (quietly!), read, stared blankly, breathed deeply, rested, nodded off, written books, made lists, and worshiped, adored, and loved the Lord.

I’ve been focused and distracted, and everything in-between.

I have sometimes had a hard heart, and other times had my heart broken, remade, and refreshed.

God, however, has been constant.

Bring a book

These days I take a prayer journal and some spiritual reading. Sometimes I get to those items, sometimes I don’t, but it’s a good place to start if you’re new to Adoration.

I just finished reading The Art of Loving God: Simple Virtues for the Christian Life by St Francis de Sales. It’s a collection of teachings he gave to the nuns at the Visitation convent in Annecy, the teachings are timeless — perfect for meditating on one virtue a week. I often cycle back and reread this inspiring collection of wisdom from one of my go-to saints.

Do you take spiritual reading to Adoration? What do you recommend?