RECENTLY, THE ORANGE Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (ODCCW) enjoyed a lively presentation by Fr. Bao Thai, the rector of Christ Cathedral, on the campus’s new 24-hour Adoration Chapel. About 50 women learned how to sign up for a one-hour time slot at the chapel and, more importantly, how to get the most out of a weekly appointment with Jesus.
BISHOP TIMOTHY FREYER BLESSES THE NEW PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL, LOCATED AT THE BASE OF THE CREAN TOWER ON CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Fr. Bao explained that the newly blessed chapel sits at the base of the Cathedral Bell Tower, an intimate space with seating for 12 people before Jesus in the monstrance. To support its around-the-clock operation and ensure Jesus is never left alone, he asked visitors to register in advance, especially at night, so security knows the chapel is occupied.
Fr. Bao encouraged everyone to experience the chapel and its powerful opportunity for one-on-one time with our Lord. For those unfamiliar with this ancient Catholic practice, he offered several ways to begin.
“Unlike the formal liturgy of the Mass, adoration allows for a more individual approach to prayer,” he explained. “Familiar devotions can help ease worshippers into that conversation. One option is to begin with the rosary, meditating on its mysteries while offering petitions to God.”
ON OCT. 14, BISHOP KEVIN VANN BLESSED THE NEW PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. THE NEARLY 350-SQUARE-FOOT CHAPEL NOW OFFERS 24/7 ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT THROUGH A NEW MINISTRY LED BY THE CATHEDRAL PARISH.
Another option Fr. Bao discussed is praying the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office. Rooted in the ancient Jewish tradition of praying the Psalms at designated times throughout the day, this daily cycle of prayer includes readings and prayers that change according to the liturgical calendar and complement the Church’s worship. Resources include the Laudate app and websites such as DivineOffice.org and Universalis.com. Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire ministry is preparing to publish a second edition of its the Liturgy of the Hours in collaboration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
A LARGE GROUP OF THE FAITHFUL GATHERED FOR THE BLESSING AND DEDICATION OF THE NEW PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL.
Fr. Bao also suggested bringing a Bible to adoration to meditate on Scripture, reflect on the daily Mass readings or explore their broader context. He encouraged worshippers to let the Word draw them into prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to lead. Those seeking guidance about a particular concern can bring it directly to Jesus, ask for clarity and invite Him into their prayer.
“Of course, personal prayer is very important,” said Fr. Bao. “In the silence something new may spring to your heart or another idea or way of looking at a situation.”
PATIENCE IS KEY
Intentional listening takes patience. Contemplative prayer requires practice, and an answer may not come immediately, even when prayer brings peace. Insight may arrive later through another person or an experience connected to the question. Fr. Bao related this quiet attentiveness to Elijah’s encounter with the Lord on Mount Horeb, where God’s presence was revealed in a light, silent sound (1 Kings 19:11–12). He also emphasized the importance of discerning what arises in prayer.
“God,” Fr. Bao reminded his listeners, “will never ask someone to do something sinful or contrary to Church teaching.”
To see how prayer deepens, look to St. Teresa of Avila’s sixteenth-century foundational book, The Interior Castle. She described the process in a series of steps that progress to total surrender to God. At first, meditative prayer is like drawing water from a well: it demands considerable effort. The next stage resembles using a waterwheel—the work becomes easier as God begins to intervene. Prayer then becomes like a flowing stream and, finally, like heavenly rain. In that final stage, the soul surrenders entirely to God and is transformed.
Fr. Bao made the discussion personal by describing how he discerned his priestly vocation through adoration. A few years after immigrating to the United States with his family in 1993, he began to sense a call to the priesthood. However, his family had limited financial resources, and entering seminary would mean one less income to support them. He brought that concern to adoration at Holy Spirit Parish in Fountain Valley. During one visit, he recalled praying with his eyes closed and seeing a Bible open before him to Matthew 19:28–29:
“…Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.”
For Fr. Bao, that passage was the sign he needed. He recalled that his parents were very happy for him, and soon afterward he entered Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon. He also became a committed advocate for Eucharistic Adoration, and he hopes the new 24-hour chapel will become a center for spiritual transformation for Orange County Catholics.
Registration forms are available at www.christcathedralcalifornia.org; at the campus guard house; through a QR code in the chapel; and in the cathedral and Pastoral Center. Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., visitors can enter through Gate 4 off Chapman Ave. and register before heading to the chapel. The campus has robust security measures, including at least two guards walking the grounds at night.