Written by Laura Kretzer, principal, St. Boniface Catholic School, Diocese of Springfield, IL, lkretzer@st-boniface.school
At the heart of Catholic life is the firm belief in the real presence of Jesus Christ—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—in the Eucharist. This central mystery of our Catholic faith is not merely a doctrine to be memorized but a living encounter with the resurrected Lord who dwells among His people. St. Boniface Catholic School has taken this truth and woven it into the very fabric of its school community through a remarkable initiative: the after-school Eucharistic Adoration Club. This program has become a vibrant and transformative ministry where students grow in prayer, deepen their relationship with God, and discover the beauty of Eucharistic devotion. With over 35 percent of the student population choosing to remain after school every other week to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the Adoration Club has flourished into a powerful witness of faith in action.
Every other Wednesday, the students in Adoration Club are dismissed to the care of Sue Deakos, the volunteer parent coordinator for Adoration Club. Because of the large number of participants, there are eight to ten other parents and grandparents who regularly help as well. Walking in a line from school to church after dismissal, older students holding the hands of the younger ones, the students enter church and first begin fellowship. They participate in a faith-filled activity such as hearing a story about a Eucharistic miracle or creating a craft tied to the theme of adoration. A favorite annual activity is the week of making homemade pretzels after learning about the monks who first created this snack to teach “folding prayer hands.” These engaging moments prepare their minds and hearts to better understand the significance of the sacred time that follows. By the time they gather together before the Blessed Sacrament for thirty minutes of Adoration, they are ready to be present to Jesus.
The club plays a crucial role in catechizing students about what Catholics believe regarding the Eucharist. Understanding the Real Presence is foundational to living a life rooted in the sacraments and the teachings of Christ. Too often, children may attend Mass without fully knowing what is happening at the altar. The Adoration Club bridges that gap. Through stories of Eucharistic miracles, scripture reflection, and simple but profound explanations, students begin to grasp why the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our Catholic faith. They learn that the Eucharist is not merely a symbol—it is Jesus truly present among us. The moments spent reverently kneeling and praying before Him reinforce this truth in a way that is harder to grasp through religion classes.
The presence of community also greatly enriches this catechetical experience. Students pray not alone but together. They see their classmates, parents, and helpers modeling devotion, and this communal witness strengthens their confidence and curiosity in their faith. The club instills a shared sense of identity rooted in Christ. Even the simple act of wearing their club T-shirts—boldly stating the message “Jesus, I Adore You”—becomes a public expression of their belief. These shirts serve not only as a unifying symbol but as a form of evangelization, reminding others of the importance of honoring Jesus in the Eucharist.
Families are also an essential part of the Eucharistic Adoration Club’s mission. A few parents and grandparents choose to join their children during Adoration by volunteering, transforming the experience into a family encounter with Christ. In a world where busy schedules often pull families apart, this time before the Blessed Sacrament becomes a moment of profound unity. Even parents who cannot be there in person, can witness the powerful simplicity of their children’s devotion and are reminded that holiness is accessible to all. As children turn to prayer, and parents witness this act, together families learn that reliance on Jesus is not only encouraged in church or school but is part of daily life.
