Hajja Salesjana July-September 2019

The change happens slowly but surely, for the presence of the Lord works marvels. “We have seen people change their lives radically based on that hour of adoration,” Isabel confessed. “People with addictions, with serious family problems who find support by leaning on the Lord for that hour. Also couples in difficulty — one spouse comes or both come together. People find healing especially for ailments of the soul. You can see how they develop and evolve as they learn acceptance. There is a lot of joy among the adorers, a deep and profound joy.” Isabel says that many people who aren’t practicing also come to the Eucharistic Adoration chapel in Badalona, because there they find peace, silence and a welcoming space, and they end up developing a regular and assiduous prayer life. Some adorers confess that, although they don’t go regularly to Mass, they do come regularly to be in the Lord’s presence. “Something tells them to return each week. It’s a space of total freedom.” One example of this “butterfly effect” can be seen in Ciudad Juárez, where Eucharistic Adoration has contributed to a decrease in the number of homicides from 3,766 in 2010, to 265 in 2015, says Fr. Patricio Hileman, a priest who is dedicated to establishing adoration chapels throughout Latin America. Experience has shown Fr. Hileman that “when a parish adores God day and night the city is transformed.” 11 H AJJA S ALESJANA