Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Some quiet time alone with Jesus

Father Richard Gonzales closes the curtains to cover the Blessed Sacrament at chapel in St. Joseph’s church in Beeville. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

Beeville resident 78-year-old Manuel Martinez has a reverent devotion to perpetual adoration dating back to the 1950s. And despite many setbacks in his life, including losing two sons to muscular dystrophy, he has remained deeply devoted to the eucharistic presence of Jesus Christ for more than six decades.

“I just had surgery on my knee and I still come to adoration every Wednesday and Friday, after my physical therapy appointments,” he said, with a shy smile. “I say the rosary and the chaplet of divine mercy for the conversion of sinners.”

Manuel Martinez prays inside the Queen of Peace Chapel at St. Joseph Church in Beeville. Martinez has remained deeply devoted to the eucharistic presence of Jesus Christ for over six decades. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

April is dedicated to the devotion of the Eucharist and while many parishes have allocated special times for adoring the presence of Christ, only a handful devote an entire chapel for perpetual adoration. St. Joseph Parish in Beeville not only hosts 24-hour devotion of the Blessed Sacrament seven days a week, but the faithful visit from numerous parishes throughout the Beeville community and beyond.

“The combination on the door to enter the chapel is the worst kept secret in Beeville,” said Father Richard Gonzales with a laugh. “Everyone knows the password and that is a good thing. I love seeing people going in and out of the chapel all the time.”

The Queen of Peace Chapel, located inside the church itself, is an ideal place for people to pray, reflect and even gain knowledge about the Catholic faith. The chapel has an extensive selection of reading material about the Catholic Church.

“Some people just want to pray in a small, intimate space, instead of a giant church. I’ve had many people tell me they feel more comforted by praying inside the chapel,” Father Gonzales said.

And having a special time during a hectic week to “unplug” is important for a person’s spiritual health, too, he said.

“Smartphones and technology are a blessing, in many ways, but we are inundated with electronic devices beeping and chirping all around us. Many people actually look forward to some quiet time alone with Jesus. Adoration of the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ is the perfect way to grow closer to God and shut off the real world for awhile,” he said.

Father Gonzales, who has been pastor at St. Joseph for almost three years, said the chapel was built in 1992 and can be accessed from both inside and outside the church.

“It was originally a sacristy for the priests,” he said, “but Father Tim Kinast decided the space would be better suited as a chapel for perpetual adoration. I know parishioners love the fact it is located inside the church and not in a separate building.”

Finding people to ensure the Blessed Sacrament is adored every single hour of each day is no easy task, but Father Gonzales said it is not uncommon to have a steady stream of people flocking to the chapel in the wee hours of the morning.

“It’s actually perfect for shift workers, like those employed by the hospital, prison or oil field. They routinely come in at two or three in the morning after work.”

When adorers are ready to leave and there is no one there to take their place, visitors know to close the curtains to cover the Blessed Sacrament, so it does not go exposed without someone to revere the presence of Jesus.

Although Father Gonzales said there is no shortage of people willing to spend at least an hour in the adoration chapel, more people are always welcomed, anytime.

“If you are looking for a place of quiet intimacy with God, a place to open up your heart to the Lord, this is the perfect place,” he said. “Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a place to get focused and relaxed. It is a place where you can feel like the weight of the world is not on your shoulders all of the time. It’s a chance to allow God to speak directly to you and give you a much needed moment of peace.”

To schedule a time for perpetual adoration at St. Joseph Church in Beeville, call the parish office at (361) 358-3239.