The Church of the Epiphany
1900 111th Ave NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
763.755.1020
Children's Holy Hour
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The Children's Holy Hour is held at Epiphany on three Sundays each year at 3 p.m. in the main church.
Dear Parents,
Adoring Jesus present in the Eucharist may be new or slightly familiar to some families. The following is a brief explanation of some common actions of preparation and reverence to Jesus present in the Eucharist. Take some time to talk to your children and youth about these at home or before starting the Holy Adoration Hour.
- Blessing with holy water - We recognize the church as God’s house and we recognize Jesus’ true presence in the consecrated host that is reserved in the tabernacle in the church. To help prepare yourself to enter God’s presence, you bless yourself with Holy Water, remembering the water of your Baptism which washed you clean from original sin. We dip our finger into the holy water and make the sign of the cross on ourselves. Then you can say....”Lord, I pray that you purify me so I may worthily enter into your house and your presence.”
- Genuflecting to Jesus in the Tabernacle - Once you enter into the church, when you are near to Jesus in the tabernacle, you should to genuflect or bow (if physically you are unable to genuflect) and perhaps sign yourself with the cross to show that you recognize Jesus is present and you want to give him respect and honor.
- Posture before Jesus - Jesus will be exposed on the altar in the beautiful monstrance. The word Monstrance means “to show.” It is one of the blessed vessels of the Church which helps us in a small way to give Jesus honor. Jesus is our King and the Monstrance is like a beautiful crown, showing us our great King.
During our Holy Hour with Jesus, out of great reverence and love, everyone will be very close and kneeling before Him. The floor is hard. Out of love, you can offer to God any discomfort you might experience. God also understands your discomfort if it distracts you from Him and it is ok to sit back on your heels or all the way down onto the floor. But, make sure you keep a reverent and respectful posture before Jesus.
