Importance of Adoration
What happens when we set aside an hour to simply be in the presence of Jesus?
In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek welcome Fr. Andrew Marshall, a Scottish Catholic priest and missionary with the Adoracio Foundation, to explore the beauty and transformative power of Eucharistic adoration.
Fr. Andrew shares his remarkable journey from parish ministry in Scotland to traveling across the United States, helping Catholic communities deepen their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He recounts the extraordinary moments of discernment that led him to missionary life, including two deeply personal experiences that he believes confirmed God's calling.
Recorded during his three-day In His Presence parish mission at Christ the King in Lexington, Kentucky, the conversation explores what Eucharistic adoration means, why spending time before the Blessed Sacrament matters, and how parishes can cultivate a lasting culture of prayer.
Fr. Andrew also discusses the Adoracio Foundation's vision for a worldwide network of Eucharistic shrines dedicated to praying for peace, the challenges of missionary life, and the moving experiences of those who have participated in his missions.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- What Eucharistic adoration is and how it differs from receiving Holy Communion at Mass.
- Why Fr. Andrew encourages every Catholic to commit to a weekly holy hour.
- The personal signs and experiences that inspired his journey from Scotland to America.
- How the In His Presence mission combines Scripture, meditation, music, and prayer.
- The symbolism behind the beautiful Marian monstrance used during his missions.
- How the Adoracio Foundation helps parishes establish and sustain Eucharistic adoration.
- Stories of spiritual renewal, personal transformation, and reported healing.
- Why Fr. Andrew believes a single hour of prayer can deepen our relationship with Christ.
00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Fr. Andrew Marshall
01:54 – The purpose and power of Eucharistic adoration
03:05 – Understanding the Real Presence and the monstrance
05:14 – Fulton Sheen and the tradition of the holy hour
06:05 – From Scottish parish priest to American missionary
08:23 – Two extraordinary signs that confirmed his calling
11:47 – Traveling across America to inspire Eucharistic devotion
13:25 – Bringing the In His Presence mission to Christ the King
14:55 – What happens during a Eucharistic parish mission?
17:13 – The Marian monstrance and its spiritual symbolism
18:48 – A worldwide network of shrines dedicated to peace
21:14 – The physical and spiritual challenges of missionary life
24:57 – Early results and testimonies from the Lexington mission
28:38 – Building a lasting culture of Eucharistic adoration
32:14 – Overcoming resistance and encouraging participation
34:26 – How missionary life has transformed Fr. Andrew
36:32 – Finding peace, healing, and holiness in Christ's presence
About Our GuestFr. Andrew Marshall is a diocesan priest from Scotland who serves as chaplain and missionary for the Adoracio Foundation, based in Beloit, Kansas. After six years of parish ministry, he discerned a call to bring the message of Eucharistic adoration to a wider audience.
Through parish missions across the United States, Fr. Andrew encourages Catholics to encounter Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and make Eucharistic adoration a regular part of their spiritual lives.
A Thought to Take With YouThe invitation to Eucharistic adoration is simple: spend time with Jesus. Whether through prayer, Scripture, quiet reflection, or simply sitting in His presence, a holy hour offers an opportunity to deepen faith and experience the peace that comes from being with Christ.
Listen to this episode of Real Living and discover why Fr. Andrew believes that an hour spent in the presence of Jesus can change a life.