Reception of New Members
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
A few minutes before the start of the first hour of the Vigil, the Spiritual Moderator or other designated person exposes the Blessed Sacrament according to the directives given in the section of the Roman Ritual entitled "Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass," 84-94. (See also 19-21 of the Statues of the Nocturnal Adoration Society.)
The directives referred to above state that a hymn may be sung as the minister exposes the Eucharist on the altar. The following or any other suitable Eucharistic hymn may be sung.
O SALUTARIS
O Saving Victim, opening wide
the gate of heav'n to man below;
our foes press on from every side;
thine aid supply, thy strength bestow.To thy great name be endless praise,
immortal Godhead, one in three!
O grant us endless length of days,
in our true native land with thee. Amen.
CEREMONIAL FOR RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
The candidates kneel at the front of the sanctuary. The Spiritual Moderator, or other delegated cleric, in liturgical vesture, then blesses the badges.
Presider:
My brothers and sisters in Christ, in this ceremony for the reception of new members, let us ask the Lord to bless these badges.Almighty, everlasting God, we ask you in your kindness to bless these emblems (+) which recall the honor and worship due the Eucharistic presence of your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; so that whoever wears the badge and humbly strives to serve and honor your Son through Nocturnal Adoration may by his merits and intercession be granted your abundant grace in this life and share his glory in the eternal Kingdom, through Christ our Lord.
Candidates:
Amen.President:
Father, we are presenting these candidates for admission into the Nocturnal Adoration Society.Presider:
If you think them qualified for admission, it is with joy that I welcome them into our Society.(To the candidates) Why do you wish to become a member of the Nocturnal Adoration Society?
Candidates:
I have come to know the love of God ― shown forth in Jesus ― and celebrated in the Eucharist, ― and I wish to respond to God's gift ― with the gift of my love.Presider:
How do you intend to do this?Candidates:
I wish to make Jesus in the Eucharist the center of my life, to participate frequently in the celebration of Mass, ― to prolong the grace of the Eucharist in my prayer, ― especially in fidelity to my monthly hour of adoration, ― and to proclaim and extend Christ's love in the witness of my daily life.Presider:
What do you ask of the Lord in return?Candidates:
To become, in spirit and truth, an adorer of the risen Lord in the Eucharist ― so that the kingdom of Jesus may come in power among us.Presider:
How do you propose to persevere in this purpose?Candidates
My source of inspiration will be the Gospels, ― my strength, the body and blood of Christ, ― my support, a community of brother and sister adorers ― who have also experienced the goodness of God ― through this great sacrament.The badges are then distributed to each member at the front of the sanctuary. As he gives the badge, the Presider says:
Accept this badge as a reminder of your membership and commitment in our Society.
After the new members have received their badges, all members present stand and together recite the following Act of Commitment.
ACT OF COMMITMENT
In union with all the members of the Archconfraternity of Nocturnal Adoration Society. ― I offer you, O Lord, here present among us ― through the mystery and power of the Eucharist, ― the pledge of my worship of adoration ― thanksgiving ― reparation ― and petition, ― and especially my resolve to join with you, ― through Eucharistic prayer during the hours of night, ― in your intercession with the Father for the salvation of the world.
I trust in the intercession and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, ― Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, ― and of Saint Peter Julian Eymard, apostle of the Eucharist.
May you, O Lord, be ever praised by all, ― for the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours ― now and forever. Amen.
With the following words, which are essential for valid membership in the Society, the Presider signifies his acceptance of the new members.
In virtue of the faculty granted me by the Holy See through the Archconfraternity of Nocturnal Adoration, I hereby receive you into the Archconfraternity of Nocturnal Adoration and make you beneficiaries of all the spiritual benefits which have been expressly granted by the Holy See to the Archconfraternity in Rome. (He blesses the new members.) May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All:
Amen.
