by Clyde Ericson Nolasco, Dale Anthony To
Also known as GEA, the Grand Eucharistic Adoration is an event where you can encounter and adore Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, journey with Him in your problems and a reminder of His presence in your life.
An Encounter and Adoration of Christ - GEA is a night wherein various faithful communities can come together to encounter Christ and adore him through prayers and youthful songs, in the presence of the Most Holy Eucharist.
A Journey - It is also a journey, as Jesus is inviting us to respond to His invitation to pause in the distress of life, rejoice in His nearness and remain in His wonderful presence.
A Reminder - And last but not the least, GEA also serves as a reminder for each member of the various communities to give glory to Him and to remain steadfast in faith no matter the circumstance, especially during this time of the pandemic.
ADORATION
“Adoration is the first act of the virtue of religion. To adore God is to acknowledge him as God, as the Creator and Savior, the Lord and Master of everything that exists, as infinite and merciful Love. "You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve," says Jesus, citing Deuteronomy.” - Catechism of the Catholic Church 2096
As Eucharistic Adoration is the extension of our celebration in the Holy Mass, we are also reminded of Jesus offering Himself for us through His passion and death on the cross. Through adoration, we show our gratitude and love for Him as we experience Him through the moments of repentance, thanksgiving and praise.
RESPONSE
To respond to the Church’s call for New Evangelization, the Don Bosco Days with the Lord (DWTL) started the Grand Eucharistic Adoration in 2013. A crowd of 2000 people gathered in a solemn night of adoration and prayer. This year, the GEA is organized by several Days With The Lord Communities in Metro Manila, and continues its mission of sharing Jesus Christ to others so that they may also grow in faith, hope, and love. The event is also the group’s way to share their love and devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist. Ultimately, GEA takes place to promote devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
In 2014, other communities and youth parishes joined the second GEA that included a Youth Festival participated by Bukas Palad, Don Bosco Pugad, onebillionstories.com, and Light of Jesus. That year’s GEA was dubbed as iTune: Click. Play. Share. The following GEA was entitled Daop – Isang Katawan, Isa kay Kristo. This third GEA was about bearing witness to the Good News together with the least, the last, and the lost. Aside from the adoration, GEA 2015 was special because of the Ceremony of Light, wherein attendees from different communities and parishes sang together the World Youth Day 1995 theme song “Tell the World of His Love” as they held their lighted candles
These events were supported by the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth and the Archdiocesan Commission on Youth Manila.
CELEBRATION
This year’s GEA is inspired by the words “Gifted to Give,” the theme of the celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. One with the Catholic church’s mission, Dazers are also gifted to give their love and to share their devotion to Jesus present in the Holy Eucharist.
Bearing the title H.O.P.E. (Hearts Open through Prayer in the Eucharist) this year’s Grand Eucharistic Adoration aims to bring hope to our brothers and sisters in Christ especially those who are greatly affected by the pandemic.
The event will be held on the eve of Corpus Christi (8:30 PM), June 5, 2021 (Saturday) live via Zoom and Facebook Live.
For more information, you can visit their Facebook page Grand Eucharistic Adoration.