For Fr. John Riccardo, a priest ordained for 27 years and with 58 years of life experience, the profound practice of Eucharistic adoration and exposition was not a familiar aspect of his early faith formation. Growing up in the seventies, this form of devotion was absent from his Catholic school education and personal prayer life. Despite attending Catholic schools throughout his grade and high school years, Eucharistic adoration remained outside the scope of his spiritual practices. However, a consistent habit of daily prayer was instilled in him from a young age. By the time he entered the seminary, he had cultivated a routine of dedicating an hour each morning to prayer, though not initially in the presence of the Eucharist.
This personal background is crucial to understanding the divine intervention that Fr. John Riccardo experienced, as it was not born from nostalgia or a rekindling of a childhood devotion. His encounter with Eucharistic adoration was a direct and transformative experience from God, shaping his priesthood in profound ways.
About a year and a half into his priesthood at Divine Child in Dearborn, Fr. John Riccardo became involved in teaching RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). During a weekend retreat with around 30 individuals, he observed the deep appreciation everyone had for two particular elements: the unhurried and prayerful celebration of Mass, and the extended periods of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
Each night of the retreat, Fr. John Riccardo exposed the Eucharist for several hours. He witnessed firsthand the powerful ways in which God worked in people’s lives through this practice. As a newly ordained priest with limited exposure to Eucharistic adoration, this experience deeply moved him. As the retreat concluded, participants expressed a desire to maintain this connection upon returning to their parish. Responding to this yearning, Fr. John Riccardo approached the pastor with the idea of a weekly evening Mass that allowed for a more contemplative pace. The pastor readily agreed, and they initiated a weeknight Mass followed by prayer ministry. Fr. John Riccardo and a few others dedicated up to three hours after Mass praying with individuals seeking spiritual support. While this prayer ministry was a source of grace, the extended wait times became challenging for both those seeking prayer and the ministry team.
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Seeking a more sustainable and impactful approach, Fr. John Riccardo found inspiration during his morning prayer. While reading reflections by Sr. Briege McKenna, an Irish nun, a particular anecdote resonated deeply. Sr. Briege recounted a sleepless night before a speaking engagement, leading her to the chapel for prayer. As she knelt, she heard the Lord say, “Briege, there’s too much breeze. They don’t need you. They need me.”
Upon reading this, Fr. John Riccardo felt an immediate understanding of God’s message for him. The following week, he announced a change to the evening liturgy. Instead of prayer ministry after Mass, he would expose the Blessed Sacrament on the altar, inviting people to seek healing and grace directly from the “Divine Physician.” After distributing communion, he placed kneelers in front of the altar, encouraging people to approach the Lord in Eucharistic adoration.
As soon as Fr. John Riccardo exposed the Eucharist and knelt, he was met with an astonishing sight. Thirty to forty people moved into the sanctuary, drawn to the presence of Jesus. Overwhelmed with wonder and awe, Fr. John Riccardo experienced a profound moment of spiritual insight. As he gazed between the people and the Blessed Sacrament, he perceived Jesus standing on the altar, where the monstrance was placed, looking out at the congregation. In this vision, Jesus turned towards Fr. John Riccardo and bowed gracefully, with hands open, saying, “John, don’t you see how easy this is? You just have to put Me out and I’ll work.”
This pivotal encounter, occurring 26 years prior, marked a life-altering moment for Fr. John Riccardo’s priesthood. From that day forward, the establishment of an adoration chapel became a priority in every parish he served. He initiated daily exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, inviting people into prayerful communion with Jesus. The result has been countless encounters with God’s grace, a testament to God’s desire for Eucharistic adoration, even exceeding our own.
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