Adoration Chapels -- Diocese of Rockford, Ill.

Destination: Ready for a pilgrimage? 

Parish pilgrimages abound all times of year, but as the new school year gets started and schedules start to fill with commitments, a peaceful day trip or weekend at a shrine may seem out of reach. Maybe, at the end of the day, you only have free time after 10 at night — or later. 

None of that is an obstacle for God, though, who rejoices when we spend time with Him! 

Eighteen adoration chapels around the Diocese of Rockford ensure that we are never too far from Him. Perpetual adoration hours (or nighttime hours) welcome us amid our “hustle and bustle” and invite us to a time of quiet prayer. 

Photos: Top — The adoration chapel at Holy Cross Parish, Batavia, is located in the church building left of the main sanctuary altar (Photo provided).

Bottom — A stained-glass window at St. Mary Parish, Huntley, depicts St. Clare (the founder of the Poor Clares) repelling the Saracen invaders with the Blessed Sacrament (Photo provided/Maria Maddox).

Why to go: Venerable Fulton J. Sheen is quoted as saying, “We become like that which we gaze upon;” by spending time with God, we become more like Him. Ideas for a Holy Hour (or any length of time before the Blessed Sacrament or in another quiet place) include reading Scripture, listening to worship music, journaling, or simply sitting and talking with God. 

Accessibility: Not all of the chapels are open 24/7, and some have different weekend hours. Many of the chapels use key codes. Visit or call the parish office ahead of time for the code. 

(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course! After school (and maybe after some time at the playground) might be a good time for them to stop for even a quick prayer before Jesus. 

Info: This year, The Observer published a special 24-page bilingual booklet about the diocese’s adoration chapels, the Eucharist and adoration. “Holy Time with God” includes a map, locations and open times for each of the 18 chapels. 

You can download copies of the booklet for free (in PDF format) by visiting https://observer.rockforddiocese.org/files/files/Special%20Sections/2023%20EuchRev%20-WEB.pdf or by clicking the image in the yellow box on The Observer website at https://observer.rockforddiocese.org/index

—By Megan Peterson, features/multimedia editor, with some information provided by Amanda Hudson. Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org