Andrew Mensah is a student at the University of Kent and features in the Archdiocese of Southwark’s campaign ‘Hope in adoration’, which is promoting Eucharistic adoration this Jubilee Year.
Being a lapsed Catholic and transitioning to university, I knew I needed a place to grow in my faith to avoid falling fully into worldly life. After months of searching and praying, my dad told me to “return to Mass”. Surprisingly, this time, his words resonated deeply with my spirit, despite my vow never to return to the Catholic faith. I then found Fr Mark Wharton and became active within my chaplaincy at the University of Kent.
I never knew what Eucharistic adoration was until I met Fr Mark. Once I learned all about it, it changed my life. No longer did I have to ‘hop’ from church to church, waiting to feel ‘at home’— I was now abiding in the Real Presence of our Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, which allowed me to have a deeper relationship with God.
Adoration is not only a time to be with Christ but also an opportunity to reflect on our lives. We live in a world with constant noise—we go from work to lectures, to TikTok, to phone calls, to messages… When was the last time we had ten minutes of peace and silence in which we could hear our Lord speak? God often speaks to us in a “small voice” [1 Kings 19:12]. Adoration is every Christian’s opportunity to hear His voice and “abide in Him” [John 15:5].
Andrew Mensah is a student at the University of Kent and features in the Archdiocese of Southwark’s campaign ‘Hope in adoration’, which is promoting Eucharistic adoration this Jubilee Year.