Jesus came to the Ohio Statehouse on Oct. 1 and spent four hours there while 125 people stopped in to visit Him and countless others were exposed to His presence.

A state capitol building is not where you might expect the Blessed Sacrament to be found, but the Eucharistic Lord was there in all His splendor inside the Governor Thomas Worthington Center on the lower level of the historic building.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on a Tuesday, a steady stream of adorers came to pray and adore, some of them kneeling on the floor before the monstrance containing the Sacred Host that was set up on a makeshift altar at the front of the small room.

Among those stopping to pray were several state legislators and members of legislative staffs.

Michelle Duffey, associate director of communications for the Catholic Conference of Ohio, said the idea came as part of the Year of Mission for the National Eucharistic Revival, which was initiated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2021 to rekindle devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

“The Catholic bishops of Ohio envisioned Adoration at the Statehouse as an opportunity to Go on Mission as Faithful Citizens and pray for our nation, state and government leaders, as well as the upcoming election,” she said.

A prayer guide, which was made available at the Statehouse, included those intentions as well as intentions to prayer for the community and the poor and vulnerable. 

The Museum of Catholic Art and History provided the monstrance and candelabras, and the altar, altar cloths and kneeler came from Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral.

Father Daniel Bowen, O. de M. a priest of the Mercedarian Order from Columbus Holy Family Church, brought the Blessed Sacrament for Exposition and also led Benediction and the praying the Angelus at noon. Father Paul Keller, OP, director of the diocese’s Office of Divine Worship, planned the event.

Father Bowen said he was approached several weeks ago about the opportunity and “I was like, absolutely. What a great thing to bring our Eucharistic Lord to our state capitol.”

Not only did Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament provide a chance to pray in a public setting, it was a moment for evangelization to Catholics and non-Catholics. 

“We had people waiting there before we were even ready to begin, maybe a quarter till 10,” Father Bowen said. “They couldn’t wait.”

After singing the O Salutaris Hostia (O Saving Victim) at the start, the next four hours were spent in silence except when Father Bowen led the Angelus at noon.    

“It was wonderful because you had every people of every age there,” he said. “It wasn't just representatives. It extended beyond the statehouse to the faithful who wanted to come and make a holy hour, half hour or whatever. You had mothers there with newborns, little infants. You had elderly folks, the whole gamut.

“It was obviously beautiful and wonderful. Any time spent with Our Eucharistic Lord is time never wasted. It was great to see the support of the people.”

As Ohio’s bishops declared in their statement, one of the primary reasons for the statehouse Adoration was to pray for political leaders.

“It really is our duty and responsibility to be involved in the civil affairs,” Father Bowen said. “Thankfully, we live in a country, in a state where our faith is not persecuted, and we are able to openly practice our faith even to the point where we can bring our Lord in the statehouse. The fact that that could be possible and was welcomed and invited, we should thank God for that.”

There’s no telling what the impact of the public witness might have on policymakers and the upcoming November election. 

“There's no substitute for the citizens themselves being face to face in front of the representatives to say let's get rid of the death penalty, let's make sure that people coming out of prison have a way to come back into society, that women in an unexpected pregnancy can choose to have their child,” Father Bowen said. “It’s all very, very, very important. 

“On so many occasions in history where He's been brought forward in that way, it made a difference. I know it made a difference for me in the four hours being there personally, but beyond that, perhaps even the whole building.”

The Catholic Conference of Ohio reserved the space and date through the Ohio Statehouse Capital Square Review and Advisory Board after determining that the Governor Thomas Worthington Center was best suited for Adoration. 

Duffey said the Adoration was well received and could be offered again in the future. 

“That was absolutely amazing that it could actually take place,” Father Bowen said. “I was blown away. And I hope it’s something that can continue.”