Q1: I was visiting a retreat center recently in which there is a small Blessed Sacrament chapel in one of the rooms in the guesthouse. In the chapel the Eucharist is present but not housed in a tabernacle (at least in the traditional sense). Instead, a ciborium is kept under what appears to be a small upside-down glass vase. I found this troubling and mentioned it, but several months later when I returned it was the same situation. It seems careless that anyone can visit the chapel at any hour, and (if they wanted to) walk up and take the Eucharist at any time. Is there a clear instruction on the proper keeping of the Eucharist, and what constitutes a tabernacle? — J.C., Toronto
Q2: What is the proper order for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the end of the Mass? Should the Mass be finished first and then expose the Blessed Sacrament? Where could we find some ideas for the order of procession of the Blessed Sacrament again after Mass? — A.R., Fullerton, California
A: Since both questions are related to the Eucharist I will briefly address them.
First of all, the norms regarding the structure of the tabernacle are found in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 314:
«In accordance with the structure of each church and legitimate local customs, the Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is truly noble, prominent, readily visible, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.
«The one tabernacle should be immovable, be made of solid and inviolable material that is not transparent, and be locked in such a way that the danger of profanation is prevented to the greatest extent possible. Moreover, it is appropriate that, before it is put into liturgical use, it be blessed according to the rite described in the Roman Ritual.»
The tabernacle described by our reader certainly failed to adhere to this norm on several counts. It was apparently neither opaque nor immovable. I suggest that our reader inform the bishop of the diocese where the retreat house is found, as his permission is required to have a chapel and it falls under his direct supervision.
A sterling resource for the themes of exposition, adoration, and Eucharistic processions can be found in Monsignor (now bishop) Peter J. Elliott’s «Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite,» published by Ignatius Press. This book effectively synthesizes several official sources such as the Roman Ritual for Eucharistic Worship Outside of Mass and the Ceremonial of Bishops. There are also many other recent publications that give ideas for suitable hymns and texts that may be used during adoration and processions. An excellent resource online is found at http://www.therealpresence.org.
Based on Monsignor Elliott’s work we can say the following regarding the question about exposition at the end of Mass:
While Mass may never be celebrated before the Blessed Sacrament exposed («in the same area of the church or oratory» where the host is exposed), exposition and adoration may commence immediately after a Mass. This action should be seen to flow from the Eucharistic liturgy; therefore, a host consecrated at that Mass should be exposed immediately after Communion.
The Prayer after Communion is said at the chair. The final blessing and dismissal are omitted. After reciting the Prayer after Communion the celebrant, deacon(s) and ministers line up in front of the altar, genuflect and then kneel while a suitable hymn of adoration is sung. The Blessed Sacrament is incensed as usual for exposition. After the incensation and a brief moment of silent prayer, all genuflect and return to the sacristy. The final hymn of the Mass is omitted.
Devotions may immediately follow the incensation (before the celebrants return to the sacristy), but Benediction is not to be given immediately after Mass.
The recommendation that the host for exposition be consecrated at the Mass refers above all to occasional periods of adoration. This would not be practical in places having daily or perpetual adoration. In this case it is probably better for the priest to finish Mass as normal, return to the sacristy, remove the chasuble and then return to expose the Blessed Sacrament.
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Readers may send questions to liturgy@zenit.org. Please put the word «Liturgy» in the subject field. The text should include your initials, your city and your state, province or country. Father McNamara can only answer a small selection of the great number of questions that arrive.
