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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Blessed sacrament left exposed by itself	Bruce	Monday, March 22, 2010
Question: Why is it bad to leave the Blessed sacrament exposed by itself? some times i go to the chapel in the mornings and the doors to the blessed sacrament are left open without anyone being in there. there's even a sign on the door saying to close it.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Bruce: Eucharisticum Mysterium, nos. 63, 64, 65, indicates that Eucharistic Exposition is to be celebrated only if there is an "assurance of the participation of a reasonable number of faithful" to be present to adore the Blessed Sacrament. When Eucharistic Exposition is celebrated the host is exposed usually in a monstrance for the specific purpose of adoration from the Faithful. When not exposed the Eucharist is "reposed" in the tabernacle. To bring our Lord from the tabernacle for exposition and no one is there to adore Him, adoration is not happening and it is profoundly rude to our Lord. We are not to neglect our Lord who has been exposed specifically for adoration. There is also a practical matter in that if no one is there then who is guarding the Blessed Sacrament from abuse or theft. It is an issue of respect for our Lord. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Blessed sacrament left exposed by itself

Bruce

Monday, March 22, 2010

Question:

Why is it bad to leave the Blessed sacrament exposed by itself? some times i go to the chapel in the mornings and the doors to the blessed sacrament are left open without anyone being in there. there's even a sign on the door saying to close it.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Bruce:

Eucharisticum Mysterium, nos. 63, 64, 65, indicates that Eucharistic Exposition is to be celebrated only if there is an "assurance of the participation of a reasonable number of faithful" to be present to adore the Blessed Sacrament.

When Eucharistic Exposition is celebrated the host is exposed usually in a monstrance for the specific purpose of adoration from the Faithful. When not exposed the Eucharist is "reposed" in the tabernacle.

To bring our Lord from the tabernacle for exposition and no one is there to adore Him, adoration is not happening and it is profoundly rude to our Lord. We are not to neglect our Lord who has been exposed specifically for adoration.

There is also a practical matter in that if no one is there then who is guarding the Blessed Sacrament from abuse or theft.

It is an issue of respect for our Lord.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum