| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Exposiotion of the Blessed Sacrament | Anne | Thursday, December 30, 2004 |
Question: Can you please answer these questions about exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Can a youth group in a parish sit around the altar while Jesus is exposed in the monstrance? In some parishes, they go as far, in a prayer group, to sit around the altar while Jesus is exposed in the monstrance, and touch the altar cloth! is this allowed? Can the young people of lifeteen sit in the sanctuary for prayers when there is no exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance, and the tabernacle is on the high altar? Who is allowed to expose and repose the Blessed Sacrament? I heard it was only Priests, Deacons and ordained acolyte; an extraordinary minister of the Euchatist may repose the Blessed Sacrament with special permission. Where could I get the rules on this very important subject. Many are making their own rules. Thank you and God bless you. Anne |
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| Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek
Dear Anne, The document that contains the rite for exposition is "Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass". Inside you will not find any rule about approaching the altar, but I would think that rule for Mass, found in Notitiae, would also apply to adoration and any other time. <BLOCKQUOTE>During the liturgy of the eucharist, only the presiding celebrant remains at the altar. The assembly of the faithful take their place in the Church outside the "presbyterium," which is reserved for the celebrant or concelebrants and altar ministers: Not 17 (1981) 61.</BLOCKQUOTE> You are correct about the minister of exposition, this is also found in the document. I think many times a problem is that the "boundaries" of the sanctuary aren't as clear as they should be, thus "inviting" anyone to come forward. Mr. Slavek Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers. (b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks. (c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively. |
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