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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Place for Liturgy Michael Monday, September 22, 2008

Question:

Hello,
I hope this is in the right forum. I onc heard Fr. Corapi said if he wanted to end abortion at a specific place, he would rent the next building over and set up perpetual adoration. My question is can liturgical practices be done anywhere? My house is only a few yards from a place that performs abortions. Can a private residence host mass or adoration, or any other liturgical ceremonies? I think this would help end the abortions there. I am assuming that Fr. Corapi is in comformity with the vatican.


Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Michael,

Some liturgical rites can be celebrated anywhere.  The Liturgy of the Hours, for example, is celebrated wherever the priest (or anyone) happens to be at that hour.

It's usually the rites involving the sacraments that require a church or some other place.

The rite for exposition of the Eucharist does not mention the requirement of a church, however it seems that canon law does.  It states that there can be expositions with the monstrance in churches and oratories where it is permitted reservation of the Holy Eucharist.(n.941)

I myself heard Fr. Corapi's comments on Relevant Radio, and if I remember correctly he said that he would set up a chapel nearby an abortion clinic (mill, facility, I don't recall his exact words).

I don't see immediately why a chapel could not be set inside a private home, however you would need to find a priest to agree to celebrate the rite of exposition.  He also would need permission from his bishop, which would be no easy task since the bishop would need to have reasonable assurance that there will be someone present worshipping the Eucharist 24/7...  which also is no easy task.

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.