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Guidelines for Adoration Chapel Cyril Monday, February 2, 2009

Question:

We have an Adoration Chapel which has recently been redecorated. A few changes have caused debate and our objective is to do what is correct. 1. The crucifix, previously located on the wall just above the monstrance is now to one side of the altar. On the other side is a picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Many people have requested the crucifix be returned to the previous location. 2. The altar, previously away from the wall, allowing space behind for the lay person to conduct the weekly Communion Service, has been moved against the wall and a table is brought in for the Communion Service. 3. The ciborium is removed from the tabernacle and placed on the altar before the Communion Service begins rather than going to the tabernacle at the time of the distribution of Holy Communion. Are there guidelines for the placing of the crucifix, the use of the altar or a table for the Communion Service and whether the ciborium should be brought into the Chapel before the start of the Communion Service? Thank you for your help.

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Cyril,

The document that addresses Holy Communion outside Mass is "Eucharistiae Sacramentum" known in English as "Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass".  It handles both "communion services" and eucharistic adoration. It is available here: http://www.saint-mike.org/library/Curia/Congregations/Worship/Eucharistiae_Sacramentum.html

To answer your questions, the document doesn't mention the place for the crucifix or altar.  I would say that since the Mass is also celebrated in your chapel that whatever is suitable for Mass would be the same for Holy Communion outside Mass.

Eucharistiae Sacramentum DOES mention that the ciborium is removed from the tabernacle and placed on the ALTAR (does not say table) at a specific point during the rite, NOT beforehand.

For some reason the online edition of the document omits the actual rites, but both the short and long rite mention that the ciborium is removed "after the prayer".  I'll quote from the long rite:

"After the prayer the minister goes to the place where the sacrament is reserved, takes the ciborium or pyx containing the body of the Lord, places it on the altar and genuflects.  He then introduces the Lord's prayer..."  (n.30, in the short rite similar wording is used in n.45)

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.