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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Proper postures during Adoration Isadore Thursday, September 16, 2004

Question:

I go to an adoration every friday evening (Jesus in the Monstrance on the Altar) and usually I kneel but I wonder if is kneeling required or is it just encouraged, and sitting or standing OK? Also, they have 2 kneelers they put 3 feet in front of the altar and people go up there to kneel and pray before the Monstrance. Is this permissable? The third thing is usually an extraordinary minister is the one who puts Jesus in the monstrance, then puts Him back in the tabernacle when adoration is over. He or she has the priest's permission; the priest knows what is going on (I would assume, I cannot see how not so) but is this permissible?

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Isadore,

Kneeling, sitting and standing are all fine for adoration.  I would kneel until it is no longer comfortable then sit and begin reading.  I don't see a problem with kneelers near the altar.

The documents allow that a lay minister may expose and repose, but only in the absence of a priest or deacon.  My question would be, why is the priest absent, he should NOT be since he is the ordinary minister.  It is his duty, it is part of his orders, he should be there.

The referenced document is Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass, n.91

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.