Adoration decorum

[JohnBowen]

During our parish retreats, one of the “personal faith journey testimonies” is given in the Adoration Chapel in front of the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the Monstrance. Where can I find church guidance or documents to point out that this practice is not in keeping with the reverence due to the Blessed Sacrament, or am I mistaken that his should not be permitted?

 

[aemcpa]

Redemptionis Sacramentum 137 and the related footnote read:
**
[137.] Exposition of the Most Holy Eucharist must always be carried out in accordance with the prescriptions of the liturgical books.[235]

[235] Cf. Roman Ritual, Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass, nn. 82-100; Missale Romanum, Institutio Generalis, n. 317; Code of Canon Law, can. 941 § 2.**

I don’t actually know what the documents in the footnotes say about your question, but most likely you’ll find your answer in one of those three references.

 

[Lancer]

Based on the following answer (from bishops–USCCB–)…re: doing the devotional exercise of the Stations of the Cross…during Eucharistic Exposition/Adoration…personal testimonies are clearly not appropriate.

Pax Christi

USCCB > Prayer And Worship > Devotionals > Adoration
Devotions And Eucharistic Adoration

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/devotionals/adoration/devotions-and-eucharistic-adoration.cfm

In the light of these directives, the Order for Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist provides several settings for the Liturgy of the Hours and two Eucharistic Services of Prayer and Praise. These liturgies are designed to "acknowledge Christ’s marvelous presence in the sacrament and invites us to the spiritual union with him that culminates in sacramental communion." (Order for Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist, number 7)

The Stations of the Cross is an ancient and venerable devotion which is designed to foster a devotion to and meditation on the mystery of the Passion of Christ.** As commendable as such a devotion may be, it can never fulfill the purpose of eucharistic adoration, that is to draw us more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s presence in the Holy Eucharist.** Therefore,** neither the Stations of the Cross nor any other devotion should be prayed during exposition of the Eucharist**.

I would strongly encourage anyone involved in the planning of eucharistic devotions to bear in mind that** the purpose of all exposition is adoration of Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament.** The liturgies which the Church provides for us in the Order for Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist should provide the basis for all solemn eucharistic worship.

 

[aemcpa]

Based on the following answer (from bishops–USCCB–)…re: doing the devotional exercise of the Stations of the Cross…during Eucharistic Exposition/Adoration…personal testimonies are clearly not appropriate.

Pax Christi

Redemptionis Sacramentum explicitly states that the Rosary is not to be forbidden during Exposition:

**Before the Most Holy Sacrament either reserved or exposed, the praying of the Rosary, which is admirable “in its simplicity and even its profundity”, is not to be excluded either.[236] Even so, especially if there is Exposition, the character of this kind of prayer as a contemplation of the mystery of the life of Christ the Redeemer and the Almighty Father’s design of salvation should be emphasized, especially by making use of readings taken from Sacred Scripture.[237]

[236] Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, diei 16 octobris 2002: AAS 95 (2003) pp. 5-36; here n. 2, p. 6.

[237] Cf. Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Letter of the Congregation, 15 January 1997: Notitiae 34 (1998) pp. 506-510; Apostolic Penitentiary, Letter to a Priest, 8 March 1996: Notitiae 34 (1998) p. 511.**

I wonder if the USCCB’s Instruction here pre-dates RS (25 March 2004); I am not aware that RS has been superseded.

 

[lhu768mc46]

a annoncé un responsable local. Le ministère donnait aussi un bilan provisoire des combats : “Jusqu’ici,Israël reste silencieux sur une résolution de lONU demandant une inspection int,La Syrie surmontera la crise (ministre de l’Information) 24
a dit encore le ministre,Référendum britannique sur lUE on ne peut pas, il n’est encore jamais arrivé qu’une date d’élections soit fixée si tôt,Selon Sky news, a déclaré dimanche le ministre syrien de l’Information Omran al-Zaoubi,Les mesquineries du Japon freinent lamélioration,2012 Ã* 13h28 La Syrie surmontera la crise et repoussera l’agression étrangères, près de 200 militaires français son attendus Ã* Bamako,01. dans la banlieue de la capitale syrienne Damas,SANA a déclaré que la bombe a été tirée par des “terroristes”,La Pologne n’est pas membre de la zone euro mais cherche Ã* le devenir.
et que la Pologne souhaitait être au coeur de cette intégration. l’agence de presse turque Anadolu a déclaré que l’accord d’échange,Les rebelles syriens libèrent 48 Iraniens enlevés en août dernier 10Les négociations sur le nucléaire donneront des résultats si le P5+1 reconnait les droits de l’Iran (porte-parole) 19 Mehmanparast. Le 10 janvier,Mir Zubair Mehmood, Il a appelé Ã* une réaction “rapide et crédible” de la part de la communauté internationale. qui ont violé son droit Ã* mener des lancements pacifiques de satellite”,La Russie a proposé de manière répétée que les États-Unis organisent une réunion de ce groupe de travail en 2012.
a déclaré le diplomate. l’entretien a aussi porté sur les questions régionales et en particulier sur l’Afghanistan.

 

[the_phoenix]

Je vous salue, Marie, pleine de grâce.
Le Seigneur est avec vous.
Vous êtes bénie entre toutes les femmes,
et Jésus, le fruit de vos entrailles, est béni.
Sainte Marie, Mère de Dieu,
Priez pour nous, pauvres pécheurs,
maintenant et à l’heure de notre mort.
Amen

a annoncé un responsable local. Le ministère donnait aussi un bilan provisoire des combats : “Jusqu’ici,Israël reste silencieux sur une résolution de lONU demandant une inspection int,La Syrie surmontera la crise (ministre de l’Information) 24
a dit encore le ministre,Référendum britannique sur lUE on ne peut pas, il n’est encore jamais arrivé qu’une date d’élections soit fixée si tôt,Selon Sky news, a déclaré dimanche le ministre syrien de l’Information Omran al-Zaoubi,Les mesquineries du Japon freinent lamélioration,2012 Ã* 13h28 La Syrie surmontera la crise et repoussera l’agression étrangères, près de 200 militaires français son attendus Ã* Bamako,01. dans la banlieue de la capitale syrienne Damas,SANA a déclaré que la bombe a été tirée par des “terroristes”,La Pologne n’est pas membre de la zone euro mais cherche Ã* le devenir.
et que la Pologne souhaitait être au coeur de cette intégration. l’agence de presse turque Anadolu a déclaré que l’accord d’échange,Les rebelles syriens libèrent 48 Iraniens enlevés en août dernier 10Les négociations sur le nucléaire donneront des résultats si le P5+1 reconnait les droits de l’Iran (porte-parole) 19 Mehmanparast. Le 10 janvier,Mir Zubair Mehmood, Il a appelé Ã* une réaction “rapide et crédible” de la part de la communauté internationale. qui ont violé son droit Ã* mener des lancements pacifiques de satellite”,La Russie a proposé de manière répétée que les États-Unis organisent une réunion de ce groupe de travail en 2012.
a déclaré le diplomate. l’entretien a aussi porté sur les questions régionales et en particulier sur l’Afghanistan.

 

[AloysiusBologna]

My, my, my how things have changed…In some parishes…gone is the Majesty and Awe…but we claim we have “perpetual adoration”…that’s what we call scheduled personal alone time with a dozen or so intermissions per week…Adoration for one…no it seems sometimes it is more like a jack in the box catholic rite…When did things change so much?

 

[Jennifoo]

:sad_yes: I agree that that was inappropriate. I used to attend Eucharistic Adoration at a neighboring parish. I was VERY scandalized by the chit-chat, including angry gossip about parish closings. I would be forced to tell the people in there that my Holy Hour was beginning and I would need silence.

The last straw was when a particularly notorious gossip was chatting with the pastor in the Chapel during my Holy Hour. When I requested silence she yelled at me and he did nothing. After that, I just couldn’t go back. I thought that was absolutely ridiculous.

It’s strange to me that so often young people are considered ill-mannered and/or ignorant of etiquette such as this. The people I’ve had trouble with were all much older that I- 60’s and up.

 

[AloysiusBologna]

Please help, I am confused with all the monies expended for marriage tribunals, pension programs, health insurance, not to mention legal settlements and other things…Where is the importance of the Eucharist? I seem to remember something about IMPORTANT somewhere, BUT only a handful remain on Holy Thursday…We boast of perpetual adoration but have a dozen or so “informal repositions” per week due to gaps or no shows. We can’t find enough interest for a Eucharistic Processional even on Corpus Christi…but we can remove the altar, have a concert, and then place a monstrance on two foot wooden box for everyone to come up and touch…well at least most of the Catholics knelt while touching…kinda different from a King giving up a Carriage, …As to the monies…maybe somewhere we could find a few cents for a resource guide on the proper exultation of the blessed sacrament, maybe have something like a pledge of obedience and some type of oversight committee…I can find information on the Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist
But am having difficulty finding information on the less formal practices…

 

[otjm]

Based on the following answer (from bishops–USCCB–)…re: doing the devotional exercise of the Stations of the Cross…during Eucharistic Exposition/Adoration…personal testimonies are clearly not appropriate.

Pax Christi

It may be possible that the document you quoted is non-responsive to the issue; the document speaks of Solemn Exposition. That my not apply to simple, private adoration, as it speaks of Sole4mn Exposition as a liturgical matter. I don’t think that what we call 24 Hour Adoration equals Solemn Exposition.

 

[otjm]

Please help, I am confused with all the monies expended for marriage tribunals, pension programs, health insurance, not to mention legal settlements and other things…Where is the importance of the Eucharist? I seem to remember something about IMPORTANT somewhere, BUT only a handful remain on Holy Thursday…We boast of perpetual adoration but have a dozen or so “informal repositions” per week due to gaps or no shows. We can’t find enough interest for a Eucharistic Processional even on Corpus Christi…but we can remove the altar, have a concert, and then place a monstrance on two foot wooden box for everyone to come up and touch…well at least most of the Catholics knelt while touching…kinda different from a King giving up a Carriage, …As to the monies…maybe somewhere we could find a few cents for a resource guide on the proper exultation of the blessed sacrament, maybe have something like a pledge of obedience and some type of oversight committee…I can find information on the Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist
But am having difficulty finding information on the less formal practices…

Our parish has ahd 24 Hour Adoration for a long time (I think 15+ years now) and periodically we need to go through a process of getting people on board again. Schedules change, people move, family and other commitments change and there can be a multitude of reasons people drop out.

What has been most effective is every few years, having a preacher come in (we have had one who has come several times - can’t remember his name, but I think he is a Dominican - and just possibly an ex-drill sergeant…!). Just a thought, but you might see if you can get someone from outside the parish who strongly supports 24 Hour Adoration to speak at all the Masses.

 

[otjm]

:sad_yes: I agree that that was inappropriate. I used to attend Eucharistic Adoration at a neighboring parish. I was VERY scandalized by the chit-chat, including angry gossip about parish closings. I would be forced to tell the people in there that my Holy Hour was beginning and I would need silence.

The last straw was when a particularly notorious gossip was chatting with the pastor in the Chapel during my Holy Hour. When I requested silence she yelled at me and he did nothing. After that, I just couldn’t go back. I thought that was absolutely ridiculous.

It’s strange to me that so often young people are considered ill-mannered and/or ignorant of etiquette such as this. The people I’ve had trouble with were all much older that I- 60’s and up.

Ach! I probably would have suggested that she was in fornt of the Eucharist, her response was totally inappropriate, and then told her to take it outside.

ad for sure I would not have let that stop me. Try going back - we need more people praying.

Keep in mind also that not everyone has all their marbles lined up; she might be someone who is in need of a bit of compassion.

 

[AloysiusBologna]

ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA
**Other positive signs of Eucharistic faith and love might also be mentioned.
Unfortunately, alongside these lights, there are also shadows. In some places the practice of Eucharistic adoration has been almost completely abandoned. In various parts of the Church abuses have occurred, leading to confusion with regard to sound faith and Catholic doctrine concerning this wonderful sacrament. At times one encounters an extremely reductive understanding of the Eucharistic mystery. Stripped of its sacrificial meaning, it is celebrated as if it were simply a fraternal banquet. Furthermore, the necessity of the ministerial priesthood, grounded in apostolic succession, is at times obscured and the sacramental nature of the Eucharist is reduced to its mere effectiveness as a form of proclamation. This has led here and there to ecumenical initiatives which, albeit well-intentioned, indulge in Eucharistic practices contrary to the discipline by which the Church expresses her faith. How can we not express profound grief at all this? The Eucharist is too great a gift to tolerate ambiguity and depreciation.

What happened to the Majesty and Awe? The true recognition? Who must respond? How can we not? Have things so drastically changed? Are we desensitized?
Are we no longer responsible? Who do we follow? Who must we follow? Have we become so tolerant for charity’s sake we have forgotten the love of The Lord? What do we ignore?

 

[Jennifoo]

Ach! I probably would have suggested that she was in fornt of the Eucharist, her response was totally inappropriate, and then told her to take it outside.

ad for sure I would not have let that stop me. Try going back - we need more people praying.

Keep in mind also that not everyone has all their marbles lined up; she might be someone who is in need of a bit of compassion.

Thanks for your concern. This actually happened several years ago and I am not going back. The woman I mentioned is in charge of it, browbeats the pastor and insists on over-decorating the chapel with WAY too many prayer books, rosaries slung over EVERY chair and the like. She’s very controlling and manipulative-I’ve known her for eleven years- and I prefer to avoid her.

On a good note, the new Pastor at my new parish is wanting to have Eucharistic Adoration- not perpetual, but that okay with me.

 

[otjm]

Thanks for your concern. This actually happened several years ago and I am not going back. The woman I mentioned is in charge of it, browbeats the pastor and insists on over-decorating the chapel with WAY too many prayer books, rosaries slung over EVERY chair and the like. She’s very controlling and manipulative-I’ve known her for eleven years- and I prefer to avoid her.

On a good note, the new Pastor at my new parish is wanting to have Eucharistic Adoration- not perpetual, but that okay with me.

It takes a lot of effort to get it going, partial or perpetual, but it is worth every effort. Only good can come of it.

On the other note - one wants to be careful where one steps if there are marbles rolling around on the floor…

Sounds like a good decision.

 

[englishredrose]

Thanks for your concern. This actually happened several years ago and I am not going back. The woman I mentioned is in charge of it, browbeats the pastor and insists on over-decorating the chapel with WAY too many prayer books, rosaries slung over EVERY chair and the like. She’s very controlling and manipulative-I’ve known her for eleven years- and I prefer to avoid her.

QUOTE]

then let it lie in peace rather than drag it into the open when there is nothing to be done.

 

[Jennifoo]

Jennifoo;10640967:

Thanks for your concern. This actually happened several years ago and I am not going back. The woman I mentioned is in charge of it, browbeats the pastor and insists on over-decorating the chapel with WAY too many prayer books, rosaries slung over EVERY chair and the like. She’s very controlling and manipulative-I’ve known her for eleven years- and I prefer to avoid her.

QUOTE]

then let it lie in peace rather than drag it into the open when there is nothing to be done.

I mentioned it because it pertains to the topic of this thread, and it looks like bad behaviour at Mass and Adoration is becoming disturbingly common. The act of stating examples and concerns is NOT, as you say “dragging it out into the open” since names were not mentioned. Talking about it can be helpful.

Perhaps a Holy Hour is what you need right now. …just sayin’

 

[Jennifoo]

It takes a lot of effort to get it going, partial or perpetual, but it is worth every effort. Only good can come of it.

On the other note - one wants to be careful where one steps if there are marbles rolling around on the floor…

Sounds like a good decision.

 

[Fairwinds]

My, my, my how things have changed…In some parishes…gone is the Majesty and Awe…but we claim we have “perpetual adoration”…that’s what we call scheduled personal alone time with a dozen or so intermissions per week…Adoration for one…no it seems sometimes it is more like a jack in the box catholic rite…When did things change so much?

you can only speak for yourself.

my parish has an adoration chapel, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week (excluding Masses), and a rota of adorers so there are always at least two in His presence.

while your experience is undoubtedly different, mine (2-3am once a week) has been profoundly spiritual.

F

 

[AloysiusBologna]

It may not be scriptural but seems to ring true…Anything worth doing, is worth doing right…
Why would we consider, let alone do, something less than our best for The Lord?
Why would we give less than our best example? Does charity demand tolerance or are we stirred to action to prevent what many would see as progress towards the paths leading to sacralege, blasphemy, desecration, impiety, irreverence, and poor manners? Yes poor manners…What manner of courtesy would allow a guest to ignore his host? What code of conduct would prevent one from actively listening to his most trusted friend? If Ignorance is his name, should we not express our concern? If conceived by bad example, should we not immediately interrupt lest poor habits become multiplied and their seed sowed with others?

Surely we are not to do even the least thing they might diminish what we hold dear. How will others judge our actions when they are not consistent with our words? Why would we not give ALL glory, ALL laud, and ALL honour when it is so justly due? Should we not at least try to always do our best, instead of trying to do less and less?

Perhaps I do not understand the difference between Adoration and Adoration. Both use the same Monstrance, the same Luna, the same Church, the same Consecrated Host, and I see the same Mystical Body. What is different? Is it simply that one uses a humeral veil? Maybe it is because there are 2 candles instead of 10. Maybe the difference depends on the hearing of Tantum Ergo!

Please enlighten me.