Are there provisions for private (family) reservation chapels?

[universalindult]

We are building a small prayer chapel in our home. It will not be used for mass, just private family prayer.

However, I am curious as the whether there are provisions in Church law for a private reservation chapel, i.e., a Tabernacle in a private home chapel.

Regarding chapels, the Catholic Encyclopedia states:

ECCLESIASTICAL LAW AS TO CHAPELS

The present-day law of the Church, while placing no restriction on the erection of chapels that form part of a larger church, lays down very definite regulations respecting any that belong to the category of private chapels. This applies, however, only to those intended for the celebration of Mass; there is no restriction whatever as regards the setting apart of a particular chamber in a private house merely for purposes of private prayer and devotion. But for a chapel in which Mass is to be said, canon law legislates very strictly. Cardinals, bishops (even titular), and regular prelates, are allowed the use of a private chapel by right; for all others a special indult is required. The ordinary of the diocese can give the necessary permission for the chapel or oratory of an institution such as a religious house, an orphanage, hospital, workhouse, or prison, such chapels being usually public or semi-public. But for a strictly private chapel in a private house, intended only for the convenience of the inmates of the house, a papal indult must be obtained, and such indults are only granted for sufficient reasons, e.g. distance from a church, permanent ill-health of a member of the household, etc. With regard to the fulfilment of the obligation of hearing Mass in such private oratories, the ancient law of the Church was that the obligation could only be satisfied by attendance at the parish church. The Council of Trent somewhat modified this rule and since then theologians have differed as to what was the exact law. To settle the matter, Leo XIII, in 1899 (S. R. C. no. 4007), decided that;

1. the obligation can be satisfied by any one in all public or semi-public chapels to which the faithful have access; but
2. it cannot ordinarily be satisfied in a strictly private chapel by any persons other than those for whose convenience the chapel exists.

This rule, in practice, is capable of a somewhat wide interpretation, and the indult by which the permission for the chapel is granted usually extends the privilege to various other persons, e.g. relations, guests, servants, etc. All places of worship in England belonging to Catholics, like those of other religious bodies outside the Established Church, were formerly termed “chapels.”

But I have been unable to find any information specifically addressing a private reservation chapel in a private home, not intended for saying mass. (I have read about priests and royals having such chapels historically.)

Any thoughts?

 

[John_Higgins]

This is from the current Code of Canon Law:

CHAPTER II : ORATORIES AND PRIVATE CHAPELS

Can. 1223 An oratory means a place which, by permission of the Ordinary, is set aside for divine worship, for the convenience of some community or group of the faithful who assemble there, to which however other members of the faithful may, with the consent of the competent Superior, have access.

Can. 1224 ß1 The Ordinary is not to give the permission required for setting up an oratory unless he has first, personally or through another, inspected the place destined for the oratory and found it to be becomingly arranged.

ß2 Once this permission has been given, the oratory cannot be converted to a secular usage without the authority of the same Ordinary.

Can. 1225 All sacred services may be celebrated in a lawfully constituted oratory, apart from those which are excluded by the law, by a provision of the local Ordinary, or by liturgical laws.

Can. 1226 The term private chapel means a place which, by permission of the local Ordinary, is set aside for divine worship, for the convenience of one or more individuals.

Can. 1227 Bishops can set up for their own use a private chapel which enjoys the same rights as an oratory.

Can. 1228 Without prejudice to the provision of Can. 1227, the permission of the local Ordinary is required for the celebration of Mass and of other sacred functions in any private chapel.

Can. 1229 It is appropriate that oratories and private chapels be blessed according to the rite prescribed in the liturgical books. They must, however, be reserved for divine worship only and be freed from all domestic use.

BTW, be careful with the Catholic Encyclopedia. It is 99 years old and much has changed since then.

John

 

[Hesychios]

My opinion only…Apply to the bishop, but do not be surprised if you are turned down.

Eucharistic Adoration is ideally a communal practice, as the Holy Eucharist itself is intended to be a communal celebration of Thanks giving and Worship. When you are given communion at the parish (or wherever) you are supposed to consume it, not carry it home in a pyx.

Special provisions would have to be made for ‘special delivery’ of a consecrated host (probably with some minimal but necessary ritual due to the dignity of the item), and it’s later disposal will always be a matter of question, e.g.: you may not commune yourself, and if you keep it indefinitely the accidents will probably degrade. If you never remove it, what will your heirs do when you have gone?

Eucharistic Adoration was a late introduction into Roman Catholic practice as a counter and preventative to doubts about the Real Presence arising in those days, it is in no way an Apostolic practice. Adoration in local parishes suits the purpose quite well, and I doubt any bishop would want the Sacred Species out of the direct control of the clergy.

Try an icon instead!

 

[Joannm]

Our parish priests don’t even have permission to have the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the house, they come over to the church for prayer and adoration. However the sisters do have permission to have it reserved in their chapel. I think it i very rare to have it reserved in a private home and under very strict conditions.

 

[universalindult]

Try an icon instead!

Looks like icons and relics will be our best options.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Melanie01]

The other option is to apply for a retired priest and provide bed and board in exchange for Mass…

I know of a family who has done this…I have no idea of how it was done. They are country folk with an enormous family, dad built a chapel and renovated an old building as a lodge for the retired priest…all his own facilities…but I believe he eats with the family but retires to his place when the littlies wear him out…

The Sacrament is reserved…I saw the document relevant for this…they also live out of town quite a ways so that may have been leveredge in their application.