Benediction/Adoration question

[decn2b]

At our church we are doing stations and benediction/adoration following, We have no cantor, here is the situation.

exactly at what moment am I (since no one else will do it) supposed to start singing O salutoris hostia?

1)When the deacon/priest goes to get the eucharist from the Tabern
2)when He places it in the Luna
3)when he prepares the incense
4)when he kneels.?
5)Or should I just let the Deacon/priest start it?

With the exception of the last few years during lent most our small parish has not celbrated Benediction and adoration for over 35 years. this coupled with the fact that quite a few of us (active members) are less than VII age (around 40 years old) we are enamored with the whole idea but we do of course want to do it right. To be honest with you I absolutely love stations of the cross with benediciton/adoration (this is why I want to get it right)

 

[jbuck919]

For years I played for Monday night Novena with the Benediction. But that was 35 years ago (I was a precocious organist). Bless me if I can remember. I do remember that Novena had two hymns that were perfectly awful (Mother Dearest and Mother Dear,Oh Pray for Me). O Salutaris and Tantum Ergo are great hymns absolutely or in comparison. I can remember a very young priest initiating me into the difference between a masculine and feminine ending in a verse/response in the vernacular when they are being sung (You have given them bread from heaven/Containing in itself all delight) but I can’t remember the order of the service to save my life.

 

[puzzleannie]

most missalettes have the procedure, look in the back after all the hymns.

1. As the priest/deacon removes the Blessed Sacrament from the Tabernacle and places it in the monstrance, congregation kneels and sings O Salutaris Hostia (cantor and musicians can stand if necessary, but this is beautiful a capella).
2. Blessed Sacrament is placed on the altar a period of silent adoration begins. those who are not able to continue kneeling may sit if necessary. Anyone who enters the church during this time should genuflect (we used to go down on both knees while the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, but we have been told only genuflection is necessary now).
3. During the time, usually an hour, of exposition a suitable hymn may be sung, or suitable scripture reading and prayer. Liturgy of the Hours is especially appropriate. Also a brief homily or reflection may be given. These should be a punctuation to the general tone of silent adoration, not the main part of the hour.
4. Benediction. (only a priest or deacon may do this)
5. As the Blessed Sacrament is reposed, congregation sings Tantum Ergo (kneel during reposition).
6. The Divine Praises.
7. There is no recessional but you can close with Holy God We Praise Thy Name. (try to sing at least verse 1 & 4)

4-5-6 are sometimes “mixed up” a bit, but I think that is the discretion of the presider. Sometimes the Divine Praises are recited before reposition. Also, check the missalette for procedure on Holy Thursday which is a bit different.

 

[decn2b]

sounds about right. This is nearly what we do. However when stations of the cross is done prior to Benediction and adoration Exposition only lasts for a few moments…the deacon/priest gives the homily/reading and then we move to reposing the Blessed Sacrament. This whole devotion lasts approximately 1 hour from start to finish. (remember stations is done with this). SInce it starts at 7 P.M. on Friday evenings adoration is short. The reason we start a 7 PM is because the K of C Fish Fry is immediately preceding it. The later start allows for those who commit to the fish fry time to attend. Thank you for your response. Also small town no cantor 35 years of modernism in this diocese has led to a funny sounding O salutoris but at least we try. However the Tantum Ego sounds really really good.

 

[John_Lilburne]

The liturgical book is flexible about when there is singing. It has:

“93. After the people have assembled, a song may be sung while the minister comes to the altar. …”.

“95. During the exposition there should be prayers, songs, and readings to direct the attention of the faithful to the worship of Christ the Lord. … It is also desirable for the people to respond to the word of God by singing and to spend some periods of time in religious silence. …”

“97. Toward the end of the exposition the priest or deacon goes to the altar, genuflects, and kneels. Then a hymn or other eucharistic song is sung. Meanwhile the minister, while kneeling, incenses the sacrament if the exposition has taken place with the monstrance.”

“100. After the blessing the priest or deacon who gave the blessing, or another priest or deacon, replaces the blessed sacrament in the tabernacle and genuflects. Meanwhile the people may sing or say an acclamation, and the minister then leaves.”

So the only time when singing is required is toward the end of the exposition, after the priest kneels.

Reference: Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass, E.J. Dwyer, Sydney, 1975, ISBN 0-85574-401-4, pages 68-72.