Can one bring home the Eucharist for private adoration?

[andy314]

I know that one can bring home the Eucharist if needed for someone home bound, sick, or unable to attend Mass, but I was curious if it was allowed for one to bring the Eucharist home in a pyx simply for private adoration at home. There are religious communities that have “Blessed Sacrament prayer rooms” with a tabernacle with the Host. Could not one have one in a private home?

Anyone know?

 

[Phemie]

No, you can’t bring the Eucharist home for private adoration.

 

[benedictgal]

I know that one can bring home the Eucharist if needed for someone home bound, sick, or unable to attend Mass, but I was curious if it was allowed for one to bring the Eucharist home in a pyx simply for private adoration at home. There are religious communities that have “Blessed Sacrament prayer rooms” with a tabernacle with the Host. Could not one have one in a private home?

Anyone know?

This is experessly forbidden and, even though one would have the best of intentions, it would be a greivous abuse.

Please read this section of Redemptionis Sacramentum, the document of the Church related to liturgical abuse:

130.] “According to the structure of each church building and in accordance with legitimate local customs, the Most Holy Sacrament is to be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is noble, prominent, readily visible, and adorned in a dignified manner” and furthermore “suitable for prayer” by reason of the quietness of the location, the space available in front of the tabernacle, and also the supply of benches or seats and kneelers.221 In addition, diligent attention should be paid to all the prescriptions of the liturgical books and to the norm of law,222 especially as regards the avoidance of the danger of profanation.223

[131.] Apart from the prescriptions of Canon 934 § 1, it is forbidden to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in a place that is not subject in a secure way to the authority of the diocesan Bishop, or where there is a danger of profanation. Where such is the case, the diocesan Bishop should immediately revoke any permission for reservation of the Eucharist that may already have been granted.224

[132.] ***No one may carry the Most Holy Eucharist to his or her home, or to any other place contrary to the norm of law. ***It should also be borne in mind that removing or retaining the consecrated species for a sacrilegious purpose or casting them away are graviora delicta, the absolution of which is reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.225

I hope this helps you.

 

[andy314]

I know that one can bring home the Eucharist if needed for someone home bound, sick, or unable to attend Mass, but I was curious if it was allowed for one to bring the Eucharist home in a pyx simply for private adoration at home. There are religious communities that have “Blessed Sacrament prayer rooms” with a tabernacle with the Host. Could not one have one in a private home?

Anyone know?

 

[dizzy_dave]

I had wondered this in the past but had heard we are not permitted to do so. I don’t recall why anymore but I was interested in doing do in the past before I got my answer. So now I just go to the Church for Adoration.

 

[benedictgal]

The answer is no. I believe that you posted this in another thread. In case one gets deleted, here is the answer from Redemptionis Sacramentum, the document of the Holy See that treats liturgical abuses:

130.] “According to the structure of each church building and in accordance with legitimate local customs, the Most Holy Sacrament is to be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is noble, prominent, readily visible, and adorned in a dignified manner” and furthermore “suitable for prayer” by reason of the quietness of the location, the space available in front of the tabernacle, and also the supply of benches or seats and kneelers.221 In addition, diligent attention should be paid to all the prescriptions of the liturgical books and to the norm of law,222 especially as regards the avoidance of the danger of profanation.223

[131.] Apart from the prescriptions of Canon 934 § 1, it is forbidden to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in a place that is not subject in a secure way to the authority of the diocesan Bishop, or where there is a danger of profanation. Where such is the case, the diocesan Bishop should immediately revoke any permission for reservation of the Eucharist that may already have been granted.224

[132.] ***No one may carry the Most Holy Eucharist to his or her home, or to any other place contrary to the norm of law. ***It should also be borne in mind that removing or retaining the consecrated species for a sacrilegious purpose or casting them away are graviora delicta, the absolution of which is reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.225

If one has a Sacred Host left from taking Holy Communion to the sick, the EMHC should either consume the Body of Christ or take the remaning Sacred Host back to the Church for immediate placement back in the Tabernacle.

 

[m134e5]

I know that one can bring home the Eucharist if needed for someone home bound, sick, or unable to attend Mass, but I was curious if it was allowed for one to bring the Eucharist home in a pyx simply for private adoration at home. There are religious communities that have “Blessed Sacrament prayer rooms” with a tabernacle with the Host. Could not one have one in a private home?

Anyone know?

There are some homes with private chapels. I imagine this was once pretty common among European aristocrats who wanted to go to Mass, but didn’t want to be around other people during it. Now, it isn’t as common anymore- although I am sure there are some very wealthy people in this country with private chapels, as well as retired priests, and priests who for whatever reason do not live in the rectory of the parish they are assigned to.

You have to have permission of the local Bishop to reserve the Blessed Sacrament somewhere. I’m sure if a private home was secure enough, and whoever lived in the home was a faithful Catholic who couldn’t go to a public church (perhaps for security reasons, or if the person living there was a retired priest- especially one who could no longer celebrate Mass publicly), the bishop would probably allow this. You CANNOT do this without permission though.

 

[benedictgal]

There are some homes with private chapels. I imagine this was once pretty common among European aristocrats who wanted to go to Mass, but didn’t want to be around other people during it. Now, it isn’t as common anymore- although I am sure there are some very wealthy people in this country with private chapels, as well as retired priests, and priests who for whatever reason do not live in the rectory of the parish they are assigned to.

You have to have permission of the local Bishop to reserve the Blessed Sacrament somewhere. I’m sure if a private home was secure enough, and whoever lived in the home was a faithful Catholic who couldn’t go to a public church (perhaps for security reasons, or if the person living there was a retired priest- especially one who could no longer celebrate Mass publicly), the bishop would probably allow this. You CANNOT do this without permission though.

With all due respect, I think you might want to re-read the part of Redemptionis Sacramentum that I highlighted in Post #3 which clearly states tha:

132.] No one may carry the Most Holy Eucharist to his or her home, or to any other place contrary to the norm of law

It doesn’t say in this section that the bishop can grant permission to do this.

 

[osmond]

There are some homes with private chapels. I imagine this was once pretty common among European aristocrats who wanted to go to Mass, but didn’t want to be around other people during it. Now, it isn’t as common anymore- although I am sure there are some very wealthy people in this country with private chapels, as well as retired priests, and priests who for whatever reason do not live in the rectory of the parish they are assigned to.

You have to have permission of the local Bishop to reserve the Blessed Sacrament somewhere. I’m sure if a private home was secure enough, and whoever lived in the home was a faithful Catholic who couldn’t go to a public church (perhaps for security reasons, or if the person living there was a retired priest- especially one who could no longer celebrate Mass publicly), the bishop would probably allow this. You CANNOT do this without permission though.

 

[AJV]

With all due respect, I think you might want to re-read the part of Redemptionis Sacramentum that I highlighted in Post #3 which clearly states tha:

It doesn’t say in this section that the bishop can grant permission to do this.

I think that is something different form reservation which is permitted in private chapels according to Canon Law

Can. 934 §1. The Most Holy Eucharist:

1/ must be reserved in the cathedral church or its equivalent, in every parish church, and in a church or oratory connected to the house of a religious institute or society of apostolic life;

2/ can be reserved in the chapel of the bishop and, with the permission of the local ordinary, in other churches, oratories, and chapels.

which is also acknowledged in Redemptionis Sacramentum:

[131.] Apart from the prescriptions of canon 934 § 1, it is forbidden to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in a place that is not subject in a secure way to the authority of the diocesan Bishop, or where there is a danger of profanation. Where such is the case, the diocesan Bishop should immediately revoke any permission for reservation of the Euchari*st that may already have been granted

 

[osmond]

There are some homes with private chapels. I imagine this was once pretty common among European aristocrats who wanted to go to Mass, but didn’t want to be around other people during it. Now, it isn’t as common anymore- although I am sure there are some very wealthy people in this country with private chapels, as well as retired priests, and priests who for whatever reason do not live in the rectory of the parish they are assigned to.

You have to have permission of the local Bishop to reserve the Blessed Sacrament somewhere. I’m sure if a private home was secure enough, and whoever lived in the home was a faithful Catholic who couldn’t go to a public church (perhaps for security reasons, or if the person living there was a retired priest- especially one who could no longer celebrate Mass publicly), the bishop would probably allow this. You CANNOT do this without permission though.

You’re absolutely correct, it’s up to the local ordinary per Canon law:

*THE RESERVATION AND VENERATION OF THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST

Can. 934 §1. The Most Holy Eucharist:

2/ can be reserved in the chapel of the bishop and, with the permission of the local ordinary, in other churches, oratories, and chapels.

§2. In sacred places where the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved, there must always be someone responsible for it and, insofar as possible, a priest is to celebrate Mass there at least twice a month.

Can. 941 §1. In churches or oratories where it is permitted to reserve the Most Holy Eucharist, there can be expositions with the pyx or the monstrance; the norms prescribed in the liturgical books are to be observed.*

In my diocese, every rectory is encouraged to have its own private chapel for the priests to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament in semi-private. This is by direction of the bishop.

A retired priest in our diocese who is also a caregiver requested that he be allowed to reserve the Blessed Sacrament at his home chapel because he could rarely leave due to his care taking duties. He was granted express approval by the bishop.

In another case there is a large private chapel on a large private ranch here locally. On Sundays the ranch employees attend Mass there. I think they also have one or more communion services during the week. The bishop has granted the owner of that chapel permission as well to reverse the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle of that private chapel.

I’d bet the Kennedy Family (as just one example) has permission from their archbishop to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel of their compound in Hyannis Port.

It’s not common, but it most certainly is possible.

 

[benedictgal]

You’re absolutely correct, it’s up to the local ordinary per Canon law:

*THE RESERVATION AND VENERATION OF THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST

Can. 934 §1. The Most Holy Eucharist:

2/ can be reserved in the chapel of the bishop and, with the permission of the local ordinary, in other churches, oratories, and chapels.

§2. In sacred places where the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved, there must always be someone responsible for it and, insofar as possible, a priest is to celebrate Mass there at least twice a month.

Can. 941 §1. In churches or oratories where it is permitted to reserve the Most Holy Eucharist, there can be expositions with the pyx or the monstrance; the norms prescribed in the liturgical books are to be observed.*

In my diocese, every rectory is encouraged to have its own private chapel for the priests to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament in semi-private. This is by direction of the bishop.

A retired priest in our diocese who is also a caregiver requested that he be allowed to reserve the Blessed Sacrament at his home chapel because he could rarely leave due to his care taking duties. He was granted express approval by the bishop.

In another case there is a large private chapel on a large private ranch here locally. On Sundays the ranch employees attend Mass there. I think they also have one or more communion services during the week. The bishop has granted the owner of that chapel permission as well to reverse the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle of that private chapel.

I’d bet the Kennedy Family (as just one example) has permission from their archbishop to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel of their compound in Hyannis Port.

It’s not common, but it most certainly is possible.

However, we are talking about taking the Blessed Sacrament home for private adoration.

A long time ago, someone started a thread regarding whehter one could take the Blessed Sacrament home to do a self-communion service. The answer was “no”.

This case is almost like it with the exception that the person is not asking to self-communicate, only to adore. However, I think that we’ve not commented on the section that immediately follows the one that you and AJV quoted, namely 132 which clearly states that:

132.] No one may carry the Most Holy Eucharist to his or her home, or to any other place contrary to the norm of law.

The OP wasn’t referring to retired clergy or to a bishop having the Blessed Sacrament in their home. The OP was referring to someone (not stating religious) taking the Blessed Sacrament home for private adoration. Home, in this case, is taking to be one’s domicile and not a religious house. The canon treats that; however, RS specifically states that you just can’t take Our Lord to your private home (not a religious house or the dwelling of a priest or a bishop). Since that is the case, I believe that the restriction found in #132 would apply.

About 16 years ago, I was involved in a bad car accident that totaled my little Subaru. The nuns were kind enough to see me at the hospirtal and let me stay at the convent for a couple of days. My mother, who had was beginning to get the signs of what later turned out to be a fatal cancer, asked the nuns to help me since I was living in Austin at the time and the accident occured on my way back.

When I was able to, I went to night prayer at their little chapel in the backyard and I prayed before the Blessed Sacrament. Yes, they had a small altar for daily Mass. This is certainly a very different scenario than what the OP had in mind. In other words, even though I am an EMHC, I cannot take the Blessed Sacrament home for private adoration. My PV would have me shot and then drawn and quartered.

By the way, do we know that the Kennedy family has a chapel at Hyannis Port? I am just curious.

 

[osmond]

There are religious communities that have “Blessed Sacrament prayer rooms” with a tabernacle with the Host. Could not one have one in a private home? Anyone know?

Canon law is clear that the local ordinary has the power to grant approval for such a request. Your personal interpretation of different documents might make you reach the conclusion that canon law should not allow the practice, but it does and that’s what is important.

There’s really nothing else to say on the subject.

 

[brother_dan_mac]

I think Benedictgal is right. Besides, I adore the Eucharist often, and I would CERTAINLY NOT bring Him into my house for that purpose!

Also, Benedictgal, I like your quote from Benedict as much as mine[see signature]!

 

[benedictgal]

Canon law is clear that the local ordinary has the power to grant such approval. Your personal interpretation of different documents might make you reach the conclusion that canon law should not allow the practice, but it does and that’s what is important.

Again, you need to make the distinction betwen having the Blessed Sacrament in a religious house and a person taking it to their home. That is a big difference. You szeem to think that the bishop can grant a blanket permission, but, as RS indicates, that is not entirely the case.

What you referred to do does not state that I can take the Blessed Sacrament to my house.

Can. 934 §1. The Most Holy Eucharist:

2/ can be reserved in the chapel of the bishop and, with the permission of the local ordinary, in other churches, oratories, and chapels.

Redemptionis Sacramentum makes it crystal clear that this cannot be done:

[132.] No one may carry the Most Holy Eucharist to his or her home, or to any other place contrary to the norm of law

Are you now saying that these two are contradicting each other? They are not because they are treating two very different circumstances. I do not live in a religious community. I live with my dad and several dachshunds. It is not licit for me to take the Blessed Sacrament home, even though we would certainly be most reverent and respectful of our Lord.

Were the faithful permitted to take our Lord home for adoration, then there would be guidelines as to how to handle this. Since this is not the case, and RS makes it very clear that this is forbidden, you (unless you are a retired priest or a member of a religious congregation that lives in a house) and I cannot take our Lord home for private adoration. These statututes apply only to clergy and religious communities, not to the average layman.

 

[bpbasilphx]

**There are religious communities that have “Blessed Sacrament prayer rooms” with a tabernacle with the Host. Could not one have one in a private home?
**

**The whole purpose of Reservation is to be able to bring Communion to the sick.

Devotions to it, including Adoration, are actually side developments in the West.

Such practices are almost unknown in the Eastern Churches.

The “Blessed Sacrament Prayer rooms” to which you refer are nothing more or less than chapels of Reservation, where likewise the Mysteries are reserved for the sick.**

 

[bpbasilphx]

Why did you ask this question twice, andy?

 

[Joannm]

There needs to be special permission from the bishop, for a person or group to reserve the Eucharist in their home. It is intersting that the sisters who live in our parish have permission to reserve it in the chapel in their convent but the priest do not have permission to reserve it in the rectory chapel. The priests come to the church, like everyone else, to spend time in adoration. No one should bring the Eucharist home to keep for private adoration. While it was a practice in the ancient Church to bring the Eucharist home, that practice is no longer allowed.

 

[puzzleannie]

I know that one can bring home the Eucharist if needed for someone home bound, sick, or unable to attend Mass, but I was curious if it was allowed for one to bring the Eucharist home in a pyx simply for private adoration at home. There are religious communities that have “Blessed Sacrament prayer rooms” with a tabernacle with the Host. Could not one have one in a private home?

Anyone know?

Absolutely not, this is a grave abuse. One can have a private chapel with reservation of the Blessed Sacrament in a receptacle worthy of the purpose only with permission of the local ordinary (bishop), and only in a place that will be in regular use as an oratory (place of prayer).

In past times and places where chapels in private homes were permitted reservation this was in great castles and estates where that home was the gathering place for prayer for all residing on those lands, and even then was only with permission of the bishop, and because there was no parish priest or monastery near by. Those days are long gone.

 

[andy314]

Why did you ask this question twice, andy?

Ahh, I had clicked submit but it didn’t seem to post so I clicked submit a second time.