Eucharist Exposition

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Barry_Craig

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Our church has daily (24x7) perpetual adoration. The Eucharist is exposed, however, several hours during every day there is nobody in the chapel during exposition. Our pastor indicates that this is perfectly permissible

Can (should) the Eucharist be exposed with nobody present? What is the Church position on this? Is it my responsibility to escalate this issue, and to whom?

Thank you
 
I believe, although I’m not completely certain, that someone must always be present when our Eucharistic Lord is exposed. I remember very clearly parishes I have been in that have instituted perpetual adoration and they were absolutely uneqivocable about the need to have someone present at all times. We were actually instructed how to properly return the host to the tabernacle if for some reason we needed to leave and no one else was there.

I think that bringing this to the Bishop’s attention would be a very good idea. You might consider asking the general question first, without reference to your parish or what your pastor said, and then follow up with your concerns if the Bishop contradicts what your parish is doing.

Peace,
javelin
 
I agree with Javelin, at our parish we’re instructed not to leave the Eucharist exposed and unattended. There are even instructions on what to do if the next adorer does not arrive when it’s your time to leave.
 
No, it is not permitted, the potential for abuse alone is enough reason, but exposition for perpetual adoration is a privilege granted by the bishop, not a right, and there are conditions that must be met. One of these is to insure that the sacrament is not left unattended during exposition. If your parish has not built up enough support for perpetual adoration, then you are not ready to enjoy this privilege. I suggest your team go back and discuss it with your team and re-evaluate.
 
Here’s the official word from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments:
**May perpetual exposition take place twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year? **
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RESPONSE: Groups authorized to have perpetual exposition are bound to follow all the liturgical norms given in Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass [HCWEOM], nos. 82-100. Under no circumstances may perpetual exposition take place during the Easter Triduum. There should always be a sufficient number of people present for eucharistic adoration before the Blessed Sacrament exposed (see HCWEOM, no. 88). Every effort should be made to ensure that there should be at least two people present. There must absolutely never be periods when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed and there is no one present for adoration. It may prove necessary to expose the Blessed Sacrament for adoration only at stated times when members of the faithful are present.
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This was reiterated by the same Congregation in Redemptionionis Sacramentum:
  1. Still, the Most Holy Sacrament, when exposed, must never be left unattended even for the briefest space of time. It should therefore be arranged that at least some of the faithful always be present at fixed times, even if they take alternating turns.
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So there needs to be at least two people present. Show both of these quotes to your pastor. If he continues to do nothing, you might want to try contacting your bishop.
 
Thank you for your responses, my understanding is confirmed. Time to correct the situation. Blessings to all.
 
FYI. Somebody of authority at my church explained to me today that our pastor is exercising “pastoral privilege” which makes it permissible to leave the Body of Christ exposed, and unattended.
 
Ask him for documentation showing where Church law gives pastors this particular privilege.

If you don’t get any, then show this info to the priest himself, or contact his bishop.
 
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