Well stated. I have experienced the same.Redemptionis Sacramentum addresses this in chapter VI, section 2, item 138:…] 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.
When I walk into an Adoration chapel and find it empty save for the exposed Blessed Sacrament, I stay until someone else appears even if it means I’m there much longer than I intended to be. I realize not everyone can do this, and there are times when I can’t either. How I handle the matter when that’s the case depends upon which Adoration chapel I’m in and what time of the day (or night) it is.
After the fact, I bring it to the attention of whoever was responsible for the chapel and/or Adoration just to let them know, and then leave it at that. It might have been a freak occurrence, or it might be a recurring problem that needs to be addressed. Either way, once reported the situation is in the hands of the person(s) capable of taking whatever action is necessary.
Lest anyone get the impression this happens to me all the time, please note that I have seen this situation maybe three times in fifteen years. YMMV.
God bless
Things happen even in the best of situations. It is not unheard of that even when you have two people scheduled for a certain hour that one or both do not show up for one reason or another. The plan is to get a substitute when you know that you can’t be there. Sometimes things come up at the last minute so there could be an assumption that another person will be there.I’ve never heard of such a thing. At our parish, we have at least 2 parishioners to be sure the Holy Eucharist is properly adored and attended. Wonder why they did that?
The responsibility for this doesn’t lie with a lay person. The responsibility lies with the parish priest. He may allow others to act on his behalf, but it is his responsibility. He needs to know about this.
I have also been there. Since there are nuns on the premises, I am certain that someone is there at all times.
With all due respect the priest/pastor has assigned a responsible person to be in charge of the adoration schedule. It is a big job and things happen. As other posters said, the person in charge of the adoration schedule needs to know. It could be that the folks just need a reminder about who to call/what to do if they have to leave/miss an hour/ etc. Most adorers are good, pious people and would very much want to do the right thing for our Lord.
Regardless of that, the responsibilty still lies with the Parish Priest. Leaving the exposed Eucharist alone is a serious matter, the parish priest needs to know. The parish priest may appoint someone to help arrange adoration, but he cannot pass on the responsibility for it. The parish priest should be told about it as it is his responsibility and he ought to know.
The pastor is responsible for safe-guarding the Blessed Sacrament. This is a major part of his vocation as a priest. General speaking, as evidenced by the posts on this thread, lay people don’t fully comprehend the sacredness of it and that it is NEVER EVER supposed to be left, not just unattended, but not watched/guarded. In other words, if someone is sleeping in the Adoration Chapel (I was once instructed by the woman in charge of the committed adorers to leave the Blessed Sacrament alone with a sleeping homeless person in the 24 Chapel when the person after me (who had 4 hours scheduled in the middle of the night) didn’t show up.
This didn’t suffice because she wasn’t actually guarding/keeping watch. I called one of the priests and he came and closed the Tabernacle and locked it (lay people aren’t allowed to open or close the Tabernacle).But perhaps the cause of the absence is a new born baby.
