Eucharistic Adoration in Oratory

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Dear to Whom it May Concern:

I’m running into a bit of a road block in trying to offer Eucharistic Adoration & Exposition within our Oratory chapel. You see, a group of young men and an evangelization organization, Catholic Young Adult Sports, inherited a convent (err. former convent, turned retreat center, turned elderly housing, turned young adult housing). I have messages into the Canon Lawyer for the Diocese, however no response as of yet (I’m sure that he is busy).

What we are trying to do, is offer perpetual adoration within the oratory, however, there are house members whom do not approve. Some are attempting to abide by canon laws of 1917, others accepting 1981 JPII edition.

Some questions:

I’ve heard that exposition tabernacles are a viable option for offering perpetual adoration where there may not be enough adorers (our tabernacle is ancient, and while the ark of the covenant, or Mary, are far more ancient and the best tabernacles of all, modernity aside, we believe we’re overdue for an upgrade).

I think all of this is really up to the canon lawyer for the archdiocese as there are extraneous instances (such as in mission territory) where the eucharist may be offered through different means (i.e. extraordinary ministers of holy communion through communion services).

What advice might people have concerning this? Definitely submission to obedience, working through the proper channels within the hierarchy of the Church, and obedience.

Thanks!
 
“A group of young men”? What is their authority for determining the end use of the Oratory? Is there a pastor, superior, or other ordained clergy with decision-making capability? As well, is there sufficient interest to offer perpetual adoration?

I think it is a beautiful and wonderful idea, but the foundation must first be laid. As well, perseverance through opposition is the mark of a saint.
 
It sounds like this is a housing estate of sorts now? Where people live? And not a consecrated chapel anymore?
 
The priest of the parish lives just next door. He obtained permission from the Bishop for the Eucharist to be housed in the Sister’s past chapel. One of the house members, who ascribes to a traditional viewpoint, personally has hidden the location of the tabernacle key (although he is not necessarily the designee of the house intended to hold it). His viewpoints are in dissent to the Novus Ordo priest surrounding liturgical requirements.

Regarding the purpose of the exposition tabernacle is to provide the option for perpetual adoration regardless in locations where adorers may appreciate this opportunity, however it just might not be possible based on the extent of Catholic population. There is interest, of course, just not interest enough to fill the 336 adoration time slots a week.
 
People live there yes, and yes, it is still a consecrated chapel (the blessed sacrament is permanently installed there). It is a “formation house” for men considering priesthood, lay leadership, marriage, as well as those who may be in transition from a seminary.
 
Oh, Father will have to take charge and move this foreward. Submission to, and obedience to authority are hallmarks of the faith. It sounds as if someone assumes they have a better idea.

A formation house is particularly where Eucharistic Adoration will be beneficial!

Pray first and then persevere. It took our Lord three years to finish His task, and He is God!
 
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At this point, there is a priest who lives next door and the director of young adult ministry. However, there is no clearly defined formator. It seems that the house might be in need of something like this though, yes. I am going to look into this particular item a bit. Thanks for that.
 
1983 code of canon law superseded the 1918 code, therefore the 1983 code is binding, not the 1918 code of canon law.

THE RESERVATION AND VENERATION OF THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST Cann 934-944

Information you may already be aware of but will post links anyway as may be of help to others reading this thread:-

Perpetual Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament down the bottom of this document it mentions another document titled " Volume 11 of the Liturgy Documentary Series: Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist " which is found here Solemn exposition of the Holy Eucharist 1996

Catholic Encyclopedia scroll down to the section titled Conditions regulating exposition.

Exposition in a monstrance/ exposition in a veiled ciborium.
Adoration of Jesus present in the blessed sacrament in the locked Tabernacle.

I would think it would be up to your Bishop to decide whether in your circumstances it would be permitted.
 
The Blessed Sacrament is in the Tabernacle and one of the men living there has hidden the key? This sounds very questionable. How often are the Hosts consumed and replaced? Why are the Hosts being reserved at this time? Does the priest offer mass on a regular basis in the oratory? Is the priest next door currently designated as the cleric in charge of the oratory?
 
Yes, the priest offers Mass monthly in accord with Canon law. There are three people that can be designated in accord with Canon Law;
  1. Priest
  2. Deacon
  3. Special Designee
In this instance, we have a bit of a combination of #1 & #3 going on.

I have also thought, “the key should be in the sole possession of the designee if this has been allowed by the bishop, and ideally, should remain in the possession of the priest.”
 
That makes me feel much better. I was getting the impression things were more than a little out of whack. Still, the key to the Tabernacle needs to be in control of the priest. Having it hidden by one member is not good at all. What was his reasoning?
 
My thoughts is “a desire to protect Jesus from the untrustworthy.” But I fear it’s turned into a bit of, “to keep Jesus to myself.” Hence, certain members within the household are not particularly keen on inviting members of the community into the monthly sacred liturgy, but instead, making it a “house thing”.
 
Am in the US, that was a Vatican document I sent over, just from a UK website (noticed after the fact :D!) haha! Woops.

Thanks for the other, I was looking for that but couldn’t find it.
 
From my reading of Canon law, I believe that this line of reasoning is Juxdisposed from what the Mass actually is (but I’m open to being wrong on this view).
 
Masses said for any particular group are fine, but in general they should always be open to anyone who desires to attend. Closing a mass off to others, in my mind, shows a lack of understanding of what a mass is all about.
 
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