Exposition Dilemma

[StatCrux]

Currently there is no Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament offered where I attend Mass. Without getting into the details, the practice was ended a few years ago. Currently it is only done irregularly and is poorly advertised. I would really like to have weekly Exposition and would be willing to organize it, but I have come across a slight personal problem and was wondering if some people could offer some advice.

Basically, I want to present a plan for weekly adoration that would be easiest for the priest to say “yes” (i.e. you don’t have to do any added work). Our priests are quite busy so I think this would be the best approach.

In order for me to be able to remove the Blessed Sacrament from the tabernacle, place it in the monstrance, and place it on the altar for adoration, I must either be an instituted acolyte or an EMHC (“Eucharistiae Sacramentum” (1973) of the Congregation for Divine Worship, Nos. 91-92).

The problem is this: I do not want to be an EMHC.

I personally receive on the tongue and simply don’t want to touch the sacred species with my hands. I know that the Sacrament is housed in a luna so placing it in the monstrance wouldn’t be a problem, but I would not want to serve as a EMHC during Mass.

Any way to proceed while having the best of both worlds? Would it be acceptable to ask the priest to be an EMHC (but not function as one during the Mass)? I have a feeling he would not like that at all. I am conflicted because I think Adoration is so important and this would be such a wonderful thing for the whole community to have back. Simultaneously, I have mixed feelings about touching the sacred species and the EMHC army that marches up to the altar during the Agnus Dei.

Thanks for the advice,

SC

 

[Joannm]

Perhaps you can ask some of your parish EMHCs to assist with this.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I know that the Sacrament is housed in a luna so placing it in the monstrance wouldn’t be a problem, but I would not want to serve as a EMHC during Mass.

Someone has to put it in the luna, you know. I believe that would be the person preparing it for exposition.

Any way to proceed while having the best of both worlds? Would it be acceptable to ask the priest to be an EMHC (but not function as one during the Mass)? I have a feeling he would not like that at all. I am conflicted because I think Adoration is so important and this would be such a wonderful thing for the whole community to have back. Simultaneously, I have mixed feelings about touching the sacred species and the EMHC army that marches up to the altar during the Agnus Dei.

Two comments. First, you don’t know whether the priest would have a problem with your idea without asking him. So ask. If he says no, then the situation isn’t any different than it is now.

But the other thing that strikes me is that you want someone else to do what you yourself are unwilling to do. Either it is OK for laypeople to touch the sacred host or it isn’t. If it IS OK, then why not do it yourself? If it ISN’T OK, then why do you want to encourage someone else to do it?

By the way, I commend you for working on finding a way to get what you want without making more work for the priest. I have found that lots of people have ideas, but if it means more work for someone who is already busy it doesn’t matter how good the idea is.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

Your biggest problem will be guaranteeing that people are there at all times the Exposition is going on.

How do you think you will be able to do that?

It is not enough to get people to sign up but one has to ensure the Sacrament is never left alone during the Exposition times.

 

[Brendan]

The problem is this: I do not want to be an EMHC.

Commissionign as an EMHC is not an ‘all or nothing’ affair. You can be commissioned to expose and repose the Blessed Sacrament. If so, that is the extent of your commission.

 

[StatCrux]

Someone has to put it in the luna, you know. I believe that would be the person preparing it for exposition.

The reserved hosts are in the tabernacle along with another reserved host in the luna. The only person who has the keys to the tabernacle is the priest. Only he opens the tabernacle. Since no one else has access to the tabernacle, I feel it’s safe to assume he sets up the luna.

But the other thing that strikes me is that you want someone else to do what you yourself are unwilling to do. Either it is OK for laypeople to touch the sacred host or it isn’t. If it IS OK, then why not do it yourself? If it ISN’T OK, then why do you want to encourage someone else to do it?is.

Clarification: I do not want another lay person to do the work that I will not do. The priest previously set up the luna (not a layperson). Frankly, if it comes down to either a layperson touches the host or no exposition occurs, I’ll be fine to do it.

Not to derail the thread but… As to whether or not I believe it’s OK or not to touch the sacred host- it’s not so cut and dry. I don’t think its OK to unnecessarily touch the host. However, I don’t think its objectively a grave sin to touch the host either (provided you’re not touching it for some sacrilegious reason). In this particular situation, I don’t see a reason why I (or another layperson) would need to touch the host. That’s all.

Also, it would not be a 24 hour exposition. Probably only 1-2 so finding people wouldn’t be a problem.

-SC

 

[StatCrux]

Commissionign as an EMHC is not an ‘all or nothing’ affair. You can be commissioned to expose and repose the Blessed Sacrament. If so, that is the extent of your commission.

This looks like a pretty good solution. I’ll talk to the priest about it.

 

[puzzleannie]

In order for me to be able to remove the Blessed Sacrament from the tabernacle, place it in the monstrance, and place it on the altar for adoration, I must either be an instituted acolyte or an EMHC (“Eucharistiae Sacramentum” (1973) of the Congregation for Divine Worship, Nos. 91-92).

The problem is this: I do not want to be an EMHC.

ISC

you can be trained as an EMHC and ask not to be placed on the roster for serving at Mass if you, quite rightly IMO, object to so doing. For instance, someone who wishes to take communion to a sick relative and to others residing in the same nursing home could be trained and commissioned for that service only, as you could for the service you envision. You actually would not be touching the sacred host, as the priest usually has already placed it in the glass case (I forgot the name, senior moment), and you need only put the case in the monstrance.

 

[NoPlaceLikeRome]

I would, as Suscipe suggested, first ask the priest whether he or any of the other priests at your parish would be willing to expose and repose the Sacrament. We have the same set-up that you mentioned as possible, where laypeople expose and repose the Sacrament, and it really bothers me… it seems like a slippery-slope situation, and that the Sacrament should be treated with due honor–when laymen do it, one does not sing hymns or use incense, etc., and it just seems odd. So, I would ask the priest to help.

But like you said it seems a good plan to set up as much as you can. For example, if you have friends in your parish, I would get someone to agree to take each hour, as a preliminary Adorer, so that you can get started quickly. Perhaps you could also print some booklets with prayers suitable for Adoration–the Divine Praises, Pangue Lingua, prayers for priests, etc.

I’m not sure what else would be involved. Good luck! Your desire to promote Adoration is very laudable. I only encourage you not to do anything you feel uneasy about, in terms of touching the Blessed Sacrament.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

You should look into any and all options open to you for both simple and more elaborate processes in doing this.

I have been to healing services that included exposition of the Blessed Sacrament - no incense involved at any point!

To start you probably should keep things simple and flexible (in case a priest is not available last minute for either exposition or repose you are not ‘stuck’).

 

[turtleoompa]

We rarely have adoration. Once a year at best. All of a sudden we are to have adoration once a month. Our Deacon told us the request comes straight from the Vatican for all parishes to do so once a month starting now!

 

[Eilish_Maura]

Why not start with a group regularly spending time in prayer before tabernacle and once that is in place move to exposition of the Blessed Sacrament?

 

[paperwight]

We have Exposition every Wednesday, all day, and following an appeal there is a rota of people who have promised to stay for half an hour slots.
But what I don’t understand is - the Blessed Sacrament is the same, whether in the tabernacle or exposed. Why aren’t people prepared to come to adore while He is in the tabernacle? Why the need to see the monstrance, when surely the whole point is that He is not visible in the Host? (‘Sight, touch and taste in Thee are each deceived’)
We even had parishioners agitating for spotlights to be trained on the monstrance ‘as otherwise they couldn’t see anything’.

 

[Joannm]

I actually prefer to sit in front of the tabernacle in our church. When we have exposition it is in our small chapel. The lights are harsh and we sit so close together. I am often distracted by people praying in audible whispers or turning pages. I often journal while I am there and am so aware of disturbing people with my writing and turning pages. Also when a new person comes in the door bangs.

In the church it is dimly lit, I am usually the only one in there. There is no noise and no distractions. Jesus is the same whether I see him or not.