Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Laity in the Sanctuary who aren't EMsHC; the Gospel

[wyndysascha]

Lately, I’ve been revising how my parish conducts Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. I first looked into the role of laity in exposing and reposing - thankfully, there’s plenty of material on this online!

I do have two questions outstanding though - in the absence of an ordinary minister:

1. while the Blessed Sacrament is exposed (in the monstrance, on the altar), should laity who aren’t Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion enter the Sanctuary? Our ambo is on the Sanctuary and, if laity who aren’t EMsHC can’t enter the Sanctuary, they can’t read readings from the ambo. Would it be more appropriate to set up a mic off the Sanctuary? In fact, should any lay member be reading from the ambo during Exposition? (Like many churches, we have no instituted Lector and so rely on “readers” during all liturgy)
2. if our readings contain extracts from the Gospels, should any lay member be reading these from the ambo (or mic)? Of course, during Holy Mass, only a minister of the Church can proclaim the Gospel. Does this same condition apply in these circumstances?

If anyone is able to give answers and source them to Church documents, I’d be extremely grateful! Thanks in advance!

 

[Gorgias]

Exactly what kind of liturgy are you holding during exposition, in the absence of a priest or deacon?

 

[wyndysascha]

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: if our priest is available at this point, in the monstrance; if not, in the ciborium; in either case, on the altar;
silence, interspersed with readings (e.g the call of Samuel if Holy Hour is for vocations);
ending with reposition and something like the tantum ergo.

Essentially, something simple and not terribly ceremonial.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I’m not aware of any prohibition on laity entering the sanctuary during Exposition. A chapel I attend regularly has a holy hour prayer service during Exposition. During this time the Blessed Sacrament stays out in the monstrance and various lay people go up to the ambo and offer teachings and reflections as part of the prayer service. I note that it is not a liturgy, just a holy hour prayer service. The lay people also make announcements about upcoming prayer-related activities that the prayer group is doing, such as retreats, gatherings at other churches, etc.
This has been going on every week for years.

I’ve also seen lay ministers entering the sanctuary during Adoration and Exposition in order to access the tabernacle, which is located behind the altar on which the monstrance sits, in their regular duties. And I’ve seen other lay people entering the sanctuary during Exposition to do something as simple as adjust some lighting with the switches that are there.

 

[paperwight]

In our parish an EMHC both exposes and returns the Blessed Sacrament at the hour we have for Exposition every week.

When it was first introduced, there were enough priests around in the house to do this, now there aren’t.

If the parish wanted Exposition, it was the only solution.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

In our parish an EMHC both exposes and returns the Blessed Sacrament at the hour we have for Exposition every week.

I have also frequently seen an EMHC returning the Blessed Sacrament to the tabernacle at several places. Usually the Exposition begins right after a morning Mass, so there is a priest around to expose it, but not always to return it at the end of the day/ night.

 

[paperwight]

paperwight:

In our parish an EMHC both exposes and returns the Blessed Sacrament at the hour we have for Exposition every week.

I have also frequently seen an EMHC returning the Blessed Sacrament to the tabernacle at several places. Usually the Exposition begins right after a morning Mass, so there is a priest around to expose it, but not always to return it at the end of the day/ night.

The point is OP, EMHCs, although trained and commissioned, are still laity.

 

[Gorgias]

silence, interspersed with readings (e.g the call of Samuel if Holy Hour is for vocations);
ending with reposition and something like the tantum ergo .

Essentially, something simple and not terribly ceremonial.

OK. The document you’re looking for is the “Order for the Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist”. In its introduction, it states a few things that are relevant to your questions:

15 During the exposition there should be prayers, songs, and readings to direct the attention of the faithful to the worship of Christ the Lord.

To encourage a prayerful spirit, there should be readings from Scripture with a homily or brief exhortations to develop a better understanding of the eucharistic mystery. It is also desirable for the people to respond to the word of God by singing and to spend some periods of time in religious silence.

So, readings are fine, but… since they mention “homily”, it seems to me that they’re thinking that this is something led by a deacon or priest. I would recommend that you contact your diocese’s worship office and ask their advice how to proceed.

16 Part of the liturgy of the hours, especially the principal hours, may be celebrated before the blessed sacrament when there is a lengthy period of exposition.

Perhaps you might consider celebrating Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer (or parts thereof) in the context of adoration.

 

[wyndysascha]

Perhaps you might consider celebrating Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer (or parts thereof) in the context of adoration.

This was my thinking too - it would exclude the second issue I had (re the Gospel) as there are no Gospel readings in the Hours (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours n144, notwithstanding n73). The guidance I have, issued by the Bishops of England and Wales and based on Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass, suggests this as an alternative structure.

It would also address my first issue, as the Hours are prayed from the nave in my church - no need then for anyone to enter the sanctuary save for the Extraordinary Ministers when exposing or reposing.

Thanks so much for your help!