How may we worship the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle?

[uncle_joe]

Is there anything improper about worshiping Jesus Christ in the Blessed sacrament, even when He is behind the closed doors of the locked tabernacle? Many churches have days of special devotions to our Lord, at which times Jesus, in the form of bread, is substantially really present and displayed in a monstrance on an altar. Clearly it is intended that He be worshiped then and there.

If Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament, is not displayed in a monstrance, and there is no special devotion scheduled, and our Lord is inside the closed tabernacle, is there anything wrong with praying aloud to Him then and there, or even singing to Him then and there with hymns of praise? If such spoken prayers and hymns do not disturb other visitors who are praying or meditating, or if a person is the only one present with the Blessed Sacrament, is it OK to speak out loud to Jesus, and to sing to Him, as if He is really present in the tabernacle?

Thank you.
I am Roman Catholic.
Peace be with you.

 

[ljubim]

No, that’s the only reason that we reserve the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, so that we can go pray to Him whenever we’d like

Go for it! It’s a wonderful devotion, I’ve been doing this lately and it’s a great option for those who don’t have perpetual adoration around. From my experience, singing and/or talking out loud can sometimes distract you from prayer. All the bible verses point to God speaking through silence and whispers, so I’d go for that

 

[corsair]

I stop in quite frequently and pray to Him (in the Tabernacle). I’ll admit I get much more out of it when He is in the Monstrance and has been properly set before us with song and prayer with incense.

But I still feel very close just stopping in.

 

[surfinpure]

Nothing at all wrong with it, and it’s a worthy practice!

 

[MarkThompson]

No, that’s the only reason that we reserve the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, so that we can go pray to Him whenever we’d like

Actually, the Blessed Sacrament is reserved so that Viaticum is available to take to the sick. There used to be other reasons as well, such as taking a portion of the host consecrated by the Pope to other bishops. At any rate, adoration of the reserved Sacrament began centuries after the practice of reserving it.

 

[At_Trent]

Is there anything improper about worshiping Jesus Christ in the Blessed sacrament, even when He is behind the closed doors of the locked tabernacle? Many churches have days of special devotions to our Lord, at which times Jesus, in the form of bread, is substantially really present and displayed in a monstrance on an altar. Clearly it is intended that He be worshiped then and there.

If Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament, is not displayed in a monstrance, and there is no special devotion scheduled, and our Lord is inside the closed tabernacle, is there anything wrong with praying aloud to Him then and there, or even singing to Him then and there with hymns of praise? If such spoken prayers and hymns do not disturb other visitors who are praying or meditating, or if a person is the only one present with the Blessed Sacrament, is it OK to speak out loud to Jesus, and to sing to Him, as if He is really present in the tabernacle?

Thank you.
I am Roman Catholic.
Peace be with you.

Hi Joe, I found these Rosary meditations in an old Fr F.X. Lasance prayer book that is out of print. So far I’ve only typed the Joyous Mysteries. They are called The Eucharistic Rosary and recommended for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Eucharistic Rosary : Meditations taken from the prayer book With God
by Fr Francis Xavier Lasance , Benziger Brothers 1911

                                 The First Joyful Mystery
                                     The Annunciation

O Jesus, born of Thy Father from all eternity; filled with an incomprehensible love for men, Thou didst become man in the operation of the Holy Ghost, humbling Thyself to such a degree to take the form of a servant. The same charity hath prompted Thee to perpetuate, in the Eucharist, this mystery of annihilation and love, even improving on it by becoming the food of our souls.
Divine Jesus, we adore Thee in these unfathomable abasements, and we beg of Thee, through the intercession of Thy Holy Mother, a deep and heartfelt humility.

                             The Second Joyful Mystery
                                      The Visitation

Divine Saviour, from the womb of Mary, wherein Thou didst become incarnate, Thou breathest fourth sanctity into John the Baptist and benediction on the whole house of Elizabeth. From the Host wherein Thou dwellest, Thou spreadest all over the world the influence and grace of Thy love throughout the whole Church.
O divine Jesus, full of love and kindness, we adore Thee, and we beg of Thee, through the intercession of Thy Holy Mother, perfect charity toward our neighbors.

                           The Third Joyful Mystery
                           The Nativity of Our Lord

O King of kings ! Poor indeed, yet most lovely in the crib of Bethlehem, Thou callest the simple and the poor to be Thy first adorers: poorer and no less amiable to the eyes of the faith in the Sacrament of thy love, Thou art still delighted to see around Thy person the humble and the little.
O Jesus, in Thy destitution we adore Thee, to Whom belong all the treasures of the God- head, and we beg of Thee, through the intercession of Thy Holy Mother, detachment of the goods of this world.

                            The Forth Joyful Mystery
               The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Thou offer Thyself with perfect obedience and love to Thy Father, through the hands of the high priest, as the Victim that is to be immolated on the Cross ; every day also Thou offerest Thyself upon the alter by the hands of the priest, with the same obedience and love as our Victim always sacrificed and always living.
O sweet Victim, we adore Thee and we beg of Thee, through the intercession of Thy Holy Mother, the spirit of obedience and sacrifice.

                          The Fifth Joyful Mystery
               The Finding of Our Lord in the temple

O Jesus, Thou withdrawest and leavest Joseph and Mary in tears to do the work of Thy Father; but Thou fillest them with joy when they find Thee in the midst of the Doctors amazed at Thy knowledge and wisdom. Veiled in the Eucharist, Thou impartest there divine teachings, and Thou fillest with joy those who seek Thee with their whole heart.
O hidden God !, we adore Thee and we beg of Thee, through the intercession of Thy Holy Mother, the grace of seeking Thee with a lively and persevering faith in the Sacrament of Thy love.

 

[Joannm]

No, that’s the only reason that we reserve the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, so that we can go pray to Him whenever we’d like

The main reason for reserving the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle is to have it available for viaticum and to bring to the sick. Adoration is a secondary reason, although a very good one.

 

[puzzleannie]

If Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament, is not displayed in a monstrance, and there is no special devotion scheduled, and our Lord is inside the closed tabernacle, is there anything wrong with praying aloud to Him then and there, or even singing to Him then and there with hymns of praise? If such spoken prayers and hymns do not disturb other visitors who are praying or meditating, or if a person is the only one present with the Blessed Sacrament, is it OK to speak out loud to Jesus, and to sing to Him, as if He is really present in the tabernacle?

Thank you.
I am Roman Catholic.
Peace be with you.

yes to all of these
obviously you would not pray aloud or in any manner that disturbs others who are present.

I am disturbed by the last line

is it OK to speak out loud to Jesus, and to sing to Him, as if He is really present in the tabernacle?

you must understand that yes, any time the red light is on, Jesus is present in the tabernacle, Body Blood Soul and Divinity, whole and undivided, under the appearance of the consecrated bread reserved there for the sick and other needs of the parish. He is there to be worshipped. there is no “if”. He is not present only when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the monstrance. If we cannot believe he is present behind the closed doors of the tabernacle, how much harder will it be to believe he is present under the appearance of bread and wine?

 

[mick321]

Any person may worship God anytime, anywhere, silently or aloud, without restriction.

Never pass up an opportunity to pray aloud and alone in an otherwise empty chapel.

The tabernacle is not a prison. Christ will hear your prayers.
.

 

[uncle_joe]

THANK YOU PUZZLEANNIE!!!

I carefully wrote, then carefully proofread and adjusted my question. I am surprised that I missed such a poor choice of words. I did not mean to suggest that the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is contingent or hypothetical. Thank you, Annie, for catching that important poor choice of words.

Jesus is present, fully and truly and substantially, in the Blessed Sacrament. I meant to ask in my question if I may take that literally in every way, and if I may act in the way that would be appropriate given that I really believe what is really true, namely that when Jesus is really present he really is there in front of us, and in communion literally received into us.

I meant to ask, among other things, if I may pray and sing to Jesus with the concrete and material action appropriate to speaking and singing to someone who is right there in front of me. Given the answers thus far, I am confident that what I have done is indeed OK, even a good thing. I have wondered if I appeared odd standing there singing or praying aloud. I may appear odd still, but I think I am right to do what I have been doing. I don’t much mind appearing odd to some, so long as what I am doing actually is good and right.

Thanks to all for your clear and encouraging answers. Thanks especially to you, Annie, for improving my question.

Peace to all.

 

[corsair]

Uncle Joe,

Don’t forget to remember Puzzleannie’s remarks about respecting the presence of other folks who are praying, too. If you find yourself the only one there, then go ahead and sing and pray out loud. I do that too, but only if I’m alone in church.

Most times there are others nearby so I pray silently. Many times I find that I have extra time to spend maybe up to 3-4 hours. When that happens I can finish my Rosaries, daily prayers, Stations of the Cross, and spend lots of time listening to Him. Most times its just beautiful silence and my soul is truely at peace.

I can become really addicted to Adoration.

 

[uncle_joe]

I think any odd appearance has been only when I’ve been alone with our Lord, singing robustly, and another person enters the church. I just fade out softly, basically stopping in the middle of a hymn. I presume, and I think rightly, that others who enter have come with silence expected. I don’t sing in church unless I’m alone, or with a whole group singing hymns.

 

[ProVobis]

The Tabernacle is actually a reduction of the Holy of Holies and in the Old Testament only the high priest was permitted to enter and only once a year. God gave pages of instructions on how He wanted the Holy of Holies constructed in Exodus, including have two Cherubims on either side. Not all Tabernacles have these nor other decorations as in Exodus, though.

 

[ConservativeOne]

1. Our Lord is present at the altar - whether the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in a monstrance to be seen – or whether the Blessed Sacrament is behind the locked door of the Tabernacle. There is a term used to define Our Lord when He is locked in the Tabernacle – “The Divine Prisoner”. I don’t know where that term originated but I learned it years ago. He waits for us - to come, to pray, to worship or to just sit with Him. He already knows our hearts and our troubles – and while we can’t unlock the tabernacle door - God waits for hearts / souls that open THEIR doors to Him.
2. You don’t need to be attending a service that is scheduled - such as Mass or Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Just be there. Oh, how God must love those unscheduled private visits by souls - when we don’t have to be there for Mass, etc.
3. I find one of the most beautiful times is when there is no one in Church - except me.
   I need to talk to God, and while He always sees / knows our presence - whether in a group or not - for me, it’s VERY special to be there with Him alone in Church. The quiet - something about it gives me a chance to speak with Him differently. Unlike praying at home, I can talk to God - in His very Presence - but it’s a selfishly beautiful feeling to be there alone with God during those moments of need. In light of that, I also feel embarassed if I come in and find someone else already there praying alone in silence - realizing I’ve now disturbed THEIR private time in prayer.

Just go. Anytime. The Divine Prisoner is waiting for you !

 

[puzzleannie]

I think any odd appearance has been only when I’ve been alone with our Lord, singing robustly, and another person enters the church. I just fade out softly, basically stopping in the middle of a hymn. I presume, and I think rightly, that others who enter have come with silence expected. I don’t sing in church unless I’m alone, or with a whole group singing hymns.

down here where people tend to have a robust, very emotional, deeply felt and expressed faith, one learns to expect many enthtusiastic but always very pious demonstrations of devotion to Our Lord and the Blessed Mother, so I doubt any such expression on your part would be looked at oddly, at least here, unless you were indeed disturbing others.

 

[uncle_joe]

PuzzleAnnie,

I believe you about the strength and vigor of the faith of Texans. I was in Dallas last September for my first, and so far my only, visit there. I asked a young Hispanic woman at the hotel in which I was staying near the LBJ expressway if she knew of any Catholic churches where I could go to mass. Her face lit up. She asked if it had to be close, and I said it didn’t matter because I had rented a car.

The young woman said her church is almost 10 miles away. I asked if she was Catholic, and she just laughed when she said “yes, of course.” I said that ten miles was fine, then she only told me the name “Guadalupe” and gave me directions. My own parish at home is Saint Mary of the Assumption, so to attend another church named after our Lord’s Mother was perfect to me.

I thought I was looking for a small old neighborhood church near where the woman lived. She warned me that parking was a problem, which I wrongly presumed was due to the church being a small well-attended church in an old residential part of the city around which lots of development had occurred over the decades. That happens in many large cities like Dallas. The young woman at the hotel did not tell me she was sending me to the Dallas cathedral! When I got there on Sunday morning, I was astonished at the number of people crowding around and then into the cathedral. It was beautiful.

I thought I was alone on that trip, except for hope that God was with me, but I was wrong. At a time that I needed much strength, I got it from thousands of my Catholic brothers and sisters in Dallas. The cathedral was beautiful, and the greatest beauty was the massive number of parishioners entering and worshiping with very obvious vigor. There is a small shrine to Our Lady near the front of the cathedral, and between masses the shrine is filled with ten to twenty people. Every other mass on Sundays is in Spanish, and both the English and Spanish masses were crammed full of people.

It was genuinely beautiful to see so many people praying before the Blessed Sacrament before mass, and to see so many people at the shrine after and between masses. The excitement the people had to be there and worship helped me to have enough strength properly to finish my trip to Dallas. I had to stay through the following weekend, and the weekday masses also were great, although, of course, not as well attended as on Sunday.

I don’t know how close you are to Dallas, but I trust that the emotionally vigorous faith you described is about what I saw and heard in Dallas. My own parish is old and strong, but the church is a small town church from the 1800’s. It’s beautiful, but sized just right for one of several Catholic churches in the town. The cathedral in Dallas must be four or five times the size of my home parish church.

When I reflect back on what I saw in Dallas, I’m sure that if I had been “caught” singing to our Lord on a weekday, it would have been regarded as not strange at all. From all the answers above, and from the fact that I sometimes get “interrupted” by other visitors at my parish when I visit Jesus in the tabernacle, I am much less concerned that I might seem odd at all when I worship Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. I have a feeling this is another one of those things that a lot of people do that they don’t realize a whole lot of other people also do. I know I did not expect to receive such strong encouragement from so many people to do just as I have been doing, and encouragement to worship Jesus this way even more.

Thank you to everyone who has answered thus far.
I am Roman Catholic.
Peace be with you.