I think the Catholics who participate in forums like this are a different breed than those who are in the pews on a typical Sunday. I’m not saying this is bad or good; but the Catholics on this forum are generically speaking “intellectually more curious” than your average Catholic sitting in on a Sunday liturgy. I think it’s VERY IMPORTANT for the “intellectually curious” to seek out the very best information they can when they have an important question, or even a question that comes up in the day in the life of your average Catholic.
I am a convert having been a Protestant for over 30 years. I’ve been Catholic since 2000. Getting past all the misconceptions that Protestants have about the Catholic faith was certainly a huge hurdle. But, I also must admit, I’ve had to continue to hurdle around all manner of other issues after becoming Catholic. One such hurdle was the liturgical issues. Some were more inclined to what is not the extraordinary form of the Mass. Of course, others were more inclined to the ordinary form of the Mass. The real challenge to me, in this issue, was the matching of the Popes words with the liturgical texts produced by Church authorities. EVERYONE interpreted them according to their personal perspective. I remember on this forum having some “very robust” conversations concerning the Papal Masses - especially the one in D.C. That particular liturgy contained all the elements that drive those with passions about the liturgy absolutely crazy. Some were sure Pope Benedict hated it; others were just as sure that he thought it was perfectly fine. And we all speculated what was going on “behind the scenes”.
I have read the documents and have also noticed the moves of the Vatican concerning liturgy; because, as a church musician, I need to be knowledgeable on liturgical matters, and I’ve come to the following conclusion. I have my personal opinion as to what is going on - and I honestly try to live within the norms of the Church, as I have no reason to do otherwise. But, there is, at present, a degree of gray, concerning liturgy. That is not saying there are legitimate abuses; but that’s also saying that some people cry “abuse” when, in reality, there is none present.
To give one quick example. This lent our parish had the bishop come to Confirm our class prepared for the past couple years. Being lent - we traditionally do not sing the word “alleluia”. But being Confirmation we sing hymns to the Holy Spirit. We have traditionally always sung - O Holy Spirit by Whose Breath. This hymn is full of “alleluias”. Somehow it got past the bishop’s committee that scrutinizes all liturgies performed by the bishop. The program was printed and everything was ready to go until about 10 minutes before the Mass one of our choir members figured out that we couldn’t sing this hymn. I immediately went to the sacristy and mentioned it to the head of the bishop’s committee. He recommended I change it if I could; but also eased my mind that the world wouldn’t end if we couldn’t get it changed. Honest mistakes happen - even with cautious planning - even with the best of intentions. But if mistakes are made - don’t make more of it than what it is. My perspective is that if all those non-issues were put in their proper perspective there would be over twice the time for confronting those items that are really necessary. Catholics are masters at straining at gnats; we need to learn the difference between the gnat and the camel.
And this leads me to my point concerning this thread to whomever started it. I’d talk to the priest of the parish and go over your desire to pray before that tabernacle in the sanctuary. If he says yes - you are in the clear to pray (the priest would know the local customs better than anyone). If he says no - then find an adoration chapel in your area. I do know that somewhere on the internet there is a listing of all adoration sites in the U.S. In the diocese of Pittsburgh an effort is made to have a perpetual adoration chapel in each county; and there is one 20 minutes from my home.
One more bit of advise. The above post highlights my POV that each individual Christian must work on their own salvation with fear and trembling. Do NOT allow the opinions of just anyone to make your opinions for you. Seek out good friends, people that you can respect, people who don’t seek their own way but the way of the Church. Give these people their due - but then confidently make the best informed decision you can and stick to it. Since I became Catholic I can look at myself certainly as one member of the Church, the Body of Christ, the body I love – but I can also look at myself as a unique creation brought into existence by God for His good pleasure. All the gifts He’s given me need a special attention so I ALSO look at myself as fulfilling a unique role in His Body. SO … if I had the desire to pray before the Blessed Sacrament – I would see to it one way of the other that I’d be praying before the Blessed Sacrament. Don’t quench the Spirit.
MonFrere