Lay person setting up Adoration?

[mysticalrose84]

Last night I went to a young adult meeting which began with a holy hour. However, I was surprised to find that my friend, the leader of the group, and an extraordinary minister of holy communion, took the Blessed Sacrament out of the tabernacle, brought out the Monstrance, and set up Adoration. She did the same to finish the holy hour, using bare hands. When I asked her about it, she said that her pastor told her to do this. I felt completely wrong about the whole thing, and I am considering telling my Bishop. Am I overreacting?

 

[Ace86]

Last night I went to a young adult meeting which began with a holy hour. However, I was surprised to find that my friend, the leader of the group, and an extraordinary minister of holy communion, took the Blessed Sacrament out of the tabernacle, brought out the Monstrance, and set up Adoration. She did the same to finish the holy hour, using bare hands. When I asked her about it, she said that her pastor told her to do this. I felt completely wrong about the whole thing, and I am considering telling my Bishop. Am I overreacting?

Tell or write your bishop. It was completely wrong what they did. Only the priest can touch the Monstrance.

 

[mysticalrose84]

Ok, thanks, I thought that seemed pretty messed up.

 

[John_Lilburne]

Last night I went to a young adult meeting which began with a holy hour. However, I was surprised to find that my friend, the leader of the group, and an extraordinary minister of holy communion, took the Blessed Sacrament out of the tabernacle, brought out the Monstrance, and set up Adoration. She did the same to finish the holy hour, using bare hands. When I asked her about it, she said that her pastor told her to do this. I felt completely wrong about the whole thing, and I am considering telling my Bishop. Am I overreacting?

An extraordinary minister of holy communion can set up exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
“In the absence of a priest or dacon or if they are lawfully impeded, the following persons may publicly expose and later repose the holy eucharist for the adoration of the faithful:
a) an acolyte or special minister of communion; …”
(Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass (HCWEOM), published by E.J. Dwyer, Sydney, 1975, ISBN 0-85574-401-4, page 68.)

The same is in the Code of Canon Law, canon 943:
“The minister of exposition of the Most Holy Sacrament and the Eucharistic benediction is a priest or deacon; in particular circumstances the minister of exposition and reposition only, without benediction, is an acolyte, an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion or another person deputed by the local ordinary observing the prescriptions of the diocesan bishop.”
(Code of Canon Law: Latin-English Edition, Canon Law Society of America, 1995, ISBN 0943616204.)

I think she should have used a humeral veil:

“93. … If the holy eucharist is not reserved at the altar where the exposition is to take place, the minister puts on a humeral veil and brings the sacrament from the place of reservation; he is accompanied by servers or by the faithful with lighted candles. …”. (HCWEOM)

Its confusing, because the tabernacle is always some distance from the altar. The Ceremonial of Bishops is clearer:

“1108 A deacon immediately puts on the humeral veil and, escorted by acolytes carrying lighted candles, brings the blessed sacrament from its place of reservation.”
(Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, page 298).

Neither book mentions using a humeral veil to return the Blessed Sacrament to the tabernacle.

Here are further instructions on vestments from HCWEOM.

"92. The minister, if he is a priest or deacon, should vest in an alb or surplice over a cassock and a stole.

Other ministers should wear either the liturgical vestments which are usual in the region or the vesture which is suitable for this ministry and which has been approved by the Ordinary.

The priest or deacon should wear a white cope and humeral veil to give the blessing at the end of adoration, when the exposition takes place in the monstrance; …"

 

[mysticalrose84]

No, the EMHC did not wear a humeral veil, and she set up the Monstrance in a side chapel, called a reconciliation chapel, not on the Altar, but on a table with 2 statues, and 2 candles lit. The music ministry was practicing in the main church, but still…

 

[Walking_Home]

I guess the question is—was the priest or deacon not to be found, or lawfully impeded, or was this a particular circumstance.

Is the particular circumstance—that the priest or deacon not to be found or lawfully impeded.

 

[John_Lilburne]

No, the EMHC did not wear a humeral veil, and she set up the Monstrance in a side chapel, called a reconciliation chapel, not on the Altar, but on a table with 2 statues, and 2 candles lit. The music ministry was practicing in the main church, but still…

It should be on an altar. There should be four or six candles, not two. (Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass, n. 85). There should have been incense, (swinging in a thurible). If you do not have access to the books, the following site may be helpful: romanrite.com/benediction.html .

 

[Unfinished]

Last night I went to a young adult meeting which began with a holy hour. However, I was surprised to find that my friend, the leader of the group, and an extraordinary minister of holy communion, took the Blessed Sacrament out of the tabernacle, brought out the Monstrance, and set up Adoration. She did the same to finish the holy hour, using bare hands. When I asked her about it, she said that her pastor told her to do this. I felt completely wrong about the whole thing, and I am considering telling my Bishop. Am I overreacting?

I think I am going to be sick.

Call the 1-800-BISHOP hotline right now.

 

[CRW]

No, the EMHC did not wear a humeral veil, and she set up the Monstrance in a side chapel, called a reconciliation chapel, not on the Altar, but on a table with 2 statues, and 2 candles lit. The music ministry was practicing in the main church, but still…

These vestments are reserved for the priest of deacon, not lay ministers. At best, an Alb could be worn but not those vestments that are reserved for the ordained.

The EMHC may not offer the Blessing of the Blessed Sacrament, as well, before they repose the Sacrament.

Although unusual, this is not against current Church policy or authority of the Priest to delegate this to an EMHC.