Placement of the Monstrance

[bobolink]

In our parish we have one hour of Eucharistic adoration on a Friday evening after Mass.

Our Church is a traditional church design, but it was sadly ‘renovated’ in the early nineties. The altar rails were removed, Our Lady’s altar and the St. Joseph altar were destroyed, and the tabernacle was removed from the beautiful reredos and placed on the right hand side of the sanctuary, where the St. Joseph altar once was. The chair of the priest is now incorporated into the reredos, so the priest sits where the Blessed sacrament once resided. A modern statue of the BVM and the Child Jesus now sits where Our Lady’s altar once was. This is the architectural background.

For the Eucharistic Adoration, the Monstrance is placed on the tabernacle. Let me explain. The tabernacle is a brass box, placed within the structure, rather like this: cts-online.org.uk/acatalog/tn_PC26.jpg It is actually quite a nice tabernacle, but it is off to the side.

The people who attend the adoration would like the monstrance placed on the main, free standing altar. I think the priest would be open to this, but the sacristan is very bossy. He doesn’t hold the Catholic faith in its fullness, and does not have much respect for the Eucharist. It is he who is insisting that the Monstrance be palced on the tabernacle, rather than on the main altar. We’ve just taken delivery of a new parish priest and a new curate. One evening, the curate did put the Monstrance on the main altar, in his blessed innocence/ignorance, but last night, the PP put the Monstrance on the tabernacle.

We, the people, want the Eucharist to take pride of place on the main altar. We would like to write a joint letter, signed by all interested parties, to request that the Monstrance be placed on the main altar.

I wanted to ask you people what points to make and whether or not this is a reasonable and legitimate request and what Church norms or other reasons might support our request.

 

[Phemie]

In our parish we have one hour of Eucharistic adoration on a Friday evening after Mass.

Our Church is a traditional church design, but it was sadly ‘renovated’ in the early nineties. The altar rails were removed, Our Lady’s altar and the St. Joseph altar were destroyed, and the tabernacle was removed from the beautiful reredos and placed on the right hand side of the sanctuary, where the St. Joseph altar once was. The chair of the priest is now incorporated into the reredos, so the priest sits where the Blessed sacrament once resided. A modern statue of the BVM and the Child Jesus now sits where Our Lady’s altar once was. This is the architectural background.

For the Eucharistic Adoration, the Monstrance is placed on the tabernacle. Let me explain. The tabernacle is a brass box, placed within the structure, rather like this: cts-online.org.uk/acatalog/tn_PC26.jpg It is actually quite a nice tabernacle, but it is off to the side.

The people who attend the adoration would like the monstrance placed on the main, free standing altar. I think the priest would be open to this, but the sacristan is very bossy. He doesn’t hold the Catholic faith in its fullness, and does not have much respect for the Eucharist. It is he who is insisting that the Monstrance be palced on the tabernacle, rather than on the main altar. We’ve just taken delivery of a new parish priest and a new curate. One evening, the curate did put the Monstrance on the main altar, in his blessed innocence/ignorance, but last night, the PP put the Monstrance on the tabernacle.

We, the people, want the Eucharist to take pride of place on the main altar. We would like to write a joint letter, signed by all interested parties, to request that the Monstrance be placed on the main altar.

I wanted to ask you people what points to make and whether or not this is a reasonable and legitimate request and what Church norms or other reasons might support our request.

How on earth did the sacristan get so much power that he dictates to the pastor where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed??? Something seems to be very wrong with this picture.

Of course, he may have just told the new pastor what the ‘traditional’ location was so the pastor returned it to the top of the Tabernacle. If that’s not what the majority of those who attend Adoration want, then you need to speak to the Pastor and make your request known. It’s possible the man doesn’t have a clue that most of you are unhappy with the status quo.

 

[bobolink]

It is unfortunate, but this is the case in my parish. There seems to have been some kind of embarrassment about the Eucharist under the previous regime. One priest was snappy when requested to place the Monstrance on the main altar. He was a curate who said, more or less, that’s how it is.

The new priests would be open I would imagine, to the idea, but the sacristan, a faithless man, insists that it is placed on the tabernacle.

What should we say in an open letter to the PP, to be signed by those who support the move, and are there any Church norms or other sources which would support our request?

 

[Joannm]

I don’t have my copy of the document on worship of the Eucharist outside of Mass but I believe it states the monstrance should be on the altar with six candles. I have never been to a church where the monstrance is not placed on the altar for adoration. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament always has to connect to the celebration of the Eucharist at Mass, that is why it is placed on the altar. To be placed by the tabernacle doesn’t seem, to me, to make that connection. Even in our church, where we have adoration and exposition in a separate chapel, it is still on an altar that is occasionally used to celebrate Mass.

I suggest getting the sacristian a copy of the document. Also, schedule a meeting with the pastor, perhaps getting a petition from the people who attend adoration, and respectfully request that the monstrance be placed on the altar.

One objection I find to your post is your judgement on the faith, or lack of faith, of the sacristian or past priests in your parish. It could just be that is how things were always done and habits are hard to break. Perhaps the sacristian never read up on how exposition is to be set up and truly believes that is how it is to be done because that is how he was taught and no one has given him proof otherwise. But I do question why the pastor has given him so much power.

 

[bobolink]

I don’t have my copy of the document on worship of the Eucharist outside of Mass but I believe it states the monstrance should be on the altar with six candles. I have never been to a church where the monstrance is not placed on the altar for adoration. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament always has to connect to the celebration of the Eucharist at Mass, that is why it is placed on the altar. To be placed by the tabernacle doesn’t seem, to me, to make that connection. Even in our church, where we have adoration and exposition in a separate chapel, it is still on an altar that is occasionally used to celebrate Mass.

I suggest getting the sacristian a copy of the document. Also, schedule a meeting with the pastor, perhaps getting a petition from the people who attend adoration, and respectfully request that the monstrance be placed on the altar.

One objection I find to your post is your judgement on the faith, or lack of faith, of the sacristian or past priests in your parish. It could just be that is how things were always done and habits are hard to break. Perhaps the sacristian never read up on how exposition is to be set up and truly believes that is how it is to be done because that is how he was taught and no one has given him proof otherwise. But I do question why the pastor has given him so much power.

Can you help me find the document?

As regards the man’s faith, he told my mother he did not agree with Church teaching on sexuality, and I’ve seen him in the past leaning on the altar, chatting a parishioner. He also doesn’t genuflect, and he uses bad language in the church. All this I can vouch as true. I can’t judge his soul state, but from his behaviour and talk, one could come to reasonable conclusions about his lack of reverence and respect, and therefore, a lack of faith.

 

[ElizabethPH]

Put in your request for the placement of the Monstrance. Also you might want to get your adorers organized and campaign for more Adoration hours.

As to the character of this person, are you attempting to get the placement of the Monstrance changed by defaming this man’s character? Perhaps you may rethink this approach.

 

[surritter]

I would suggest simply talking to the pastor verbally and making your request. To write a letter with many signatures sometimes comes across as a formal protest, and could backfire.

 

[HCC]

Get a group together of maybe five people to represent everyone. Try to get a few parish heavy hitters, if you can. Make an appointment with the pastor and just say the group needs to discuss a matter with him, something good, nothing bad.

Have the group meet with him and explain why. He should say yes. If he does, ask him to please let everyone know that is the way it is going to be done from then on. If he says no, than really raise a raucous. Get petitions together, that sort of thing. Send a message you won’t take no for an answer–get the message across from the get go.

That is…unless there are more pressing issues to be dealt with at your parish. Then you might want to let this one go and focus on the big issues first, so the more devout parishoners don’t look like they’re always whining about something.

 

[bobolink]

Put in your request for the placement of the Monstrance. Also you might want to get your adorers organized and campaign for more Adoration hours.

As to the character of this person, are you attempting to get the placement of the Monstrance changed by defaming this man’s character? Perhaps you may rethink this approach.

Not at all. I’m just giving you people an idea of who is partly to blame for insisting that the Monstrance be off to the side.

 

[ElizabethPH]

Not at all. I’m just giving you people an idea of who is partly to blame for insisting that the Monstrance be off to the side.

You explained that in your first post hinting his bad character; that sufficed.

I’m sorry I don’t mean to be rude; I sympathize with you entirely.

 

[bobolink]

You explained that in your first post hinting his bad character; that sufficed.

I’m sorry I don’t mean to be rude; I sympathize with you entirely.

You weren’t rude. If anything, I am guilty of anonymous detraction!

 

[Spirithound]

The pastor is the head of the parish. If he wants the Blessed Sacrament to be exposed on the altar, then he should use the altar. The way that you’ve described the sanctuary suggests to me that the Blessed Sacrament in exposition may in fact not be in the most visible place to all in the church. The altar, on the other hand, is placed specifically with that purpose in mind.

As a separate issue, you may wish to speak to your pastor or curate about how you are scandalized by the sacristan’s behaviour.

 

[bobolink]

The pastor is the head of the parish. If he wants the Blessed Sacrament to be exposed on the altar, then he should use the altar. The way that you’ve described the sanctuary suggests to me that the Blessed Sacrament in exposition may in fact not be in the most visible place to all in the church. The altar, on the other hand, is placed specifically with that purpose in mind.

As a separate issue, you may wish to speak to your pastor or curate about how you are scandalized by the sacristan’s behaviour.

Yeah that’s it - the tabernacle is actually concealed by a big stone pillar, and so in some areas of the church, you can’t see it. Whereas the main altar is the most visible place in the whole church. Our church is a traditional design church, originally with 3 altars, and two big pillars separating each. SO where the tabernacle is now is not the prime spot in the church.

I am not sure about approaching the PP about the sacristan. I feel really uncomfortable in his presence. He hangs around the church a lot. I don’t think there is a good spirit about him. But I am not sure anything can be done about him. I don’t think the PP would be prepared to do anything about him. I spoke to a friend and he feels the same way, and so does my mum.

I attach a photo, and you can see the tabernacle is on the right of the picture, obscured by a big pillar. You can see the main altar. The sad thing: the beautiful reredos, which held the tabernacle in the centre, is now a throne for the priest, whilst the tabernacle is in exile, off to the side!

 

[malphono]

Yeah that’s it - the tabernacle is actually concealed by a big stone pillar, and so in some areas of the church, you can’t see it. Whereas the main altar is the most visible place in the whole church. Our church is a traditional design church, originally with 3 altars, and two big pillars separating each. SO where the tabernacle is now is not the prime spot in the church.

I am not sure about approaching the PP about the sacristan. I feel really uncomfortable in his presence. He hangs around the church a lot. I don’t think there is a good spirit about him. But I am not sure anything can be done about him. I don’t think the PP would be prepared to do anything about him. I spoke to a friend and he feels the same way, and so does my mum.

I attach a photo, and you can see the tabernacle is on the right of the picture, obscured by a big pillar. You can see the main altar. The sad thing: the beautiful reredos, which held the tabernacle in the centre, is now a throne for the priest, whilst the tabernacle is in exile, off to the side!

I’m confused. Is the main point the position of the ostensorium or the disposition (aka personality or lack thereof) of the so-called sacristan?

 

[bobolink]

I’m confused. Is the main point the position of the ostensorium or the disposition (aka personality or lack thereof) of the so-called sacristan?

Lol sorry. I get sidetracked. The issue of concern is the position of the monstrance. I am not really concerned about the sacristan.

 

[malphono]

Lol sorry. I get sidetracked. The issue of concern is the position of the monstrance. I am not really concerned about the sacristan.

OK. Now I’ve got it. It means that Phemie & HCC have already given what I think is the best course of action. Let the pastor deal with the so-called sacristan.

 

[Spirithound]

Yeah that’s it - the tabernacle is actually concealed by a big stone pillar, and so in some areas of the church, you can’t see it. Whereas the main altar is the most visible place in the whole church. Our church is a traditional design church, originally with 3 altars, and two big pillars separating each. SO where the tabernacle is now is not the prime spot in the church.

I attach a photo, and you can see the tabernacle is on the right of the picture, obscured by a big pillar. You can see the main altar.

Oh! That’s even worse than I had envisioned! Not the general interior of your church It actually looks very similar to my own parish (but with a few key differences, of course). I can’t imagine that there is any question about this. The Blessed Sacrament in Adoration belongs in the sanctuary, not in the nave. I agree with Malphono, Phemie and HCC have good answers.

 

[Luger]

…The people who attend the adoration would like the monstrance placed on the main, free standing altar. I think the priest would be open to this, but the sacristan is very bossy. He doesn’t hold the Catholic faith in its fullness, and does not have much respect for the Eucharist. It is he who is insisting that the Monstrance be palced on the tabernacle, rather than on the main altar. We’ve just taken delivery of a new parish priest and a new curate. One evening, the curate did put the Monstrance on the main altar, in his blessed innocence/ignorance, but last night, the PP put the Monstrance on the tabernacle…

You might not like my answer but here goes. With the greatest of humility and respect I would simply move the monstance myself. I would take before and after photos too. If the sacristan tried to confront me after I had moved the monstance I would simply put my finger up to my lips and quietly say “leave me alone.”

Go ahead and let the sacristan make a big deal out of it. If your pastor doesn’t contact you, keep doing it until it becomes the norm. If he does contact you, show him the pictures and explain it’s time for a change.

 

[malphono]

You might not like my answer but here goes. With the greatest of humility and respect I would simply move the monstance myself. I would take before and after photos too. If the sacristan tried to confront me after I had moved the monstance I would simply put my finger up to my lips and quietly say “leave me alone.”

Go ahead and let the sacristan make a big deal out of it. If your pastor doesn’t contact you, keep doing it until it becomes the norm. If he does contact you, show him the pictures and explain it’s time for a change.

No. A layman is not to touch, much less move, an ostensorium while it is in use, humility and respect notwithstanding. This is a serious abuse which is simply not allowed.

 

[ElizabethPH]

No. A layman is not to touch, much less move, an ostensorium while it is in use, humility and respect notwithstanding. This is a serious abuse which is simply not allowed.

Then why would Fr. Serpa say this:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=2107784