Problematic situation with the Blessed Sacrament

[Aurelia]

My kids attend a Catholic high school run by the Christian Brothers. A few years ago the school converted the library room to a “chapel.”
It’s not very chapel-like–just a big empty room with a portable altar up front and in one corner, a tabernacle with a sanctuary lamp burning next to it. They use this room for all kinds of secular activities like parent meetings, uniform fittings, and such, and during these times, the sanctuary lamp is still burning. This indicates to me that the Blessed Sacrament is still there. I think that this shows terrible disrespect for the Blessed Sacrament, and I’d like to speak to someone at the school. My son doesn’t want me to make waves. What would you do? (Of course, it’s possible that the Blessed Sacrament has been removed and the lamp has been left burning, but then, shouldn’t the doors of the tabernacle be left open?)

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Yes, I’d mention the situation. You are correct that the Blessed Sacrament should be removed and the sanctuary lamp either extinguished or moved to where the Blessed Sacrament is. The doors to the tabernacle should be open if the Blessed Sacrament is not there – although some doors don’t allow the key to be removed if they are open, so this may result in a decision to reclose and lock the doors.

Deacon Ed

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Aurelia:

My kids attend a Catholic high school run by the Christian Brothers. A few years ago the school converted the library room to a “chapel.”
It’s not very chapel-like–just a big empty room with a portable altar up front and in one corner, a tabernacle with a sanctuary lamp burning next to it. They use this room for all kinds of secular activities like parent meetings, uniform fittings, and such, and during these times, the sanctuary lamp is still burning. This indicates to me that the Blessed Sacrament is still there. I think that this shows terrible disrespect for the Blessed Sacrament, and I’d like to speak to someone at the school. My son doesn’t want me to make waves. What would you do? (Of course, it’s possible that the Blessed Sacrament has been removed and the lamp has been left burning, but then, shouldn’t the doors of the tabernacle be left open?)

Speak with someone at the school. If it were me I would also write the Bishop if you get no response from the school. You might also try getting to the next parents meeting a bit early and kneeling in quiet prayer and see if anyone disturbes you. You can also see if someone removes the Blessed Sacrament before the room is used for another purpose. IF the Blessed Sacrament is removed from the tabernacle the door should be left open and the lamp put out.