Removing the Blessed Sacrament from the sanctuary when used for non-liturgical functions

[ChrisCA]

I was wondering if there are any guidelines on when the Blessed Sacrament should be removed from the sanctuary when the main church is being used for non-liturgical purposes?

By non-liturgical purposes I mean that let’s say a concert will occur in the main church.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

I was wondering if there are any guidelines on when the Blessed Sacrament should be removed from the sanctuary when the main church is being used for non-liturgical purposes?

By non-liturgical purposes I mean that let’s say a concert will occur in the main church.

There is a document that provides guidelines specifically for the scenario you describe. At the moment its name escapes me. I am sure someone will be a long with its name and a possible link to it. This same document does recommend the removal of the Blessed Sacrament from a sanctuary that is to be used in this way.

 

[jimrob]

The Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has something to say on the use of Churches for concerts. adoremus.org/concerts.html

Basically a church is the house of God and his place of worship. It is acceptable to use the Church for a musical performance that is in keeping with an act of worship. In those circumstances the Blessed Sacrament should remain in place. If the performance is not one suitable to take place in front of the Blessed Sacrament, it is not suitable for a Church.

The exception is where there is a building used as a hall, but where Mass and the Sacraments also take place. When such a building is not in use as a place of worship, the Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a place away from the main hall. Usually, this type of building includes a small chapel available for devotions and weekday Masses and the hall is only used for Mass on Sundays and Holidays.

 

[ChrisCA]

The Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has something to say on the use of Churches for concerts. adoremus.org/concerts.html

Basically a church is the house of God and his place of worship. It is acceptable to use the Church for a musical performance that is in keeping with an act of worship. In those circumstances the Blessed Sacrament should remain in place. If the performance is not one suitable to take place in front of the Blessed Sacrament, it is not suitable for a Church.

The exception is where there is a building used as a hall, but where Mass and the Sacraments also take place. When such a building is not in use as a place of worship, the Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a place away from the main hall. Usually, this type of building includes a small chapel available for devotions and weekday Masses and the hall is only used for Mass on Sundays and Holidays.

Thank you for your informative post.

The situation here involves a concert of contemporary Christian (performed by a popular artist whom is a practicing Catholic) religious nature that will occur outside of the Mass but in the church building where the Mass is normally celebrated.

I would assume it is acceptable based on what I put in bold from the document you linked in your post:

1. Sacred music, that is to say music which was composed for the Liturgy, but which for various reasons can no longer be performed during a liturgical celebration, and religious music, that is to say music inspired by the text of sacred scripture or the Liturgy and which has reference to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, to the saints or to the Church, may both find a place in the church building, but outside liturgical celebration. The playing of the organ or other musical performance, whether vocal or instrumental, may: “serve to promote piety or religion.” In particular they may: …]