Requirements for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

[DBill]

What is required to have proper exposition of the Blessed Sacrament? Our former pastor converted the old chapel / crying room into an adoration chapel. I suspect that the procedures established for exposition do not meet the requirements of liturgical law. The chapel has been open for adoration from 7 Am to 7 PM every weekday. No liturgical rites are observed in exposing the Eucharist in the morning nor in returning It to the tabernacle in the evening. The monstrance is placed in a beautiful cabinet, well secured behind locked Plexiglas. Over the Plexiglas, there are wooden doors. People are allowed to open those doors to expose the Blessed Sacrament for adoration. If there is no one else present when he or she is ready to leave, a visitor is instructed to simply close the wooden doors to cover the monstrance and the Eucharist. Unfortunately, the new pastor would just as soon eliminate adoration all together, but it would be helpful to know what is required and what the sources are for these requirements. Thanks,

 

[cameron_lansing]

I recommend that you speak with the present pastor. The former pastor might have arranged for special permissions and faculties from the diocesan bishop to constitute this room for perpetual Eucharistic adoration. The present pastor might be aware of the canonical status of the situation.

The rite of Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration involves transferring the Blessed Sacrament from a place of reservation (a tabernacle) to the altar. Apart from the solemn transfer by a cleric (or a deputed lay person in certain circumstances) wearing a humeral veil, and servers or laypersons with candles, incensation, the rite does not seem to prescribe anything more (Roman Missal, Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass, nn 93-94). A song may be sung.

In the case you describe there is no transfer of the Eucharist.

Perhaps a liturgist will post and steer you closer to other sources.