Tabernacle key

[Vittorio23]

Quick question for y’all:

Is it appropriate for a lay person (say, acting as Sacristan) to place the key in the Tabernacle, but NOT open the Tabernacle? Removing the key?

Thanks.

 

[John_Lilburne]

Code of Canon Law, canon 938 §5 “The person in charge of a church or oratory is to see to it that the key of the tabernacle in which the blessed Eucharist is reserved, is in maximum safe keeping.” [The Code of Canon Law: New revised English Translation, HarperCollins Liturgical, 1997, ISBN 000599375X.]

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“317. In no way should all the other things prescribed by law concerning the reservation of the Most Holy Eucharist be forgotten.[footnote 131. Cf. particularly in Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments, Instruction Nullo umquam tempore, 28 May 1938: AAS 30 (1938), pp. 198-207; Codex Iuris Canonici, cann. 934-944.”

The footnoted 1938 Instruction is at RomanRite - Reservation of the Eucharist . It includes:
"6. (c) The key of the tabernacle must be most diligently kept by a priest. All the cautions mentioned up to the present will be in vain, if the chief caution, namely, the safe-keeping of the key of the tabernacle be neglected. The fourth paragraph of the above canon expressly mentions in respect to this point that a grave burden rests on the conscience of the priest to whom the key of the tabernacle is entrusted. In order to satisfy this obligation of most diligent custody in regard to the key, the Rector is solemnly warned that the key of the tabernacle must never be left on the table of the altar, nor in the door of the tabernacle, not even at the time when the divine offices are carried out in the morning at the altar of the Blessed Sacrament, or communion is distributed, especially if this altar is not in open view. When these offices are over, the key must be kept by the Rector at home, or always carried about by him, care being taken against losing it; or let it be kept in the sacristy in a safe and secret place, under lock and key, the second key being kept by the Rector as above. [Footnote 6: Cfr. Encycl. litt. iussu Benedicti XIV edit. a S.C.EE. et RR, die 9 Feb. 1751.]

Let priests who are guardians of the B. Sacrament seriously consider that the obligation of keeping most diligently the key of the Sacred Ciborium is a grave obligation, as its scope and the very words of the law clearly show. The priest on whom the right and duty of keeping the key ordinarily and naturally rests is the Rector of the church or oratory; should he go away, he can, and ought, during his absence, entrust the keeping of the Blessed Sacrament to another priest. If he leaves the key in the sacristy under another key; he can give this latter to the sacristan during such time as he is absent, and the key of the tabernacle may be needed. Universal practice is manifestly in favour of this. …"

But it is difficult to reconcile this with the lay people being able to do exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. From Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass, n. 91, about extraordinary ministers: “Such ministers may open the tabernacle and also, as required, place the ciborium on the altar or place the host in the monstrance. At the end of the period of adoration, they replace the blessed sacrament in the tabernacle.” [The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, pages 673-674].

 

[puzzleannie]

Quick question for y’all:

Is it appropriate for a lay person (say, acting as Sacristan) to place the key in the Tabernacle, but NOT open the Tabernacle? Removing the key?

Thanks.

it is proper that they follow the direction of their pastor for the circumstance they are in at the moment. In general, yes the tabernacle should be locked when access is not needed, or when it is empty, and the key put in a secure place.

we already have a long and acrimonious thread on this topic. is it really necessary to go into this every week?

 

[Vittorio23]

it is proper that they follow the direction of their pastor for the circumstance they are in at the moment. In general, yes the tabernacle should be locked when access is not needed, or when it is empty, and the key put in a secure place.

we already have a long and acrimonious thread on this topic. is it really necessary to go into this every week?

I apologize-- I had searched this topic and hadn’t seen one on it. I only asked because I act as sacristan here at my college and I was not sure if before Mass I ought to place the key in the Tabernacle, or if I should place it on top of the corporal. I do not think the priests here care either way, and I was simply wondering if the Church said anything about it. I know that it is not appropriate for a lay person to approach the Tabernacle and open it, so I was unsure as to this procedure.

 

[drafdog]

Phooey! Post #2 quotes the canon as saying the key must be kept in “maximum safe keeping.” That could be construed as being kept in a bank’s safe deposit box in the vault. Hardly a workable solution to security. The word “maximum” in the canon is an obvious absurdity. So much for the people who write this stuff.

Matthew

 

[dandn5000]

Phooey! Post #2 quotes the canon as saying the key must be kept in “maximum safe keeping.” That could be construed as being kept in a bank’s safe deposit box in the vault. Hardly a workable solution to security. The word “maximum” in the canon is an obvious absurdity. So much for the people who write this stuff.

Matthew

Are you serious?

Common sense tells me that what it means is that the key should be put under the maximum amount of reasonable protection(read: somewhere the general public doesn’t know about, with the priest, etc.), not the maximum amount of protection, period.

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

I apologize-- I had searched this topic and hadn’t seen one on it. I only asked because I act as sacristan here at my college and I was not sure if before Mass I ought to place the key in the Tabernacle, or if I should place it on top of the corporal. I do not think the priests here care either way, and I was simply wondering if the Church said anything about it. I know that it is not appropriate for a lay person to approach the Tabernacle and open it, so I was unsure as to this procedure.

Do whatever they say their preference is. Ask.

This isn’t a big deal.

 

[TheDoctor]

Phooey! Post #2 quotes the canon as saying the key must be kept in “maximum safe keeping.” That could be construed as being kept in a bank’s safe deposit box in the vault. Hardly a workable solution to security. The word “maximum” in the canon is an obvious absurdity. So much for the people who write this stuff.

Matthew

“Phooey!” - you potty mouth you.

Since we are reading the English translation of the Latin that the Code is written in, can it simply be that “maximum safe keeping” means “do all that you can to ensure the key does not fall into the wrong hands”?

Normally I don’t reply to random ramblings, but for some reason I got cheesed by the “so much for the people who write this stuff” remark. The folks who write this stuff are those called by God to serve him and us, and what they are writing is how to safeguard the greatest gift given from God to lowly man - his own body, blood soul and divinity.

I probably should just delete this now, but wait…there goes my finger toward that “Submit Reply” key…

 

[puzzleannie]

if the priest in charge is not involved you better get him involved, because he is responsible, and should be instructing you.

 

[Digitonomy]

Since we are reading the English translation of the Latin that the Code is written in, can it simply be that “maximum safe keeping” means “do all that you can to ensure the key does not fall into the wrong hands”?

This is an excellent question. I couldn’t figure out where to find the Latin version of the Code of Canon Law, so I dug up the translations into a few Romance languages, which should be close.

Spanish:
Quien cuida de la iglesia u oratorio ha de proveer a que se guarde con la mayor diligencia la llave del sagrario en el que está reservada la santísima Eucaristía

Italian:
Chi ha la cura della chiesa o dell’oratorio, provveda che la chiave del tabernacolo, nel quale è conservata la santissima Eucaristia, sia custodita con la massima diligenza

French:
La personne qui est chargée de l’église ou de l’oratoire veillera à ce que la clef du tabernacle où la très sainte Eucharistie est conservée soit gardée avec le plus grand soin.

It sounds to me like you are correct, but I will leave it to those more familiar with the above languages to give a deeper assessment. I think the direct translation comes across poorly in English - “with the utmost security,” for example, conveys the idea without the vague yet over-the-top quality of “maximum safe keeping.”

 

[Brother_John]

There was a thread on this several days ago, but it got so ugly, the mods pulled it…had to do with a member of a congregation physically confronting a EMHC over the key and the tabernacle.

So, yah, it’s been there done that.

 

[Vittorio23]

Wow-- didn’t realize I was opening a can of worms here.

I’m not so much concerned about the security of the key, albeit an interesting topic, but merely whether or not is appropriate for a sacristan to place the key in the Tabernacle, or if he/she ought to place it with the chalice for the priest to use at his discretion.

I had hoped there was a simple answer to this, so I wouldn’t have to bother our priests here with the question, but I suppose it looks like that’s what I’ll need to do.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Most places I’ve been the key is placed in the lock or beside the tabernacle before mass begins so the tabernacle can easily be opened during mass. Then the key is put away after mass is over. No big deal. No theological problem with placing the key in the lock by a lay person. The only problem would be if the tabernacle were in a side chapel and was unattended during mass. In that case, it would not be left with the key in it or nearby.

 

[TheDoctor]

Digitonomy wrote: “I couldn’t figure out where to find the Latin version of the Code of Canon Law…”

Just an FYI: you can get the code in Latin on the Vatican website: vatican.va/archive/cdc/index.htm

 

[Cristiano]

This is an excellent question. I couldn’t figure out where to find the Latin version of the Code of Canon Law, so I dug up the translations into a few Romance languages, which should be close.

Spanish:
Quien cuida de la iglesia u oratorio ha de proveer a que se guarde con la mayor diligencia la llave del sagrario en el que está reservada la santísima Eucaristía

Italian:
Chi ha la cura della chiesa o dell’oratorio, provveda che la chiave del tabernacolo, nel quale è conservata la santissima Eucaristia, sia custodita con la massima diligenza

It sounds to me like you are correct, but I will leave it to those more familiar with the above languages to give a deeper assessment. I think the direct translation comes across poorly in English - “with the utmost security,” for example, conveys the idea without the vague yet over-the-top quality of “maximum safe keeping.”

Look at the definition of “diligent”
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin diligent-, diligens, from present participle of diligere to esteem, love,

maximum & diligent to me reflect “outmost love and/or care” and not maximum security

BTW this is the Code of Canon Law in Latin

§ 5. Qui ecclesiae vel oratorii curam habet, prospiciat ut clavis tabernaculi, in quo sanctissima Eucharistia asservatur, diligentissime custodiatur.

 

[jmcrae]

Wow-- didn’t realize I was opening a can of worms here.

I’m not so much concerned about the security of the key, albeit an interesting topic, but merely whether or not is appropriate for a sacristan to place the key in the Tabernacle, or if he/she ought to place it with the chalice for the priest to use at his discretion.

I had hoped there was a simple answer to this, so I wouldn’t have to bother our priests here with the question, but I suppose it looks like that’s what I’ll need to do.

Yes, “bother” the priest in charge with this question; he’s the only one who knows what he wants you to do with the key.

The Internet is just the Internet - it’s useful for gleaning general principles, but when it comes down to the specific, you have to ask the people involved.

 

[Brendan]

Most places I’ve been the key is placed in the lock or beside the tabernacle before mass begins so the tabernacle can easily be opened during mass. .

That is the correct procedure. Or in our parish, the priest will direct an altarboy to go to the altar and unlock the tabernacle before Mass and return the key to Father.

In our parish, only the parish clergy (priests and deacons) hold copies of the key, so one of them must give instructions to unlock it.

 

[japhy]

Look at the definition of “diligent”
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin diligent-, diligens, from present participle of diligere to esteem, love,

maximum & diligent to me reflect “outmost love and/or care” and not maximum security

Here are some English definitions of “diligent” I’ve found:

• Marked by persevering, painstaking effort.
• Characterized by steady attention and effort: assiduous, industrious, sedulous, studious.
• persevering, hard-working
• quietly and steadily persevering especially in detail or exactness
• characterized by care and perseverence in carrying out tasks

Wheelock’s Latin says this:

diligentissi.me      ADJ    3 1 VOC S M SUPER           
diligens, diligentis (gen.), diligentior -or -us, diligentissimus -a -um  ADJ   [XXXBO]  
careful; diligent, scrupulous; accurate; industrious; assiduous;
thrifty, economical, frugal; attentive, fond (of), devoted (to);

diligentissime       ADV    SUPER                       
diligenter, diligentius, diligentissime  ADV   [XXXCO]  
carefully; attentively; diligently; scrupulously; thoroughly/completely/well;

 

[Phemie]

This is an excellent question. I couldn’t figure out where to find the Latin version of the Code of Canon Law, so I dug up the translations into a few Romance languages, which should be close.

It sounds to me like you are correct, but I will leave it to those more familiar with the above languages to give a deeper assessment. I think the direct translation comes across poorly in English - “with the utmost security,” for example, conveys the idea without the vague yet over-the-top quality of “maximum safe keeping.”

I don’t know about the Italian but the French translation means “with great care”.

 

[G_S]

Maybe I shouldn’t mention this but as someone who knows his way around quite a few sacristies, I’m sure I could find the tabernacle key in almost every Catholic church within 10-15 seconds. They are not kept secure in any sacristy I’ve ever been in.