Vigil light during mass

[SMHW]

Suppose there is a small rural parish without a resident priest and no regular weekday Masses. Let’s further suppose that by the time the weekend rolls around and a travelling priest arrives to say Mass that there are no consecrated hosts left in the tabernacle, which is located in the church proper.

As Mass begins, should the tabernacle be left open and the vigil light unlit?

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Under the conditions you describe, the sanctuary lamp should be extinguished. Whether or not the tabernacle is open is a function of practical matters – such as whether or not the key can be removed with the door open.

Deacon Ed

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

SMHW:

Suppose there is a small rural parish without a resident priest and no regular weekday Masses. Let’s further suppose that by the time the weekend rolls around and a travelling priest arrives to say Mass that there are no consecrated hosts left in the tabernacle, which is located in the church proper.

As Mass begins, should the tabernacle be left open and the vigil light unlit?

The lamp should be extinguished and the door opened. I have been in some parishes where someone has forgot to change the lamp and it burned out. SO in my opinion the door should always be left open and if you cannot remove the key a lock-smith sould be consulted.

Or some other indication like a screen or something indicating the tabernacle is empty.