Who is allowed in the sanctuary?

[FrDavid96]

This is good explanation. Since our pastor does not have any lay people (other than the altar boys) process in or sit in the sanctuary, I don’t have perspective on this. Our lectors (readers), cantors, potential EMHCs, etc all sit in the pews until time for their assigned duties. I don’t know why anyone would want to sit in the sanctuary on a backless bench in full view during the entire Mass anyway! (The altar boys at least have small chairs near the presider’s chair.)

The answer, unfortunately, is that they are engaged in the “ministry of see and be seen” In other words, they are there to be there. I’m not saying it’s outright wrong for them to be there–one could certainly interpret the GIRM to allow this, and without manipulating the words either. But the fact is that I have seen it all too many times where people are present in the sanctuary for no reason other than to make the point that they are there.

 

[zab]

The answer, unfortunately, is that they are engaged in the “ministry of see and be seen” In other words, they are there to be there. I’m not saying it’s outright wrong for them to be there–one could certainly interpret the GIRM to allow this, and without manipulating the words either. But the fact is that I have seen it all too many times where people are present in the sanctuary for no reason other than to make the point that they are there.

I don’t think it is fair or accurate to portray the EMHC as you have. Perhaps they are there (in the sanctuary) because that is where their pastor has told them to be.

About twenty years ago, when I was asked by my former pastor to be an EMHC, it was the practice at that time for the EMHC to wear robes, process in and remain in the sanctuary during the entire Mass. In no way was it my desire “to be seen”. I did not seek out to be an EMHC. I agreed to help out because I was asked. Eventually, the pastor had the EMHC to do away with the robes and to remain in the pews with our families until the Peace of Christ, then we went up into the sanctuary. Later, that changed again, and the EMHC did not enter the sanctuary until after the priest received Communion. Now, at our parish, the EMHC receive Communion at the bottom of the steps to the sanctuary. They only enter the sanctuary after distributing Communion to return their vessels to the altar.

My point is, the EMHC do as they are instructed to do. Let’s not be in the habit of falsely accusing the EMHC. (I don’t know if you intended it to come across that way, but that is how it sounded to me.)

P.S. When the latest guidelines were implemented, it was specified in certain diocecean guidelines that the EMHC are not to be in the sanctuary until after the priest has received, but I don’t know if that was just a diocesean guideline or if it was for the entire church. All that it actually says in the G.I.R.M is that the EMHC are not to approach the altar until after the priest received Communion. That could mean that they could be elsewhere in the sanctuary. But as I stated above, the EMHC in our parish no longer approach the altar to receive Communion. That was the pastor’s decision.

 

[FrDavid96]

I don’t think it is fair or accurate to portray the EMHC as you have. Perhaps they are there (in the sanctuary) because that is where their pastor has told them to be.

About twenty years ago, when I was asked by my former pastor to be an EMHC, it was the practice at that time for the EMHC to wear robes, process in and remain in the sanctuary during the entire Mass. In no way was it my desire “to be seen”. I did not seek out to be an EMHC. I agreed to help out because I was asked. Eventually, the pastor had the EMHC to do away with the robes and to remain in the pews with our families until the Peace of Christ, then we went up into the sanctuary. Later, that changed again, and the EMHC did not enter the sanctuary until after the priest received Communion. Now, at our parish, the EMHC receive Communion at the bottom of the steps to the sanctuary. They only enter the sanctuary after distributing Communion to return their vessels to the altar.

My point is, the EMHC do as they are instructed to do. Let’s not be in the habit of falsely accusing the EMHC. (I don’t know if you intended it to come across that way, but that is how it sounded to me.)

P.S. When the latest guidelines were implemented, it was specified in certain diocecean guidelines that the EMHC are not to be in the sanctuary until after the priest has received, but I don’t know if that was just a diocesean guideline or if it was for the entire church. All that it actually says in the G.I.R.M is that the EMHC are not to approach the altar until after the priest received Communion. That could mean that they could be elsewhere in the sanctuary. But as I stated above, the EMHC in our parish no longer approach the altar to receive Communion. That was the pastor’s decision.

Of course, every individual person has his own motivation. But I wasn’t addressing the question of why people become EMHCs, but the question of why they are in the sanctuary for the entire Mass. Different issues.

What reason is there for someone who might (or even almost certainly will) be appointed an EMHC at Communion time to be in the Sanctuary during the other parts of the Mass? Remember, I’m not talking about individual persons, but about the idea itself that they should be there. (Literally, I was answering the question that had already been posed) Of course, they are there because “that’s how it’s done at that parish” but do we not need to go a little further and ask “why is it done that way at that parish?”

Over the past few decades, we’ve experienced a growing influence from people who want to transform the Mass into something to express their own ideas of what the Mass should be, and indeed what the Church should be. Everyone knows what I mean by that–the false “spirit of Vatican II” These practices have become so commonplace that Catholics forget to ask the simple question “why are we doing it this way?” If it’s exactly what we read in the GIRM, that question is asked-and-answered (except of course, for the purpose of understanding liturgy itself, which is a true good).

As I said earlier, it’s not against the GIRM to have the potential EMHCs in the entrance procession, and in the sanctuary for the entire Mass. It’s not illicit. It’s not an abuse. But neither is it something required by the rubrics.

Rather than simply taking it as a given that they should be there, we should be asking the questions “why are they there?” and “is it good liturgical practice for them to be there?” That gets us right back to the original question posed by the OP of ‘who is allowed in the sanctuary?’ The answer is not “only the clergy” or “only the clergy and altar boys” or “only men, not women” or any other typical answers that might at first occur to some people. It’s likewise not “anyone at all.” The real answer is “those who have a legitimate reason for being there” As Catholics, we need to return to asking ourselves why we are doing these things because even though the motivation of the individual persons doing them might be pure and noble, the reasons for why these practices were started in the first place are anything but.

 

[centurionguard]

Of course, every individual person has his own motivation. But I wasn’t addressing the question of why people become EMHCs, but the question of why they are in the sanctuary for the entire Mass. Different issues.

What reason is there for someone who might (or even almost certainly will) be appointed an EMHC at Communion time to be in the Sanctuary during the other parts of the Mass? Remember, I’m not talking about individual persons, but about the idea itself that they should be there. (Literally, I was answering the question that had already been posed) Of course, they are there because “that’s how it’s done at that parish” but do we not need to go a little further and ask “why is it done that way at that parish?”

Over the past few decades, we’ve experienced a growing influence from people who want to transform the Mass into something to express their own ideas of what the Mass should be, and indeed what the Church should be. Everyone knows what I mean by that–the false “spirit of Vatican II” These practices have become so commonplace that Catholics forget to ask the simple question “why are we doing it this way?” If it’s exactly what we read in the GIRM, that question is asked-and-answered (except of course, for the purpose of understanding liturgy itself, which is a true good).

As I said earlier, it’s not against the GIRM to have the potential EMHCs in the entrance procession, and in the sanctuary for the entire Mass. It’s not illicit. It’s not an abuse. But neither is it something required by the rubrics.

Rather than simply taking it as a given that they should be there, we should be asking the questions “why are they there?” and “is it good liturgical practice for them to be there?” That gets us right back to the original question posed by the OP of ‘who is allowed in the sanctuary?’ The answer is not “only the clergy” or “only the clergy and altar boys” or “only men, not women” or any other typical answers that might at first occur to some people. It’s likewise not “anyone at all.” The real answer is “those who have a legitimate reason for being there” As Catholics, we need to return to asking ourselves why we are doing these things because even though the motivation of the individual persons doing them might be pure and noble, the reasons for why these practices were started in the first place are anything but.

Father;

I am glad that you bring these important issues up…
I remember years ago being a Sacristan and asked by my parish priest and in turn a catechism teacher to give a tour to a group of grade six catechism students and explain to them the significance of different areas in the main Church culminating at the foot of the Sanctuary to bring significance alike to standing on Holy Ground with absolutely no difference to Moses standing before God in the Burning Bush. For upon this Sanctuary is hallowed ground and inside the Tabernacle is the Holy Presence of God radiating all throughout the Church with Angels in Adoration. The same identical Burning Bush at which God’s voice thundered before Moses. My question would be is how is it that children can capture an essence in there mind in trying to grasp this in their heads. Strange that puffed up Adults in all their maturity have a difficult time with this.
Because; obviously it is seen today in many Catholic Churches with a group of different people in the congregation prancing about the Sanctuary with a blind mind to just who it is the Resides on the Sanctuary 24/7. How does one convey this to adults be it that they are the worst offenders galavanting across the Sanctuary at any given moment.
I see this before and after Mass and worst of all EMHC’s coming from all sides of the Sanctuary returning the remaing consecrated host and wine in chalices and ciborium to the Alter with not so much as an acknowledging bow of reverence. This is beyond me to fathom. Complacency is an awful enemy of the human soul.

 

[zab]

Father;

…Because; obviously it is seen today in many Catholic Churches with a group of different people in the congregation prancing about the Sanctuary with a blind mind to just who it is the Resides on the Sanctuary 24/7. How does one convey this to adults be it that they are the worst offenders galavanting across the Sanctuary at any given moment.
I see this before and after Mass and worst of all EMHC’s coming from all sides of the Sanctuary returning the remaing consecrated host and wine in chalices and ciborium to the Alter with not so much as an acknowledging bow of reverence. This is beyond me to fathom. Complacency is an awful enemy of the human soul.

Somehow, I get the impression that you know the difference between “wine in the chalices” and the Precious Blood.

 

[thequeen]

(what I wouldn’t do for some altar rails…but I digress…)

Hi folks,

I’m hoping someone out there knows of some authoritative documents about who exactly has any business in the sanctuary area, specifically in the OF if that makes any difference.

I feel that at my parish, especially with the '80s architecture of the church building , the elevated area is so plain, it’s no wonder so many disregard its sacred nature.

I’ve done google searches, but can’t seem to find any specific instruction (other than common sense) on why it should be reserved for those who actually have a function at it. The Liturgy coordinator (no comments, please) seems to respond better whenever I have documentation.

Peace, -Mike

Well I dont know how things are done at yoru parish but one time whe I was coming down the hall way by the offices one of the priests he is passed away now asked me to go back
in the sacristy andand to get his cell phone he sort of seemed in a hurry he might have been on his way to see a parishioner who I know was ill but any way this certain priest was very conservative and was areal stickler for things being done according to the magisterium of the church that is why I thought so much of him and thenthere were other time that I had to be in the sacristy that had nothing to do with the liturgy and he had no problem with it.

 

[ML561]

I am going to unsubcribe as everyone on these posts is so picky about rules and regulations and so little is said about love. Didn’t Jesus come to liberate us from all these rules and to say “love one another?” I did not come into the Catholic Church to worry about who can or cannot come into the sanctuary, or how long the priests’ vestments should be, or whether or not to receive communion in the hand or on the tongue. I was under the impression that we were to clothe the naked, house the homeless, and welcome the stranger. I go to a church that does all these things and does them well. Maybe they don’t do everything in the Mass according to how some would have it, but after every Mass all the parishioners gather in the basement of the church to assemble lunches for the homeless. They also have a food pantry and closet which is open to anyone in need. The sign of peace is given and everyone in church greets everyone else with love. OK, this church does not obey the “rules” but they sure do serve the poor and do a hell of a good job, as opposed to other churches which are very forbidding and only concerned with rules and whether or not someone has sinned. This church serves everyone, whether or not they are Catholic. This includes street people. In fact, I have sometimes attended Mass at this church and seen a street person sleeping in one of the pews or in the back yard. In most churches these people would be shooed away like flies, but in this church they are welcome.

I would hate to leave this newsletter, but it has become too right-wing and “respectable” for me. Peace be with you.

 

[japhy]

I go to a church that does all these things and does them well. Maybe they don’t do everything in the Mass according to how some would have it, but after every Mass all the parishioners gather in the basement of the church to assemble lunches for the homeless. They also have a food pantry and closet which is open to anyone in need. The sign of peace is given and everyone in church greets everyone else with love. OK, this church does not obey the “rules” but they sure do serve the poor and do a hell of a good job, as opposed to other churches which are very forbidding and only concerned with rules and whether or not someone has sinned.

There are parishes that do both: they celebrate Mass according to the liturgy received from the Church, and they are exemplary in showing the love of Christ to all. It would not affect your parish’s ability to serve the poor in the least. What benefit does not following the Church’s liturgical rules give? Does it help you serve the poor better?

It is pointless to serve the physical needs of the poor (or of anyone) but to ignore their spiritual needs, especially the forgiveness of sin. And respect of Christ in one another does not mean license to show disrespect to Him in the Blessed Sacrament, or to behave casually or lazily at Mass.

We don’t bring these things up because we’re perfect at them; God knows I could be far more respectful during Mass and far more charitable to the poor and to everyone I meet. We bring them up because too many people ignore them, just as too many people ignore service to others.

 

[Jason_1977]

Mike,
A lot of this comes down to just what are you asking? Are you referring to what happens during Mass, or outside of Mass? And just who are you asking about?

Liturgical laws of the Church do not say “who is not allowed” but rather say “who is allowed.” And only those who have some legitimate purpose for being there, are those who should (or may) be there. Every person at Mass has a proper location. The Church doesn’t say “the laity are forbiden to enter the Sanctuary” but instead says that there is a proper place for the laity and a proper place for the clergy (and those who have a reason to be in the Sanctuary).

GIRM 295 defines the legitimate purpose of the Sanctuary. It’s not a place for people to be seated simply for the sake of being there, or being seen to be there.

Here’s the relevant section from the GIRM

1. The People of God, gathered for Mass, has a coherent and hierarchical structure, which finds its expression in the variety of ministries and the variety of actions according to the different parts of the celebration. The general ordering of the sacred building must be such that in some way it conveys the image of the gathered assembly and allows the appropriate ordering of all the participants, as well as facilitating each in the proper carrying out of his function.

The faithful and the choir should have a place that facilitates their active participation.

The priest celebrant, the deacon, and the other ministers have places in the sanctuary. Seats for concelebrants should also be prepared there. If, however, their number is great, seats should be arranged in another part of the church, but near the altar.

All these elements, even though they must express the hierarchical structure and the diversity of ministries, should nevertheless bring about a close and coherent unity that is clearly expressive of the unity of the entire holy people. Indeed, the character and beauty of the place and all its furnishings should foster devotion and show forth the holiness of the mysteries celebrated there.

1. The sanctuary is the place where the altar stands, where the word of God is proclaimed, and where the priest, the deacon, and the other ministers exercise their offices. It should suitably be marked off from the body of the church either by its being somewhat elevated or by a particular structure and ornamentation. It should, however, be large enough to allow the Eucharist to be celebrated properly and easily seen.

Where can I get my hands on this GIRM? I was at Pauline’s today and they didnt have it, nor did they have any idea how to obtain one.

 

[japhy]

Where can I get my hands on this GIRM? I was at Pauline’s today and they didnt have it, nor did they have any idea how to obtain one.

Search Google for the “General Instruction of the Roman Missal”. You can get it in digital form; you can use my copy if you want.

 

[FrDavid96]

Where can I get my hands on this GIRM? I was at Pauline’s today and they didnt have it, nor did they have any idea how to obtain one.

Jason,
I’m not sure if you can buy one as a booklet all to itself. It’s printed in the opening pages of the Sacramentary. Here’s an online version from the USCCB usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml

It’s also at the Vatican website (if you can find you way around there–one needs a map!) And you can check the “sticky” in the Liturgy forum for other versions and links (they will all say the same thing, but some are easier to find or easier to navigate.)

Sometimes it’s easier to use the USCCB page because it has a linked index, or if you want to search for a certain word, Japhy’s text version is easier because it’s a single document.

 

[japhy]

I’m not sure if you can buy one as a booklet all to itself. It’s printed in the opening pages of the Sacramentary.

You can buy a book version of the newest GIRM (which isn’t found in Sacramentaries yet). USCCB Publishing offers it for $15. But a digital copy (either PDF or text or HTML) is preferable, because it’s free and more easily searched.

 

[margy08]

In a parish I sometimes attend the female (lay) Pastoral Associate sits up on the sanctuary all through mass. She is usually a lector or cantor during the mass - the last post seems to indicate that as such she can sit in the sanctuary during mass. However my concern is that she sits prominently facing the people, on the chair next to the priest’s, and to me that looks out of place.

 

[Joannm]

I am a Pastoral Associate and I would NEVER take a place next to the presider. That is the place for the deacon or concelebrating priests. If I have to read I sit outside the sanctuary. I do know some parishes where the lector sits in the sanctuary but off to the side.