Why are there no lines of people entering the Adoration Chapel?

[Brendan_64]

Also,there is constant chatter before Mass.It seems most have completely forgotten where they are and in whose presence they are.
I fault our pastor for not addressing this either in the bulletin or from the pulpit.

And how often are we told that Mass is about ‘community’? If we’re constantly being told that what really matters is ‘community’ and welcoming people etc. then people will think that is what you do before and after Mass (and sometimes even during Mass), chat with each other, laugh, tell jokes etc. People today associate being welcoming with making lots of noise, they associate stillness and quiet with being unsociable.

Too often Man has become the main focus of going to Mass, not God.And it is like this because we aren’t being given proper example, leadership or catechesis from the pulpit.

 

[ProVobis]

And how often are we told that Mass is about ‘community’? If we’re constantly being told that what really matters is ‘community’ and welcoming people etc. then people will think that is what you do before and after Mass (and sometimes even during Mass), chat with each other, laugh, tell jokes etc. People today associate being welcoming with making lots of noise, they associate stillness and quiet with being unsociable.

As the American nuns used to tell us, “Empty heads make the most noise.”

OTOH, “Still waters run deep.”

FWIW, the original Latin was “altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labi” (“the deepest rivers flow with least sound”)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Still_waters_run_deep

 

[Jeanne_S]

And how often are we told that Mass is about ‘community’? If we’re constantly being told that what really matters is ‘community’ and welcoming people etc. then people will think that is what you do before and after Mass (and sometimes even during Mass), chat with each other, laugh, tell jokes etc. People today associate being welcoming with making lots of noise, they associate stillness and quiet with being unsociable.

Too often Man has become the main focus of going to Mass, not God.And it is like this because we aren’t being given proper example, leadership or catechesis from the pulpit.

I couldn’t agree more! In addition to the tabernacle placed off at the side of the church sanctuary,we now have the choir up front and off to the other side, as opposed to formerly being in back up in a loft area.So,at least in my parish,the choir as become a huge focal point to the extent that we now have congregants applauding for them,even during Mass!I have sent emails to both the choir director and our priest,both of which have gone unanswered.
So,having said that,we recently filled our parish surveys where we were also encouraged to write out any issues we have.So I did just that.Apparently these surveys will be forwarded to the Archbishop,will be interesting to see if any changes are made.

 

[Pianofish]

After reading through this thread I can see the value in this, but where is this chapel, and is it in every parish?

Jupiter, no, not every parish has a chapel. My parish has select days/times for adoration and it’s held in the sanctuary. Thankfully there is another parish in town that is large enough to have a chapel dedicated to perpetual adoration. It’s also locked, but anyone is welcome and the church’s website is clear about it. We just have to push a bell and the assigned adorer for that hour comes to let us in. If you’d like to find a place near you that has perpetual adoration you could visit therealpresence.org website for a directory of churches by state.

I think some people don’t attend adoration because they don’t know about it. I’m a cradle Catholic who is embarrassed by my lack of knowledge of the faith after 12+ years of “Catholic” schooling. I only learned of adoration once I had left the faith and returned after many years, with a strong desire to learn everything I could about the faith.

 

[commenter]

I couldn’t agree more! In addition to the tabernacle placed off at the side of the church sanctuary,we now have the choir up front and off to the other side, as opposed to formerly being in back up in a loft area.So,at least in my parish,the choir as become a huge focal point to the extent that we now have congregants applauding for them,even during Mass!I have sent emails to both the choir director and our priest,both of which have gone unanswered.
So,having said that,we recently filled our parish surveys where we were also encouraged to write out any issues we have.So I did just that.Apparently these surveys will be forwarded to the Archbishop,will be interesting to see if any changes are made.

Unfortunately, while it is good you did your survey, it will probably get collated and fit into a summary. Suggestions:

1. Try to focus on one issue at a time.
2. Some issues are clearly liturgical abuse; other things they might do are not exactly against Church law, but imprudent; other things might simply be a matter of disagreeing with your own personal preference. Prioritize the first 2 categories.
3. You can forward a copy of your communication to the bishop (but I wouldn’t do this too often). Occasional emailers get attention. Frequent emailers don’t. Be respectful, not complaining. You can mention that you informed the people in the parish, you are now just pointing it out to him, fyi. There might be some dean or other administrator over your region you could contact. It seem like your letter is not very influential, but sometimes it is the straw that broke the camel’s back. There could be others writing in too.
4. In your communications it helps to avoid subjective - for instance, instead of “I feel very strongly about this” point out some official church document. Jimmy Akin, and others, offer sources. For instance if the rubrics say the Blessed Sacrament must be in a prominent location, point out that when you brought a visitor it took them awhile to even find where it was.
5. Many churches were built or “renovated” to the point of desecration due to a 1977 document on Art and Environment in Catholic Worship. That document has since been totally superceded, but imprudent features of church buildings linger on, either because of expense, or because people don’t know the **current **law of the Church, or because no one ever asked for a change. For expensive changes, you might have to wait until they are renovating, cleaning, or updating for other reasons, then present your argument. Try to get other interested persons. Supporters of “AECW” pretend that “Built on Living Stones” never came out in 2000.

 

[Jeanne_S]

Unfortunately, while it is good you did your survey, it will probably get collated and fit into a summary. Suggestions:

1. Try to focus on one issue at a time.
2. Some issues are clearly liturgical abuse; other things they might do are not exactly against Church law, but imprudent; other things might simply be a matter of disagreeing with your own personal preference. Prioritize the first 2 categories.
3. You can forward a copy of your communication to the bishop (but I wouldn’t do this too often). Occasional emailers get attention. Frequent emailers don’t. Be respectful, not complaining. You can mention that you informed the people in the parish, you are now just pointing it out to him, fyi. There might be some dean or other administrator over your region you could contact. It seem like your letter is not very influential, but sometimes it is the straw that broke the camel’s back. There could be others writing in too.
4. In your communications it helps to avoid subjective - for instance, instead of “I feel very strongly about this” point out some official church document. Jimmy Akin, and others, offer sources. For instance if the rubrics say the Blessed Sacrament must be in a prominent location, point out that when you brought a visitor it took them awhile to even find where it was.
5. Many churches were built or “renovated” to the point of desecration due to a 1977 document on Art and Environment in Catholic Worship. That document has since been totally superceded, but imprudent features of church buildings linger on, either because of expense, or because people don’t know the **current **law of the Church, or because no one ever asked for a change. For expensive changes, you might have to wait until they are renovating, cleaning, or updating for other reasons, then present your argument. Try to get other interested persons. Supporters of “AECW” pretend that “Built on Living Stones” never came out in 2000.

Just for clarification.My parish church is only 17years old.It was built in the round(which in and of itself creates certain issues)the tabernacle is to the right of the sanctuary.There are steps leading up to it.I might add that the 24 Adoration Chapel is directly behind the tabernacle in a separate room and entrance. My concern is that very little to no reverence is given by the congregants by way of genuflection or bowing towards the tabernacle.

 

[Jeanne_S]

I just read an article off of the Courageous Priest website,talking about the fact that the Vatican is coming out with a new manual to help priests and laity celebrate the Mass properly. I have yet to figure out how to cut and paste from an I Pad,so am unable to share the link here.It was really interesting as it addressed many of the issues being discussed on this thread.Please check the website and article out.

 

[Brendan_64]

Have you got a link to that article, as I can’t find it on that website?

 

[commenter]

Just for clarification.My parish church is only 17years old.It was built in the round(which in and of itself creates certain issues)the tabernacle is to the right of the sanctuary.There are steps leading up to it.I might add that the 24 Adoration Chapel is directly behind the tabernacle in a separate room and entrance. My concern is that very little to no reverence is given by the congregants by way of genuflection or bowing towards the tabernacle.

Your prayers for the uninformed parishioners and good example benefit your parish!
The church construction policies in effect 17 years ago were a disaster in that they facilitated a horizontal, non-sacramental atmosphere. You probably can’t do much about that, unless they announce they are going to be renovating for whatever reason. It will still be round, but there are some positive changes you can suggest. One book I found useful is “Ugly as Sin”, by Michael S. Rose.

Even if you haven’t gotten any headway with certain people, there might be openings with others. If you have children, or if you know the religious education person, find out what kind of religious texts they use. Some are better than others in communicating the Real Presence. Any parishioner can suggest; Hey, the pope, and the Archbishop (hopefully) emphasize the Real Presence. Here’s another textbook series I find to be helpful, why can’t we consider it for our parish?

Could you ask a few other Adoration people if they might be interested in a Holy Hour** in the church?** People might say “that’s what the Blessed Sacrament chapel is for” but you want to try to get people used to some Eucharistic focused activities in the church.

You also might look around, did any parishes in your diocese have a Corpus Christi Procession last year? (Hey, if St. Mary’s parish can do it, I bet we can do it even bigger). It’s kind of late for this year, but start a buzz maybe for 2016. You want to try to attract people who don’t go to the Adoration chapel, to focus on the Eucharist, itself (or Himself), in a different context.

Little by little you can make things better.

 

[Memaw]

We have to remember that the Church doesn’t require devotional Eucharistic Adoration of anyone. It is an optional devotional practice. It is, without a doubt, a beautiful and powerful practice, but as others have noted it wasn’t widely practiced in the Church until relatively late in her history (high middle ages if memory serves) and it never caught on in the East. That being said, all of us are called to adore Christ in the Eucharist during the holy sacrifice of the mass…the liturgy, the mass, is the height of our spiritual lives, and thus I believe that this is the most important form of Eucharistic Adoration…kneeling in adoration and love as the consecration occurs on the altar…kneeling in adoration as we receive Him in Holy Communion (the kneeling part may or may not be literal depending on your parish!)…kneeling in adoration as we return to the pew.
I’ve also noticed that in a lot of parishes the faithful will go before the tabernacle and kneel in prayerful adoration for a time after mass. The Host may not be exposed, but this is still true adoration.

The Host doesn’t have to be exposed in order to Adore Our Lord,. HE is there at all times. God Bless, Memaw