Questions have arisen surrounding these devotional practices and hence some clarification is called for.
Clarification and directives that we are to follow have been given to us in the following official teaching documents of the church: The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (1963), Instruction on Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery (1967), On Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside of Mass (1973), and the Ceremonial of Bishops (1984).
A general statement that should preface every consideration of devotion to the reserved Eucharist is that because the Eucharist is so central to the life of the church, anything pertaining to celebrating the Eucharist or to devotion toward the reserved sacrament should be done with utmost care and in the context of the entire liturgical reform since Vatican II, which focuses on the celebration of the Mass.
Current norms regarding the reserved Eucharist place any devotions in a historical context and emphasize that any such devotion must be related to the celebration of the Mass.
- “The original and primary reason for the reservation of the Eucharist outside Mass is the administration of Viaticum: the distribution of Holy Communion and the adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament are derivative. For in fact the reservation of the sacred species for the benefit of the sick led to the admirable practice of adoring this heavenly food reserved in our churches. This practice of adoration is essentially proper and rational because faith in the real presence of our Lord spontaneously evokes a public and external manifestation of that faith” (HCWEOM #5).
While reverence and devotion to Christ present in the reserved sacrament are to be encouraged, particular attention needs to be given with respect to exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
The directive of the church affirms:
- “Care must be taken that in exposition the worship of the Blessed Sacrament should clearly express its relation to the Mass. In the arrangements of the exposition everything should be carefully excluded which might in any way obscure the intention of Christ, who instituted the Eucharist primarily in order to make himself available to us as food, as healing and as consolation” (HCWEOM #82).
The official documents of the church speak of two types of exposition: Lengthy Exposition and Brief Period of Exposition. When speaking of the latter it affirms:
- “Shorter expositions of the Eucharist are to be arranged in such a way that the blessing with Eucharist is preceded by a reasonable time for readings of the Word of God, songs, prayers, and a period for silent prayer” (HCWEOM #89).
It teaches further:
- “During the exposition there should be prayers, songs and readings to direct attention of the faithful to the worship of Christ the Lord. To encourage a prayerful spirit, there should be readings from scripture with a homily or brief exhortation to develop a better understanding of the Eucharistic mystery” (HCWEOM #95).
Devotion to the reserved sacrament is to be encouraged. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is clearly a particular devotion and thus calls for particular attention. In attempting to summarize and clarify, the following guidelines are given:
- The primary and original reason for reservation of the Eucharist outside Mass is the administration of Viaticum.
- “Celebration” of the Eucharist is the centre of the entire Christian life
- Exposition should carefully avoid anything which might somehow obscure the principal desire of Christ in instituting the Eucharist, namely, to be with us as food, as healing and as consolation
- The “celebration” of the Eucharistic mystery includes in a more perfect way the internal communion to which Exposition seeks to lead the faithful.
- No liturgy or devotional rite should be celebrated unless the “spiritual good of the faithful” ultimately requires it, not merely a personal devotion or that of a parish group
- While a service that includes Exposition and Benediction can help foster devotion both to Christ’s presence in the scriptures as well as in the sacrament on the altar, a parish’s first priority is well-planned and well-celebrated Masses.
- Genuflection in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration, is on one knee.
From the general guidelines of the church, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is to be exercised with reserve and in keeping with the mind of the church. All Eucharistic devotion is to lead to a better understanding of a participation in the full Eucharistic celebration.
- “The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the church is directed; at the same time it is the fountain from which all her power flows. For the good of apostolic work is that all who are made children of God by faith and baptism should come together to praise God in the midst of his church, to take part in her sacrifice and to eat the Lord’s supper” (S.C. #10).
Some Practical Guidelines:
- The ordinary ministry for Exposition of the Eucharist is a priest or deacon. In the absence of a priest or deacon or, if they are lawfully impeded, an acolyte, another extraordinary minister of communion, or another person appointed by the local Ordinary may publicly expose and later repose the holy Eucharist for the adoration of the faithful
- During the Exposition there should be prayers, songs and readings to direct the attention of the faithful to the worship of Christ the Lord. To encourage a prayerful spirit, there should be readings from Scripture with a homily or brief exhortations to develop a better understanding of the Eucharistic mystery. It is also desirable for people to respond to the Word of God by singing and to spend some periods of time in religious silence.
- Pastors should see that churches and public oratories where … the holy Eucharist is reserved, are open every day at least for some hours, at a convenient time, so that the faithful may easily pray in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is clearly one form of adoration and is judged by the church as a solemn form.
- Public and private devotion to the reserved Eucharist outside Mass is also highly recommended. The presence of Christ, who is adored by the faithful in the Sacrament, devises from the sacrifice and is directed toward sacramental and spiritual communion.