Adoration question concerning covers

DarkLight · #1 Aug 4, '12, 6:50 pm

Our local adoration chapel has a sign that says "if you must leave the sacrament unattended, please place the cover back on." I was alone there recently and needed to leave. Are there any special rules or etiquette for covering the sacrament?

Corki · #2 Aug 4, '12, 7:22 pm

That's an odd instruction. Usually, if the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, it should be placed back into the tabernacle before being left unattended. You may want to ask the pastor about this one.

Delaine75 · #3 Aug 4, '12, 7:33 pm

Oh goodness, I am not sure on that one. I was told that if I ever needed to leave and I was the only one in the chapel, to go to the office and let them know I was leaving so that they could stay with the Blessed Sacrament until the next person arrived. :/

cradlecatholic5 · #4 Aug 4, '12, 9:17 pm

It's a practice in a neighboring parish.

**po18guy** · #5 Aug 4, '12, 11:18 pm

Some rubrics call for a minimum of two persons in attendance. Leaving our Lord unattended is one way to have adoration cancelled. It occurred last summer in one of the parishes where I go to adore our Lord.

It would greatly assist if the clergy would preach from the ambo on the wonderful graces that can result from adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

Deo Gratias42 · #6 Aug 5, '12, 6:50 am

Our priest told us it's a grave sin to leave the Blessed Sacrament unattended in the Adoration Chapel. If it must be left unattended, the Tabernacle must be locked, and the key must be placed a secure, locked cabinet, and the parish office must be informed so that the priests in the rectory know what happened. Further, only a priest is allowed to open the Tabernacle again.

DarkLight · #7 Aug 5, '12, 7:20 am

It's a special chapel with the monstrance in the wall, so my impression is that it's merely covered during Masses rather than being put back. I'm not entirely sure though. I wasn't the scheduled adorer or anything - I'd just dropped in for a few minutes. I'm hoping I was wrong and the scheduled person has just gone to the restroom.

Deo Gratias42 · #8 Aug 5, '12, 7:33 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkLight

It's a special chapel with the monstrance in the wall, so my impression is that it's merely covered during Masses rather than being put back. I'm not entirely sure though. I wasn't the scheduled adorer or anything - I'd just dropped in for a few minutes. I'm hoping I was wrong and the scheduled person has just gone to the restroom.

Does the wall have doors that lock? Either way, the Blessed Sacrament is not to be left unattended. Simply putting a cover over it does not protect it. Further, the laity aren't permitted to veil and unveil the Blessed Sacrament. If the pastor thinks this is acceptable, then it needs to be brought to the attention of the Bishop.