Adoration & Benediction

[AudreyGrace]

Can just anybody expose Jesus from the Tabernacle to the monstrance for Adoration? Or does it have to be a priest or deacon, with Benediction, incense, and such prayers and hymns being sung? My youth minister takes it upon herself to just pop Jesus into the monstrance whenever we do Adoration, and I wasn't sure if that was proper or allowed. Thanks : )

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='AudreyGrace' timestamp='1301768505' post='2225467']
Can just anybody expose Jesus from the Tabernacle to the monstrance for Adoration? Or does it have to be a priest or deacon, with Benediction, incense, and such prayers and hymns being sung? My youth minister takes it upon herself to just pop Jesus into the monstrance whenever we do Adoration, and I wasn't sure if that was proper or allowed. Thanks : )
[/quote]

Any trained EMHC can expose and repose the Blessed Sacrament-- this is called simple exposition. Many female religious communities utilize this for their time of adoration, since most do not have a chaplain that lives with them 24/7.

A priest or deacon is needed in order to give Benediction, however. No lay person can do that.

Sounds to me as though everything A-Okay with your youth group adoration.

[cappie]

EUCHARISTIAE SACRAMENTUM
Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship
(Promulgating the editio typica of rites for holy communion and worship of the eucharist outside Mass, 21 June 1973.)

III. Minister Of Exposition

91. The ordinary minister for exposition of the eucharist is a priest or deacon. At the end of the period of adoration, before the reposition, he blesses the congregation with the sacrament.

In the absence of a priest or deacon or if they are lawfully impeded, the following persons may publicly expose and later repose the eucharist for the adoration of the faithful:

a. an acolyte or special minister of communion;

b. upon appointment by the local Ordinary, a member of a religious community or of a pious association of laymen or laywomen which is devoted to eucharistic adoration.

Such ministers may open the tabernacle and also, as required, place the ciborium on the altar or place the host in the monstrance. At the end of the period of adoration, they replace the blessed sacrament in the tabernacle. It is not lawful, however, for them to give the blessing with the sacrament.