Extraordinary ministers openning the tabernacle

[Paladin D]

Is it permissible for an extraordinary minister to open the tabernacle and bring the bread to the altar? And also put it back? I've seen this done in a few parishes, and not sure if this is a liturigcal norm or an abuse. Thank you.


[b]EDIT:[/b] I spelt "opening" wrong!

Edited August 22, 2005 by Paladin D

[cmotherofpirl]

If they have permission from the priest to do so.

[Noel's angel]

but why would the priest ask them to?

[Cam42]

This is my opinion, but I think that it has some credence.

[quote name='Redemptionis Sacramentum #119']The Priest, once he has returned to the altar after the distribution of Communion, standing at the altar or at the credence table, purifies the paten or ciborium over the chalice, then purifies the chalice in accordance with the prescriptions of the Missal and wipes the chalice with the purificator. Where a Deacon is present, he returns with the Priest to the altar and purifies the vessels. It is permissible, however, especially if there are several vessels to be purified, to leave them, covered as may be appropriate, on a corporal on the altar or on the credence table, and for them to be purified by the Priest or Deacon immediately after Mass once the people have been dismissed. Moreover a duly instituted acolyte assists the Priest or Deacon in purifying and arranging the sacred vessels either at the altar or the credence table. In the absence of a Deacon, a duly instituted acolyte carries the sacred vessels to the credence table and there purifies, wipes and arranges them in the usual way.[/quote]

[quote name='RD #120']Let Pastors take care that the linens for the sacred table, especially those which will receive the sacred species, are always kept clean and that they are washed in the traditional way. It is praiseworthy for this to be done by pouring the water from the first washing, done by hand, into the church's sacrarium or into the ground in a suitable place. After this a second washing can be done in the usual way.[/quote]

I would seem that if it were proper for the priest or deacon to handle the sacred vessels in such a way, then it would also be appropriate that the priest or deacon would approach the tabernacle. Let's not forget that the tabernacle used to be affixed to the sacred table (mensa). So, with that being said, it would seem that it would be more proper for a priest or deacon to approach the tabernacle and to simple let the EMHC's simply distribute, not retrieve, the Blessed Sacrament.

I believe that this is also justifiable by the statement:

[quote name='RD #154']Hence the name "minister of the Eucharist" belongs properly to the Priest alone. Moreover, also by reason of their sacred Ordination, the ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are the Bishop, the Priest and the Deacon, to whom it belongs therefore to administer Holy Communion to the lay members of Christ's faithful during the celebration of Mass.[/quote]

[Noel's angel]

I've never seen a priest let and EM open the Tabernacle before, nor can I see a time when it would be necessary to do so

[Fides_et_Ratio]

They do so at my home parish-- only the "sacristan" is allowed to approach the tabernacle and retreive the Eucharist and only on Sunday Masses/Holy Days... why? Because the stupid architect/liberal priest/bishop put our tabernacle, not in the Sanctuary, but in the "daily Mass Chapel" which is separated from the Sanctuary.

So during a Sunday/Holy Day Mass, the "sacristan" (who also handles the chalices because we have no deacon) goes across the Hall to bring the Hosts.

It smells of elderberries. But if I ever won the lottery, I'd totally go about re-doing my parish... inside out.

[Brother Adam]

Is it for the same reason that they have it in a Eucharistic chapel at Franciscan? FUS follows the GIRM to the letter, because the chapel is a 'high traffic area' and is used for many events (Praise and Worship, graduation, etc.) the GIRM specifies that the Tabernancle is to be in a chapel off to the side.

[JP2Iloveyou]

Moreover, the Tabernacle is in a separate chapel other than the main one in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, St. Paul outside the Walls, and St. Peter's in Rome.

[son_of_angels]

I believe I heard Francis Cardinal Arinze speak on this matter. He indicated that lay people SHOULD NOT open the tabernacle for the distribution or reposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

Ah well, that is why it would be better if churches just used High Altars with the Tabernacles on or directly behind them.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='son_of_angels' date='Aug 22 2005, 10:17 AM']I believe I heard Francis Cardinal Arinze speak on this matter.  He indicated that lay people SHOULD NOT open the tabernacle for the distribution or reposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

Ah well, that is why it would be better if churches just used High Altars with the Tabernacles on or directly behind them.
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Our priest follows the law to the letter and he says they have permission to do so. I will check.

[Aloysius]

I'm pretty sure what has happened is a paradox has been created...

see, the pre-consecrated hosts aren't supposed to be out until after the consecration. but the priest is not supposed to leave the Eucharist after he has consecrated it (same reason why he's not supposed to go down to the congregation during the sign of peace, he's leaving the Eucharist on the altar). since there is no longer a tabernacle on the altar, there is no real licit way for the pre-consecrated hosts to be brought and as such the [i]illicitly-ordinarily-used[/i] extraordinary minister of holy communion goes to get them.

the GIRM says there should be a chapel for private adoration et cetera... but then
Canon 938 says
º1. The Most Holy Eucharist is to be reserved regularly in only one tabernacle of a church or oratory
º2. The tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved should be placed in a part of the church that is prominent, conspicuous, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.

there is [i]almost[/i] another paradox created...

about the only way I can imagine everything working licitly is the following:

there is a chapel off to the side of the altar with the tabernacle in it, but it is right next to the altar. there is a glass window so that the tabernacle is very visible throughout the entire Church in keeping with canon 938 º2. the glass window has a little door in it from which the priest can access the tabernacle during mass without leaving the altar which he is not permitted to do.

[franciscanheart]

I cannot recall a time when anyone other than our priest (or bishop) has opened the tabernacle. Our tabernacle is directly behind the altar and again the only person to ever open it (as far as I've seen or heard) is our priest/bishop. The only time I've ever seen anyone else handle the Blessed Sacrament is for adoration. I haven't seen it done at my parish (my priest would always come and handle the preparation for adoration) but I have seen it done elsewhere. Generally it is an EMHC that opens the tabernacle, removes the host, and places it in the monstrance, though I cannot be sure it was each time.

I would think it would be unusual for this sort of thing to go on, especially during the celebration of the Mass. I thought it was out of the ordinary when I saw it being done for adoration at other parishes.

[Brother Adam]

It is not cool for EM's to be opening the tabernacle.

[1337 k4th0l1x0r]

I went to a church where an EM not only went to the tabernacle, but transfered our Lord from the tabernacle into the ciborium from which he was distributing communion. Now that I know is a liturgical abuse. Only the priest is allowed to transfer consecrated hosts from one vessel to another.

[franciscanheart]

It makes me a little bit uncomfortable but I never knew (and I still don't) what was allowed in such circumstances.