Rules governing Eucharistic Adoration Chapels?

If I wanted a definitive answer to questions regarding eucharistic adoration chapels, short of contacting Rome, who would I speak with? I suspect the Portland, Oregpn archdiocesan chancery is where I should call. However, for certain reasons, it's difficult to trust this chancery.

What would you consider to be a relatively conservative/orthodox diocese in the USA? I might try contacting a different chancery before calling the Portland chancery.

Does anyone know if rules or regulations which govern EACs are universal, or are they subject to the whim of the local bishop?

Jim,

Not sure what you are asking or the nature of your concern. Though it is coordinated and administered by laymen, your Adoration program is subject to the oversight of the Pastor who is responsible for ensuring that the laws governing Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass are followed (see http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWSACRA.htm)

I would think that the chain of command in this instance begins with the lay "Captain"/Coordinator or Administrator, followed by the responsible parish priest/pastor, and then the bishop.

Perhaps this handbook will help:

http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/pea/handbook.html

Some takeaways:

"The adoration is practiced according to the norms of the liturgical law of the Church, given in the Roman Ritual." (Cf. Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass, Nos. 82-92.; http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWSACRA.htm)

And:

THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR THE LAITY

D E C R E E S

The erection of the Association of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration as a universal and international public association of the faithful, with juridic personality, in accordance with Book II, Part I, Title V of the Code of Canon Law, and the approval of its Statutes, the original text of which has been deposited in the Archives of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.

FYI: "The international headquarters of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is located at 660 Club View Drive in Los Angeles, California 90024, in the United States of America (cf. Can. 304, 1)."

MRyan wrote:Jim,

Not sure what you are asking or the nature of your concern. Though it is coordinated and administered by laymen, your Adoration program is subject to the oversight of the Pastor who is responsible for ensuring that the laws governing Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass are followed (see http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWSACRA.htm)

I would think that the chain of command in this instance begins with the lay "Captain"/Coordinator or Administrator, followed by the responsible parish priest/pastor, and then the bishop.

Perhaps this handbook will help:

http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/pea/handbook.html

Some takeaways:

"The adoration is practiced according to the norms of the liturgical law of the Church, given in the Roman Ritual." (Cf. Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass, Nos. 82-92.; http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWSACRA.htm)

And:

THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR THE LAITY

D E C R E E S

The erection of the Association of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration as a universal and international public association of the faithful, with juridic personality, in accordance with Book II, Part I, Title V of the Code of Canon Law, and the approval of its Statutes, the original text of which has been deposited in the Archives of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.

FYI: "The international headquarters of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is located at 660 Club View Drive in Los Angeles, California 90024, in the United States of America (cf. Can. 304, 1)."

Thanks, Mike.

The number of committed adorers at our parish chapel has dwindled to such an extent that the pastor has seen fit to place a wooden tabernacle on the chapel altar. The tabernacle is large enough to house the monstrance. Here is where I have questions, though. The tabernacle has swinging doors that are normally open when an adorer is present. If there is a "no show", then the person can simply close the tabernacle doors and leave. When someone finally shows up, he/she opens the doors once again. Just wondering if this is legit. As I had predicted, people are now neglecting to find substitutes in their absence.

I spoke with one individual at therealpresence.org who thought our situation was probably in violation of some law, but she couldn't say which law. Yesterday, I also spoke with two chanceries. One said it was kosher, the other doubted it.

On our chapel wall are a couple of framed documents, i.e., decrees and statutes. One has the address and phone number of a P.E.A. association in Los Angeles. I forget the street address. I called the number and found out it is now a private residence. The lady at therealpresence.org told me that an individual named Owen Traynor started a P.E.A. association in L.A. years ago, but it went defunct when he died. I'll have to see if that address you supplied is the same association. Thanks again, also for the EWTN links.

Jim,

Neither can I offer any expert advice as to the lawfulness of leaving the monstrance in a wooden tabernacle with swinging doors which can be opened and shut as needed by the lay faithful, but it just doesn’t sound kosher.

To leave the Eucharist exposed except for swinging doors hardly sounds like it meets the intent and spirit of the law. As you indicated, it opens itself up for abuse as scheduled adorers no longer feel obligated to arrange for a replacement.

It’s much too casual an approach to Adoration, and totally inappropriate, in my opinion.

I believe the intent and spirit of the law is simple, the Eucharist is either under lock and key in the appropriate tabernacle, or is exposed in the monstrance (or ciborium) with adorer(s) present. In fact, our perpetual program insists that at least two adorers be present at all times. It only happened once that I remained the sole adorer for my early morning hour, and that is only because the two previous adorers simply left without waiting to see if my partner would show (he didn’t). Normally, when he is a no-show, a certain adorer (yes, there are three) from the previous hour will almost always stay over. (We now have three adorers for my 1-2am hour - I don't think it will last as the new folks - for one reason or another - soon quit).

Sorry to hear that Adoration seems to be on the decline; it’s not a good sign. The program needs a strong coordinator and a Pastor who is pro-active in his support if Adoration is to bear long-term fruit for your parish.

I know; I am speaking to the choir.

I would get the Chancery involved, even if you do not think it will do any good.

EUCHARISTIAE SACRAMENTUM

10. The holy eucharist is to be reserved in a solid tabernacle. It must be opaque and unbreakable. Ordinarily there should be only one tabernacle in a church; this may be placed on an altar or if not on an altar, at the discretion of the local Ordinary, in some other noble and properly ornamented part of the church.

The key to the tabernacle where the eucharist is reserved must be kept most carefully by the priest in charge of the church or oratory or by a special minister who has received the faculty to give communion.

85. For exposition of the blessed sacrament in the monstrance, four to six candles are lighted, as at Mass, and incense is used. For exposition of the blessed sacrament in the ciborium, at least two candles should be lighted and incense may be used.

88. Where there cannot be uninterrupted exposition because there is not a sufficient number of worshipers, it is permissible to replace the blessed sacrament in the tabernacle at fixed hours that are announced ahead of time. But this may not be done more than twice a day, for example, at midday and at night.

MRyan wrote:
I would get the Chancery involved, even if you do not think it will do any good.

You already did; did either chancery official says he would bring this to the attention of the Bishop -- especially the official who said it didn't sound "kosher"?

The bishop needs to know about this.

There's always Rome.

Jim,

For what its worth, here is a link to our diocesan Norms for Eucharistic Exposition, and I have to believe that your diocese has their own published norms (though it probably won’t help): http://www.dosafl.com/imagegallery/VertNav/228/NormsforEucharisticExposition.pdf

Our norm dictating at least two adorers at any given hour, for example, comes from the diocese.

As far as official Church norms go (as far as I can tell), the links containing the relevant instructions from Eucharistiae Sacramentum (“Promulgating the editio typical of rites for holy communion and worship of the Eucharist outside Mass, 21 June 1973”), and Eucharisticum Mysterium, are all there is, and any further norms must come from the diocese and parish.

Btw, I found out that you are not alone; we have a Church in the diocese with limited adoration that does the same thing, except instead of a wooden tabernacle with doors, there is a special cloth kept in the chapel for covering/uncovering the monstrance. When our program was set up in 2004, the pastor and coordinators agreed that nothing like that would be allowed (and we still have the same pastor and coordinators).

Good luck.

I spoke with the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon (Mary Jo Tully!), who said our situation was "okay". No explanation; just that it was okay. The priest I spoke with at the Chancery of the Diocese of Lincoln, NE was a bit dubius about it, and suggested I locate the appropriate Church document. You did the work for me with the link you provided, the same link provided to me by Helen Hull Hitchcock of Adoremus. Her comment was, "..., simply opening and shutting the tabernacle door whenever it is convenient does not accord with the instructions given for exposition." So, now do I address the issue with my pastor who already considers me to be a thorn in his side, or go straight to the Archbishop? Does the local bishop have the authority to modify the aforementioned document? I'm betting he does.

As for the Association of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Int'l, it does not exist any longer, as I had suspected. At least, the phone number is no longer in service, and I suspect this is the association foiunded by the late L. Owen Traynor.