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Bishop Paprocki: I Direct the Eucharist be Placed in the Center of the Sanctuary
Courageous Priest ^ | June 24, 2014

Posted on 06/24/2014 10:31:08 AM PDT by NYer

His Excellency Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki; Ars celebrandi et adorandi

On the Art of Celebrating the Eucharistic Liturgy

Mother of the Eucharist

The art of celebrating the liturgy properly and adoring the Lord in the Eucharist devoutly (ars celebrandi et adorandi) is the key to fostering the active participation of the People of God in divine worship. (Part 1 of series)

The Reservation and Adoration of the Holy Eucharist

18. While the Holy Eucharist is reserved in the tabernacle of every parish church in our diocese, the faithful in some places do not frequently come to pray before the tabernacle to be in the presence of the Lord. Several reasons for this certainly exist, but one among them is the reality that the tabernacle is not always easily found in many of our churches today. Over the past few decades, tabernacles all too often were moved from prominent places in the sanctuary to obscure and remote rooms that in some cases were previously supply closets.

19. The present legislation of the Church concerning the placement of the tabernacle states, “In accordance with the structure of each church and legitimate local customs, the Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is truly noble, prominent, conspicuous, worthily decorated, and suitable for prayer.”13

Regrettably, this is not always followed.

20. In some churches and chapels, the tabernacle is set on a “side” altar in such a way that the tabernacle, though noble, is neither prominent nor readily visible. The same is often the case with the location of some Eucharistic chapels, whether they be in the nave itself, behind the sanctuary, or in another room. They are not always prominent or readily visible.

21. The great majority of our parish churches and chapels were designed to house the tabernacle in the center of the sanctuary; removing the tabernacle from these sanctuaries has left a visible emptiness within the sacred space, almost as though the building itself longed for the return of the tabernacle. With the removal of the tabernacle from the center of the sanctuary, the architectural integrity of many churches and chapels has been severely compromised.14

22. Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his Post-Synodal Exhortation on the Eucharist in 2007, “The correct positioning of the tabernacle contributes to the recognition of Christ’s real presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Therefore, the place where the Eucharistic species are reserved, marked by a sanctuary lamp, should be readily visible to everyone entering the church. … In any event, final judgment on these matters belongs to the Diocesan Bishop.”15

23. With this in mind, in order that more of the faithful will be able to spend time in adoration and prayer in the presence of the Eucharistic Lord, I direct that in the churches and chapels of our diocese, tabernacles that were formerly in the center of the sanctuary, but have been moved, are to be returned as soon as possible to the center of the sanctuary in accord with the original architectural design. Tabernacles that are not in the center of the sanctuary or are otherwise not in a visible, prominent and noble space are to be moved to the center of the sanctuary; tabernacles that are not in the center of the sanctuary but are in a visible, prominent and noble space may remain.

24. Some may object to this directive and point, by means of example, to the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome to suggest that tabernacles should not be located in the sanctuary. Saint Peter’s, of course, is different from the average church or chapel in many respects. Chief among these differences is the number of tourists who visit the Basilica each day, with no intention of praying to the Lord therein. These tourists enter this remarkable edifice built to the honor of the Prince of the Apostles simply to look around, to see the architectural beauty and perhaps to see some aspect of Catholic worship, but not to pray. The Eucharist is reserved in a special chapel into which tour groups are not permitted so that the reverence and adoration due the Eucharist can be properly accorded him by pilgrims seeking to speak with him.

25. At the same time, it should be noted that the Eucharistic chapel in Saint Peter’s is itself larger than many of our parish churches. There is more than enough room to accommodate all those who wish to pray in the presence of the Eucharistic Lord in the chapel; it is not always so with every Eucharistic chapel in this Diocese.

26. This deep-seated desire to be in the presence of the Lord resounds in the heart of every person, even if they cannot at first name this desire for what it truly is. We should therefore do all that we can to help them encounter the Lord who waits for them to seek and find him. In this regard, I strongly encourage keeping our churches open to the public in so far as can be done with the safety of people and the building in mind. Pope Francis spoke about this in his Apostolic Exhortation on the Joy of the Gospel, Evangelii Gaudium: “The Church is called to be the house of the Father, with doors always wide open. One concrete sign of such openness is that our church doors should always be open, so that if someone, moved by the Spirit, comes there looking for God, he or she will not find a closed door” (no. 47).

27. Regularly scheduled times for exposition of the Most Holy Eucharist in a monstrance or pyx, as well as an annual solemn and lengthier exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament, are highly commended as ways to stimulate the faithful to spiritual union with Christ which culminates in sacramental communion. The norms in the liturgical books for Eucharistic exposition and benediction are to be observed.16


TOPICS: Catholic; Religion & Culture; Worship
KEYWORDS: il; paprocki; springfield
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To: steve86

Well, with over 2000 years of history, this model has done pretty well.

That said, there will be a normal distribution of good vs. bad years.

Finally, you can’t please all of the people all of the time.


21 posted on 06/24/2014 6:48:33 PM PDT by SpirituTuo
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To: steve86

In these kinds of discussions, often used by as an excuse for poor leadership by papal apologists.

...bingo...


22 posted on 06/24/2014 6:52:08 PM PDT by IrishBrigade (')
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To: Salvation

In building our new church the words “The tabernacle will be in the center of the sanctuary!” were the first words out of our priest’s mouth!

...I long for the day when a bishop will say ‘all priests in our diocese will direct our common praise of God towards God, not towards the people’...

...in my humble opinion, Mass versus populam makes no sense whatsoever...


23 posted on 06/24/2014 6:57:26 PM PDT by IrishBrigade (')
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To: Salvation

The Catholic Church near me has “Perpetual Adoration” of the Eucharist. Church member volunteers cover the chapel 24/7/365. I find it amazing that they can get enough people to volunteer their time around the clock/calendar.


24 posted on 06/24/2014 6:59:16 PM PDT by EDINVA
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To: NYer
Wish Pope Francis would do the same.

Mass at Santa Martha Chapel

It appears they don't even have kneelers in that chapel.

Kind of explains why he doesn't genuflect in front of the Tabernacle or at the Consecration; but he will get on his knees to wash a Muslim's feet for the benefit of numerous photographers.

25 posted on 06/24/2014 8:39:29 PM PDT by ebb tide (Six feet deep and getting deeper.)
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To: ebb tide

Just FYI, most churches in Italy (and abroad) have kneelers made of wood with no cushion. So it’s literally like kneeling on the floor. I wouldn’t be surprised if the faithful in that chapel kneeled on the floor during consecration, as they are pretty much used to doing that anyway.

With all that said, the architecture there is atrocious.


26 posted on 06/25/2014 3:53:32 AM PDT by FourtySeven (47)
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To: TheRobb7

I’ve neve seen such a thing as that. Is this a joke?


27 posted on 06/25/2014 5:05:16 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance; give victory to the faithful over their adversary)
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To: ebb tide

Wow. I didn’t know this. There are no kneelers at the papal chapel? How long has this been going on?

Let me guess...since the 1960’s-1970’s.


28 posted on 06/25/2014 2:42:42 PM PDT by piusv
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To: piusv

No. Domus Sanctæ Marthæ, and its chapel within, were completed in 1996 by instructions of JP II.


29 posted on 06/26/2014 9:30:58 AM PDT by ebb tide (Six feet deep and getting deeper.)
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To: FourtySeven; piusv
Just FYI, Sanctae Marthae chapel, located in Italy, does have padded kneelers. But they're rarely used. Why is that?


30 posted on 06/26/2014 9:36:38 AM PDT by ebb tide (Six feet deep and getting deeper.)
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To: ebb tide

Alright well I don’t see a picture of, during the Consecration, anyone refusing to kneel. That looks like the Homily to me.


31 posted on 06/26/2014 10:01:54 AM PDT by FourtySeven (47)
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To: ebb tide

And by the way, first you claimed there weren’t any kneelers in that chapel, now you say there are.

So which is it you have issue with: that there aren’t any kneelers in that chapel or that there are, but not being used?


32 posted on 06/26/2014 10:10:04 AM PDT by FourtySeven (47)
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To: FourtySeven

I already said on “rare” occasions, like a Mass for priests. But when it comes to daily morning masses for the common people there are no kneelers.

It was you said the they could be kneeling on the hard floor. Why can’t the priests also kneel on the floor?


33 posted on 06/26/2014 10:49:48 AM PDT by ebb tide (Six feet deep and getting deeper.)
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To: FourtySeven

Kneelers aren’t made for homilies.


34 posted on 06/26/2014 10:52:49 AM PDT by ebb tide (Six feet deep and getting deeper.)
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To: ebb tide

I don’t understand what you are saying here. Are you saying you have evidence that shows Pope Francis didn’t kneel during the Consecration? If you’ve already posted a picture of such evidence post it again. I don’t see any pictures that show that.


35 posted on 06/26/2014 11:23:53 AM PDT by FourtySeven (47)
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To: FourtySeven

All I have said is that, in Sancta Marthae Chapel, there are no kneelers available at most of the Pope’s Masses, even though exceptions have been made.

Why not just leave the kneelers there permanently? Are they using that space as a dance hall in the off hours?


36 posted on 06/26/2014 11:50:09 AM PDT by ebb tide (Six feet deep and getting deeper.)
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To: ebb tide

I don’t know it’s a fair question. Like I said, I don’t care for the architecture there much either.


37 posted on 06/26/2014 12:11:16 PM PDT by FourtySeven (47)
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