Chapter IV: On Reserving the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist

1583. "The custom of reserving the holy Eucharist in the sacrarium is so ancient that even the age of the Nicene Council recognized it."⁹ But lest so great a Sacrament be treated irreverently, many things have been prescribed by the Church concerning the manner of reserving it, all of which can be read among authors of liturgical Institutions. Here we shall hand down only a few things, and those which are of greater moment, excerpted from the Roman Ritual.¹⁰

1. "He," the pastor, "ought to care that perpetually some consecrated particles be preserved, in that number which can be sufficient for the use of the sick and of the Communion of other faithful." Yet the Most Holy Sacrament cannot be kept in any church whatever, but only in cathedrals, parochial or quasi-parochial churches, for example those which are had in hospitals and exempt colleges. From privilege it can also be kept in churches of Regulars, and of Nuns living under enclosure. But in other churches, even collegiate ones, it cannot be reserved without pontifical Indult, which regularly is not customarily conceded for private Oratories, nor for rural chapels, unless there is a concourse of the people and distance from the parish.¹¹

2. The Most Holy Eucharist is to be reserved "in a pyx of solid and decent material, and clean, well closed with its own cover, covered with a white veil." The pyx, as far as can be done, should be of gold or silver; yet in very poor churches one of tin is permitted, provided it is gilded within. Under it, while it contains the Most Holy Sacrament, there should always be a clean corporal or at least a pall.

3. Let the pyx with the Most Holy Sacrament be placed, "as far as the matter allows, in an adorned tabernacle locked with a key. But this tabernacle should be covered with a conopaeum, and empty of every other thing"; within it should be covered with gold or silver, or at least with silk cloths of white color.¹²

It ought to serve only for reserving the Eucharist: whence neither Relics, nor Holy Chrism, nor Oil of the infirm can be placed in it.¹³ The key is to be kept only by the pastor or another priest; among Religious by the Sacristan, and among Nuns by the Chaplain.¹⁴ The conopaeum should be of white color, or suitable to the Office of the day.¹⁵ It is not licit, for the sake of devotion or ornament, to place anything on top of the tabernacle besides the cross,¹⁶ or to place anything before its little door.¹⁷

4. The tabernacle, where the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved, "should be placed on the high altar or on another which seems more convenient and decent for the veneration and worship of so great a Sacrament; so that no impediment is brought to other sacred functions or ecclesiastical offices." The Most Holy Eucharist can be reserved on only one altar,¹⁸ and regularly ought to be on the high altar as being more worthy.¹⁹ In cathedrals let an altar be designated which is not in view of the choir, on account of pontifical functions, which are performed with the back turned toward the altar.²⁰

5. "Let several lamps before it, or at least one, shine continually day and night." Faculty of reserving the Most Holy Eucharist without a light can be had only from Apostolic Indult.²¹ - Moreover, the S. R. C. on July 9, 1864,²² declared: "that generally olive oil is to be used; but where it cannot be had, it is to be remitted to the prudence of Bishops that the lamps be nourished from other oils, as far as can be done, vegetable ones."²³ But if, because of gravely culpable negligence of the pastor, or of him to whom that care has been committed, for an entire day, or several entire nights, the light does not burn before the venerable Sacrament, it is a mortal sin, as authors commonly teach; otherwise if it does not burn for only one hour.²⁴

6. The pastor "will also care that all things ordained for the worship of the Sacrament itself be whole and clean, and be preserved."

7. He will renew "the particles of the Most Holy Eucharist frequently," namely once a week, or at least every other week.²⁵

"But the hosts or particles to be consecrated should be fresh" (cf. n. 1540); "and when he has consecrated them, let him first distribute or consume the old ones." Therefore let him beware lest particles recently consecrated be mixed with the old; but when all these have been distributed or consumed by himself, let him not omit to purify the pyx.²⁶ - If a larger host for the exposition of the Most Holy Sacrament is to be renewed, the priest himself must consume the old one; for it is not licit to break it and distribute it to the faithful.²⁷

1584. It is asked: What is to be noted concerning the EXPOSITION of the Most Holy Eucharist?

Resp. A twofold exposition is distinguished, namely private and public. It is private when the pyx, covered with its own veil, is left in the open tabernacle. But it is called public when the Most Holy Eucharist is drawn out of the tabernacle and exposed uncovered to public veneration.²⁸

I. PRIVATE exposition is permitted on account of a private cause, nor is license of the Ordinary needed.²⁹ What things are to be observed in it will be evident from the following decree:

"Whenever, from a private cause, the Most Holy Eucharist seems to be exposed, let it never be drawn out from the tabernacle, but, with the pyx veiled, let it be placed in the open little door of the same tabernacle, with the assistance of some priest, clothed in stole and surplice, and with at least six wax lights. We command the same to be observed in churches of seculars."³⁰ Yet if an old custom flourishes of drawing out the sacred pyx for blessing the people, it can be preserved.³¹ - In certain regions, exposition is sometimes made by drawing the pyx out of the tabernacle and placing it in the throne in place of the monstrance: this manner, says Gardellini,³² is opposed to the customs of the Roman Church, and therefore is not to be permitted. - But if the usage has now prevailed, it can be permitted by the Bishop.³³ Such an exposition, however, is to be held not as private, but as public, even if less solemn.

II. PUBLIC exposition is not permitted, unless on account of a public cause (a)^{vol2-0026-note-a} and with the license of the Ordinary, to whom it pertains to judge concerning the cause.³⁴ - Moreover, "if some private person procures this exposition to be made for promoting public devotion, then that seems to be a public rather than a private cause."³⁵

That public exposition be made licitly, besides the consent of the Bishop, decency is required; wherefore we note these things:

1. The Most Holy Sacrament ought not to remain exposed unless at least six wax candles burn on the altar, from the Decree of the S. R. C., March 15, 1698,³⁶ and unless some adorers themselves stand by without interruption.

2. During exposition, according to the Clementine Instruction for the exposition of Forty Hours, there ought to be neither relics nor images of Saints on the altar, except of adoring Angels; but the cross can be left or removed, according to the custom of places, according to the S. R. C., September 2, 1741.³⁷ Moreover, it must be noted what the S. Rit. C. responded on June 4, 1874, in Lisbon, namely: "that the Clementine Instruction does not oblige outside the City, yet those who strive to conform themselves to it are to be praised, unless something else is established by the Ordinaries of places."³⁸

3. At the altar on which the Sacrament is exposed, it is not licit, unless necessity urges or even custom, to celebrate Masses or sing them except for repositioning it. Thus from several decrees of the S. R. C.³⁹ Yet contrary custom ought not to be removed if the faithful would be affected with sadness from this, or if it concerns immemorial custom.⁴⁰

4. To one asking whether the Most Holy Sacrament should frequently be exposed for public adoration, Gardellini responded:⁴¹ "Provided every danger of irreverence is absent, and the Ordinaries of places diligently watch, and do not permit the Sacrament to be exposed to public veneration unless this is done with due homage and sign of reverence; the present discipline of the Church does not seem alien from granting frequent exposition." - Yet exposition "should not be too frequent; for excessive frequency could become a cause why something would be diminished from reverence toward so great a Sacrament."⁴²

But that pastors and confessors may promote public worship of the Most Holy Eucharist as much as possible, the Council of Bordeaux⁴³ piously and gravely exhorts them thus: "Since that most loving Savior wished to be present in His tabernacle not only in use, but permanently, let them very much commend and confirm by example the pious practice of VISITS TO THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT, by which those approaching with confidence to the throne of grace may obtain mercy, and find grace in opportune help."⁴⁴