20
Nov
MORE ON EUCHARISTIC ADORATION. In part 15 of my series on The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church US Bishops’ document, I explain the Order of Eucharistic Adoration. Past articles on this Revival, the whole document, and a free study guide, are on our Parish website: stmaryrutherford.org; click on National Eucharistic Revival Bulletin Articles.
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Pope Francis on Eucharistic Adoration (June 14, 2020) “Let us also rediscover Eucharistic adoration, |
PREPARING FOR EUCARISTIC ADORATION. As an official Rite, Church rubrics govern Eucharistic Adoration. If Adoration immediately follows Mass, the Host to be adored should be consecrated at that Mass. Before Mass, all that may be needed is set up on a credence or side table: a Corporal; Monstrance; Thurible with charcoal; Boat with grains of Incense; Lighter or Matches; extra Candles; Humeral Veil; optional Cope and Canopy; and the often-forgotten Key to the Tabernacle!
CORPORAL. The small, often square white linen cloth, unfolded on Altars during the Offertory, is left on the Altar after Holy Communion – or one is placed there if Adoration does NOT follow Mass.
TABOR. A stand, placed on a Corporal, which holds up the Monstrance, may be used. Its name refers to the site of the Transfiguration: Mount Tabor. The synoptic Gospels (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-9; Luke 9:28-36) record how Jesus was ‘transfigured’ or revealed in all His glory with Moses and Elijah. A Tabor recalls His lofty, elevated state, so it may resemble a throne.
MONSTRANCE. In the ‘simple’ form of Adoration, a Ciborium with the reserved Eucharist is placed on the Altar and no Tabor is used. Otherwise, a Monstrance is placed sideways on the side of the Altar. After a Host, in a Lunette or small glass pyx, is slid into it, it is placed in the center of the Altar, facing the people, atop a Corporal or a Tabor.
HUMERAL VEIL. Ordained Ministers wear a shawl-like vestment called a Humeral Veil to retrieve/return the Lunette from/to the Tabernacle; to move the Monstrance and give the Eucharistic Blessing. If there is a Procession, he may wear a Cope or festive cape; if the Procession goes outdoors, he may walk under a Canopy, held up by poles by any suitable Minister.
LIGHTED CANDLES. Every religion seems to use Lighted Candles in its rituals; even secular rites – like birthday parties and the Olympics – call for lit candles on the cake or a torch. At the Child Jesus’ Presentation in the Temple, the Prophet Simeon proclaimed Him “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32) and Jesus proclaimed: “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) – so Lighted Candles are most significant for us Christians. In the ‘simple’ form of Adoration, in a Ciborium, FOUR Lighted Candles are used; and SIX Lighted Candles are used when adored in a Monstrance. Some surround the Blessed Sacrament with a ‘crown’ of Lighted Candles. (The often-forgotten Lighter or Matches are also essential!)
BOAT WITH INCENSE & THURIBLE. A small container called a ‘Boat’ holds the grains of Incense; a small spoon is used to transfer some onto hot charcoals. Thuribles also vary in style and shape; sometimes a bowl with incense in it is placed before the Blessed Sacrament rather than – or in addition to – the use of a swinging Thurible. There are many biblical references to the use of Incense. God told Moses to build an Altar of Incense, which burned in the Temple’s Holy of Holies. On a ‘practical’ level, it overpowered the odors from animal offerings and other stenches; but it also had a ‘spiritual’ purpose. The rising of the smoke of the Incense symbolizes our prayers ascending to God. And as we ‘enter’ a cloud of Incense, or rather, as it engulfs us, we symbolically ‘enter into’ or are ‘embraced by’ God’s presence!
As we reflect on – and deeper our knowledge of – Eucharistic Adoration and this Eucharistic Revival – may we better appreciate and benefit from this great Gift to whom “we pledge our hearts’ oblation” (from the hymn: ‘To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King’) on this Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. For His Real Presence is as close to us as the next holy Mass or the nearest Tabernacle! Happy Thanksgiving!
With God’s love and my prayers,
Very Rev. Michael J. Kreder, VF, KCHS
MORE ON EUCHARISTIC ADORATION. In part 15 of my series on The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church US Bishops’ document, I explain the Order of Eucharistic Adoration. Past articles on this Revival, the whole document, and a free study guide, are on our Parish website: stmaryrutherford.org; click on National Eucharistic Revival Bulletin Articles.
|
Pope Francis on Eucharistic Adoration (June 14, 2020) “Let us also rediscover Eucharistic adoration, |
PREPARING FOR EUCARISTIC ADORATION. As an official Rite, Church rubrics govern Eucharistic Adoration. If Adoration immediately follows Mass, the Host to be adored should be consecrated at that Mass. Before Mass, all that may be needed is set up on a credence or side table: a Corporal; Monstrance; Thurible with charcoal; Boat with grains of Incense; Lighter or Matches; extra Candles; Humeral Veil; optional Cope and Canopy; and the often-forgotten Key to the Tabernacle!
CORPORAL. The small, often square white linen cloth, unfolded on Altars during the Offertory, is left on the Altar after Holy Communion – or one is placed there if Adoration does NOT follow Mass.
TABOR. A stand, placed on a Corporal, which holds up the Monstrance, may be used. Its name refers to the site of the Transfiguration: Mount Tabor. The synoptic Gospels (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-9; Luke 9:28-36) record how Jesus was ‘transfigured’ or revealed in all His glory with Moses and Elijah. A Tabor recalls His lofty, elevated state, so it may resemble a throne.
MONSTRANCE. In the ‘simple’ form of Adoration, a Ciborium with the reserved Eucharist is placed on the Altar and no Tabor is used. Otherwise, a Monstrance is placed sideways on the side of the Altar. After a Host, in a Lunette or small glass pyx, is slid into it, it is placed in the center of the Altar, facing the people, atop a Corporal or a Tabor.
HUMERAL VEIL. Ordained Ministers wear a shawl-like vestment called a Humeral Veil to retrieve/return the Lunette from/to the Tabernacle; to move the Monstrance and give the Eucharistic Blessing. If there is a Procession, he may wear a Cope or festive cape; if the Procession goes outdoors, he may walk under a Canopy, held up by poles by any suitable Minister.
LIGHTED CANDLES. Every religion seems to use Lighted Candles in its rituals; even secular rites – like birthday parties and the Olympics – call for lit candles on the cake or a torch. At the Child Jesus’ Presentation in the Temple, the Prophet Simeon proclaimed Him “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32) and Jesus proclaimed: “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) – so Lighted Candles are most significant for us Christians. In the ‘simple’ form of Adoration, in a Ciborium, FOUR Lighted Candles are used; and SIX Lighted Candles are used when adored in a Monstrance. Some surround the Blessed Sacrament with a ‘crown’ of Lighted Candles. (The often-forgotten Lighter or Matches are also essential!)
BOAT WITH INCENSE & THURIBLE. A small container called a ‘Boat’ holds the grains of Incense; a small spoon is used to transfer some onto hot charcoals. Thuribles also vary in style and shape; sometimes a bowl with incense in it is placed before the Blessed Sacrament rather than – or in addition to – the use of a swinging Thurible. There are many biblical references to the use of Incense. God told Moses to build an Altar of Incense, which burned in the Temple’s Holy of Holies. On a ‘practical’ level, it overpowered the odors from animal offerings and other stenches; but it also had a ‘spiritual’ purpose. The rising of the smoke of the Incense symbolizes our prayers ascending to God. And as we ‘enter’ a cloud of Incense, or rather, as it engulfs us, we symbolically ‘enter into’ or are ‘embraced by’ God’s presence!
As we reflect on – and deeper our knowledge of – Eucharistic Adoration and this Eucharistic Revival – may we better appreciate and benefit from this great Gift to whom “we pledge our hearts’ oblation” (from the hymn: ‘To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King’) on this Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. For His Real Presence is as close to us as the next holy Mass or the nearest Tabernacle! Happy Thanksgiving!
With God’s love and my prayers,
Very Rev. Michael J. Kreder, VF, KCHS