The rite is set out in the ritual book Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass, published in 1973. Its opening principle governs everything else: eucharistic adoration flows from the Mass and leads back to it, since the Sacrament is reserved above all so that it may be given to the sick and the dying, and adoration of the reserved Sacrament grows from that reservation. Exposition is therefore never a rival to the Mass but a prolonging of the communion received in it. Exposition may be made with the monstrance or with the ciborium. The Sacrament is placed on the altar, incense is used when the monstrance is exposed, and candles are lit — at least four, and customarily six, for exposition in the monstrance. The time of adoration should include readings from Scripture, silence, songs, and prayers, so that the faithful are nourished by the word as well as by contemplation; the Liturgy of the Hours may be celebrated before the exposed Sacrament. Mass may not be celebrated in the same part of the church while exposition is taking place, and exposition is not to be held merely in order to give benediction. Benediction concludes a period of exposition. The minister, wearing a cope and a humeral veil, incenses the Sacrament while a eucharistic hymn is sung — traditionally Tantum Ergo, the last two verses of Saint Thomas Aquinas's Pange Lingua, with O Salutaris Hostia often sung at the beginning of exposition. The versicle "You have given them bread from heaven" and its response are followed by the collect. Then, in silence, the minister takes the monstrance and makes the sign of the cross over the people with it; the blessing is given by Christ himself, and this is why nothing is said. The Sacrament is then reposed in the tabernacle, and in many places the Divine Praises are recited and a hymn is sung. A priest or deacon presides at exposition and gives the blessing. An instituted acolyte, an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, or another person deputed by the local Ordinary may expose and repose the Sacrament in the absence of a priest or deacon, but may not give the blessing. Where a community is able to sustain it, perpetual adoration or the Forty Hours devotion may be established, and the Church encourages these while asking that they always keep their link to the Mass and to charity toward the poor.

Mass structure

n/a

n/a

mass_structure