The Tabernacle

[ps139]

I have a few questions about the Tabernacle and the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Is Christ always present in the Tabernacle? I am not sure - and here is why:

A) When we go to Mass, and sit in the pew, we genuflect before going into the pew. This is because we are genuflecting to Christ, because He is present before us - in the Tabernacle. Also, once after Confession my penance was to pray before the Tabernacle, so I am assuming Christ was/is present in there.

B) We kneel during the Consecration because that is when the transubstantiation takes place, and when Christ becomes present.

A & B conflict - I must have a mistaken understanding of one of them.

The reason I am asking this is because I was at a church last week, and I wanted to say some prayers, and I was thinking about kneeling in front of the Tabernacle. But I was not sure if Christ is always there, or only there at certain times...

I look forward to responses. Thanks.

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

Yes the bless sacrment should always be in the tabernacle

CHAPTER II : THE RESERVATION AND VENERATION OF THE BLESSED EUCHARIST


Can. 934 §1 The blessed Eucharist:


1° must be reserved in the cathedral church or its equivalent, in every parish church, and in the church or oratory attached to the house of a religious institute or society of apostolic life


2° may be reserved in a Bishop's chapel and, by permission of the local Ordinary, in other churches, oratories and chapels.


§2 In sacred places where the blessed Eucharist is reserved there must always be someone who is responsible for it, and as far as possible a priest is to celebrate Mass there at least twice a month.


Can. 935 It is not lawful for anyone to keep the blessed Eucharist in personal custody or to carry it around, unless there is an urgent pastoral need and the prescriptions of the diocesan Bishop are observed.


Can. 936 In a house of a religious institute or other house of piety, the blessed Eucharist is to be reserved only in the church or principal oratory attached to the house. For a just reason, however, the Ordinary can permit it to be reserved also in another oratory of the same house.


Can. 937 Unless there is a grave reason to the contrary, a church in which the blessed Eucharist is reserved is to be open to the faithful for at least some hours every day, so that they can pray before the blessed Sacrament.


Can. 938 §1 The blessed Eucharist is to be reserved habitually in only one tabernacle of a church or oratory.


§2 The tabernacle in which the blessed Eucharist is reserved should be sited in a distinguished place in the church or oratory, a place which is conspicuous, suitably adorned and conducive to prayer.


§3 The tabernacle in which the blessed Eucharist is habitually reserved is to be immovable, made of solid and non­transparent material, and so locked as to give the greatest security against any danger of profanation.


§4 For a grave reason, especially at night, it is permitted to reserve the blessed Eucharist in some other safer place, provided it is fitting.


§5 The person in charge of a church or oratory is to see to it that the key of the tabernacle in which the blessed Eucharist is reserved, is in maximum safe keeping.


Can. 939 Consecrated hosts, in a quantity sufficient for the needs of the faithful, are to be kept in a pyx or ciborium, and are to be renewed frequently, the older hosts having been duly consumed.


Can. 940 A special lamp is to burn continuously before the tabernacle in which the blessed Eucharist is reserved, to indicate and to honor the presence of Christ.


Can. 941 §1 In churches or oratories which are allowed to reserve the blessed Eucharist, there may be exposition, either with the pyx or with the monstrance, in accordance with the norms prescribed in the liturgical books.


§2 Exposition of the blessed Sacrament may not take place while Mass is being celebrated in the same area of the church or oratory.


Can. 942 It is recommended that in these churches or oratories, there is to be each year a solemn exposition of the blessed Sacrament for an appropriate, even if not for a continuous time, so that the local community may more attentively meditate on and adore the eucharistic mystery. This exposition is to take place only if a fitting attendance of the faithful is foreseen, and the prescribed norms are observed.


Can. 943 The minister of exposition of the blessed Sacrament and of the eucharistic blessing is a priest or deacon. In special circumstances the minister of exposition and deposition alone, but without the blessing, is an acolyte, and extraordinary minister of holy communion, or another person deputed by the local Ordinary, in accordance with the regulations of the diocesan Bishop.


Can. 944 §1 Wherever in the judgment of the diocesan Bishop it can be done, a procession through the streets is to be held, especially on the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, as a public witness of veneration of the blessed Eucharist.


§2 It is for the diocesan Bishop to establish such regulations about processions as will provide for participation in them and for their being carried out in a dignified manner.

 

[Michelina]

Always present from the words of the consecration 'til the decomposition of the 'bread'.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

I have a few questions about the Tabernacle and the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Is Christ always present in the Tabernacle? I am not sure - and here is why:

A) When we go to Mass, and sit in the pew, we genuflect before going into the pew. This is because we are genuflecting to Christ, because He is present before us - in the Tabernacle. Also, once after Confession my penance was to pray before the Tabernacle, so I am assuming Christ was/is present in there.

B) We kneel during the Consecration because that is when the transubstantiation takes place, and when Christ becomes present.

A & B conflict - I must have a mistaken understanding of one of them.

The reason I am asking this is because I was at a church last week, and I wanted to say some prayers, and I was thinking about kneeling in front of the Tabernacle. But I was not sure if Christ is always there, or only there at certain times...

I look forward to responses. Thanks.

A and B do not conflict. We kneel during the Consecration because Christ becomes miraculously present in the offering on the altar. Christ is still present in the Tabernacle.

 

[KennySe]

And the little candle, in the red glass, is a reminder that He is present.

 

[Roald]

The conflict that you see is the source of a lot of debate regarding the placing of the Tabernacle. Because the Mass is the most important thing on Earth, we are to focus on it, and this seems to go almost to the point of ignoring the Tabernacle, which is present. Since that is not good, some have suggested moving the Tabernacle out of the Sanctuary, which upset peoples who like to have it in the Sanctuary for prayer and such.

I am torn on the matter myself.

Another interesting point about Christ present at the Mass...

He is present

1st: in the people gathered together
2nd: in His word
3rd and most importantly: in the Eucharist