Q: A question has come up as to whether or not it is proper to interrupt Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament by praying private devotions while the Host is present on the altar — devotions such as the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Novenas to Our Lady, or others which are not directly relevant to the exposition of the Eucharist.  The question came up when, following morning Mass, the Host was placed in the monstrance, and the people immediately began to recite the Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.  I interrupted them and explained why.

My understanding, my belief, is that it is not proper because it is intermingling private devotions with a liturgical devotion.  The private devotions are not problematic, and are excellent in themselves.  But my feeling is that interposing them in a way minimizes the purpose and value of Adoration.  I asked the priest who had presided at the Mass, and he said I was correct in stopping them.  In my 42 years as a deacon, I cannot recall seeing any directive on this.

How do you see this?

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A: Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery outside Mass describes adoration this way at no. 95: 

“During the exposition, prayers, liturgical songs, and readings should be so arranged that the faithful, attentive in prayer, may devote themselves to Christ the Lord.

“To nourish personal prayer, there may be readings from Sacred Scripture with a homily or brief exhortation, which lead to a better appreciation of the Eucharistic Mystery. It is also fitting for the people to respond to the word of God by singing. It is desirable that a sacred silence occur at suitable times.”

I’d say the problem for the situation you describe was not “private” devotions, but the object of the devotions. The goal is to be attentive in prayer, devoted to Christ the Lord.

That said, me, I wouldn’t interrupt devotions once they had begun. I’d talk to people afterwards to discuss how best to fill the time during the next period of adoration.