Q: We will be having our Holy Thursday Mass at 7:00 PM. Is it appropriate to have extended hours of Adoration leading up to the Mass and then after the Mass as the Blessed Sacrament is reposed in the tabernacle outside of the church worship space?
The suggestion was to have simple Adoration without benediction from 8:00 AM until about 6:30 PM, and then with the Blessed Sacrament from the end of Mass until midnight.
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A: Is it appropriate? No. There’s no rule against it, but people should be observing Lent through Thursday up until the Triduum begins that evening. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper launches the Triduum.
Furthermore, I would not advise exposition of the Blessed Sacrament before Mass on any day. Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside Mass envisions it after Mass, when a host consecrated at that Mass is placed in the monstrance for the adoration of the faithful who wish to continue their worship.
I would find adoration before the Holy Thursday Mass a disorienting way to celebrate the institution of the Eucharist.
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Dear Fr. Paul, peace!
Thank you for all your thoughtful replies to the questions you are asked.
With regard to the post about the Holy Thursday Mass, I wanted to add clarification about adoration after the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper. According to the Circular Letter Concerning Preparation and Celebration of Easter Feasts, #55, “The Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a closed tabernacle or pyx. Under no circumstances may it be exposed in a monstrance,” and #56, “The faithful should be encouraged after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper to spend a suitable period of time during the night in the church in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament that has been solemnly reserved. “
So according to the Circular, adoration after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper is encouraged, but done without exposing the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance. There was confusion at my home parish about how adoration was done last year.
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Thank you for this clarification.