Q: The Vatican’s Circular Letter on Holy Week states that the monstrance cannot be used for reposition after the mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. What is the “why” it cannot be used. I’m having trouble with some colleagues saying that it’s adoration, and therefore we should use the monstrance. That’s what students are used to, and we should meet them where they are at, blah, blah, blah. Thanks!
A: The liturgical documents do not explain why, but I think the simplest answer is that the symbols pertain to mass, not to eucharistic worship outside of mass. The communion breads are placed in a ciborium, and the ciborium in a tabernacle. While they are there, the community is invited to pray as it may commonly do before any tabernacle. The following day these same consecrated breads will be distributed in communion to the faithful. Think of it not as adoration outside mass but an extended period of thanksgiving after communion.