Touching the Tabernacle or Monstrance
Date: July 28, 2024
Author: Fr. Edward McNamara, LC
Question: I sometimes attend Mass at a church that has a Eucharistic chapel with a large tabernacle in the center. I've noticed several people will reverently rest their hand on the tabernacle and pray, sometimes for a prolonged period, before genuflecting and leaving. I've also noticed a trend in which people will kiss or touch the monstrance during exposition; at times, the priest will even bring the monstrance into the assembly for that purpose. Are there any liturgical guidelines that would apply to this subject? – N.P., Los Angeles
Answer: This is a relatively recent phenomenon and would appear to be an extension of the widespread practice, in certain cultures, to touch, caress and kiss, images of Christ, Our Lady, and the saints.
Only in recent decades has this practice extended to touching the tabernacle and the monstrance. Beforehand, not only would the design of churches have made it nigh on impossible to easily approach a tabernacle or a monstrance, but these were held in such great reverence that it would not have crossed anyone’s mind to do so.
Some writers have opined that this phenomenon demonstrates a lack of faith in the Real Presence. Personally, I doubt this is the case. But it is indicative of a certain lack of formation on the part of the faithful and of priests who facilitate this practice.
Another suggestion was that it might be an unforeseen consequence of the faithful touching the host while receiving Communion in the hand. Again, I would have my doubts that this is relevant.
The ritual contexts of Communion and adoration in the tabernacle or monstrance are related but different. Also, we sometimes find this practice of touching the tabernacle or monstrance in countries that do not practice Communion in the hand.
From the point of view of the norms I have been unable to find precise rules on this subject in the universal documents. That should not be surprising, however, as the universal legislation in canon and liturgical law simply describes how the rites should be carried out and does not try to anticipate abuses.
We can say with confidence that there is nothing in the universal rites that would allow for the tabernacle and much less the monstrance to be touched. These documents recall the need for the tabernacle to be solid and inviolable, and only foresee that it be approached by an authorized minister.
Something similar can be said regarding the monstrance with the added proviso that when the ordained minister carries it during a procession or for Benediction, he does not touch it with his hands but uses a special vestment called a humeral veil.
It is nowhere foreseen that anyone other than an authorized minister may approach the tabernacle or the monstrance, and hence the rites never contemplate the possibility of the tabernacle or the monstrance being touched by the faithful.
While there is little specific in the universal laws, some dioceses have issued local norms and guidelines to address, and generally discourage, this kind of practice.
For example, the Archdiocese of New York in 2017 issued “Guidelines for the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass.” Regarding a particular situation it said:
“Eucharistic Exposition and Prayer Services for Healing
“It should be noted that the practice of processing through the church with the exposed Blessed Sacrament at prayer services for healing in order that the faithful might touch the humeral veil of the celebrant in imitation of the hemorrhaging woman who touched the hem of Christ's garment in the Gospels is not envisioned by the Church's liturgical books. Pastors should remind sick members of their congregation that the reception of Holy Communion is the preeminent way for them to enter into communion with Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. As well, those who suffer from serious illness should be encouraged to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Lastly, the sick who are able may be invited to regularly spend time with the Lord in prayer during Eucharistic exposition and be present for benediction with the Blessed Sacrament.”
Note that this referred to touching the humeral veil, much less would it be considered proper to touch the monstrance.
The Archdiocese of Yucatán in Mexico also addressed this issue in 2017 with a decree of “Liturgical Regulations Regarding Eucharistic Worship and the Sacramentals.” We offer a translation from the original Spanish:
“B) WITH REGARD TO EUCHARISTIC WORSHIP.
“It is known that in the communities where the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Holy Spirit has a notable presence a custom has spread which is foreign to Eucharistic worship, that is, to touch the monstrance where the Most Holy Body of the Lord has been exposed, at times even encouraged in this practice by the priests or deacons themselves.
“This contradicts the millennia-old tradition of the Church, which has always preserved the greatest love and respect for the Eucharistic species. That is why the Church reminds us of the [correct] form of Eucharistic worship: ‘There must be nothing about the appointments used for exposition that could in any way obscure Christ's intention of instituting the Eucharist, above all, to be near us to feed, to heal, and to comfort (HCWEOM [see “Relationship Between Exposition and Mass”]).’ Therefore, this form of abuse should be avoided in relation to the Most Holy Eucharist, so as not to trivialize it and [instead] to exhort God's people to worship and adore the Lord in spirit and truth. The instrumentalization of the Holy Eucharist to move the [emotive] sensibility of the People of God must therefore be avoided.”
Most other guidelines that I have found at the national or diocesan level do not directly address this difficulty; rather, they limit themselves to describe in some detail how the rites should be carried out. None of them make any allowance for anybody other than the authorized minister to touch the tabernacle or the monstrance.
I therefore think it safe to say that this is not an acceptable practice and should be discouraged and discontinued.
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