The Mass is the central prayer of the Church. The bread and wine offered at each Mass becomes the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. It is not surprising, then, that devotion should develop to worship God in the Blessed Sacrament outside of Mass. The Church is careful, however, to remind the faithful that any Eucharistic devotion should have its origin in the sacrifice of the Mass and should lead people back to the liturgy.
There are four forms of Eucharistic devotion that focus on the presence of Christ reserved in the Blessed Sacrament: exposition, benediction, processions, and congresses. We will not be dealing with congresses when the Archbishop comes to share this devotion with us.
EXPOSITION—Adoration of the Eucharist
Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in tabernacles in churches around the world. Many Churches keep their doors open so that people can come to pray in the presence of Jesus himself.
The Eucharist normally resides in the tabernacle, but to heighten awareness of the Blessed Sacrament, it can also be exposed to the view of the faithful during special times. A consecrated Host is placed in a monstrance so that it is visible to those who have come to pray. The monstrance is an ornate holder for the Blessed Sacrament used for exposition, benediction and processions.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament may occur at specific times—for example, on the first Friday of each month, or daily from just after the completion of the morning Mass until sundown, or here at Saint Thomas Aquinas on Monday’s from the beginning of school until 3:00, or when the Archbishop visits Saint Thomas Aquinas for this Eucharistic Devotion.
A benediction is a blessing, so benediction as a Eucharistic devotion is a blessing using the Blessed Sacrament. It occurs in the context of Eucharist exposition, usually at the end of a time of exposition.
Benediction begins with the priest placing the Blessed Sacrament on the altar for a time of devotion (if it is not already in place for adoration). A hymn of praise is sung, for example, the Latin Hymn “O Salutoris Hostia” (“O Saving Victim”). The priest incenses the Blessed Sacrament as the congregation prays quietly.
The time of adoration that follows may include communal hymns and prayers, as well as Scripture readings and a homily. After the period of prayer and adoration, the priest again incenses the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance or ciborium. Again another Eucharist Hymn is sung, such as “Tantum Ergo” (“Sing, My Tongue, the Savior’s Glory”).
The priest then blesses the congregation with the Blessed Sacrament. While wearing the humeral veil, he holds the monstrance or aloft and makes the sign of the cross with it. The Divine Praises are often sang after this blessing is given (“Blessed be God. Blessed be his holy name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man…”) Following the Divine Praises, the Eucharist is returned to the tabernacle to conclude the devotion.
The Eucharistic processions that have occurred in the past have become a source of devotional joy to many Catholics. In recent years, there has been a renewed spirit to participate in these Eucharistic Processionals. A Eucharistic procession proclaims that Christ dwells with men through his unique presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
Typically during a Eucharistic procession the Blessed Sacrament is placed in a monstrance using the humeral veil to demonstrate the sacredness of what he holds. Incense is used throughout the procession. Eucharistic hymns are sung as the procession travels through the church. The devotion normally ends with benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. After benediction, the service ends with a Eucharistic procession as the monstrance is returned to the tabernacle.
Adapted from “Catholic Customs—A Fresh Look at Traditional Practices by Regis J. Flaherty, St. Anthony Messenger Press, Cincinnati, Ohio, Copyright 2002