These last bits before we get to the rubrics of the Rite of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction give us information on leadership:
91. The ordinary minister for exposition of the eucharist is a priest or deacon. At the end of the period of adoration, before the reposition, he blesses the congregation with the sacrament.
The Church gives a hierarchy of options if the clergy aren’t available or able:
In the absence of a priest or deacon or if they are lawfully impeded, the following persons may publicly expose and later repose the eucharist for the adoration of the faithful:
a. an acolyte or special minister of communion;
b. upon appointment by the local Ordinary, a member of a religious community or of a pious association of laymen or laywomen which is devoted to eucharistic adoration.
With lay people, there is no Benediction:
Such ministers may open the tabernacle and also, as required, place the ciborium on the altar or place the host in the monstrance. At the end of the period of adoration, they replace the blessed sacrament in the tabernacle. It is not lawful, however, for them to give the blessing with the sacrament.
I’ve never been aware of any of my bishops designating vesture for this:
92. The minister, if he is a priest or deacon, should vest in an alb, or a surplice over a cassock, and a stole. Other ministers should wear either the liturgical vestments that are used in the region or the vesture that is befitting this ministry and is approved by the Ordinary.
We finish up with instructions on when to use cope and humeral veil, and when the humeral veil alone is appropriate:
The priest or deacon should wear a white cope and humeral veil to give the blessing at the end of adoration, when the exposition takes place with the monstrance; in the case of exposition in the ciborium, he should put on the humeral veil.
Next we’ll get to the eight sections (93-100) which describe the actual rites for exposition and benediction. They will be relatively brief compared to the quantity of text (82-92) which introduces the rite.
Any comments, questions, or concerns before we move ahead?
Catholic Sensibility 