3/6/2021
 |
| Martini, "Maesta" |
CIC 934 (Cont’d)
The second part of this canon’s first paragraph indicates that churches, oratories and chapels other than the types of churches previously described require the bishop’s permission for the reservation of the MBS.
The canon’s second paragraph refers to a person responsible for the MBS reserved in the sacred places. It explicitly states “there must always be someone responsible for it.” It then makes explicit mention of the need for a priest to celebrate the Mass there twice a month. This is in order to ensure that the hosts reserved are kept safe from the danger of beginning to spoil.
This second paragraph does not oblige explicitly here that the one responsible for the reservation of the MBS must always be a priest. But the addition of the twice-monthly requirement for refreshing the species always obliges some direct, ongoing association with some priest.
CIC 935
This canon excludes as “not lawful” that anyone should keep the MBS in his personal custody or carried around. The circumstance of urgent pastoral need observing the bishop’s prescriptions is excepted.
What reason would anyone have to keep it in personal custody or to carry it around? This introduces the question of both popular and individual piety.
