4/3/2021
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| Duccio, "Harrowing" |
’29 doesn’t really go into the injuries and profanations concerning the MBS, at all. Or does it? Prevention and safe-keeping is certainly the focus of ’38. Is this because the specifics of this matter were merely alluded to, insufficiently addressed, or otherwise left as un-dealt with in ’29?
I think so. There is, off the top of my head, reference to proper veneration during the time the MBS is in the sepulcher. There’s the express direction of keeping linens scrupulously clean so as not to mistake small fragments of particles for wax, there’s mention of the three-sided outdoor altar setup so as to avoid particles being blown away by the wind. While these are not direct acts of intentional profanation, they do regard safe-keeping. They do invite the question of safe-keeping in general. ’29, then, serves as a helpful prelude to the discussion. Perhaps a closer look at it will help us appreciate ’38 more fully.
’29.
A brief overview before a closer look.
We’re looking, in ’29, at: an intro; three main questions; nine resulting prescriptions; a simple conclusion.
The intro opens with affirmations promoting Eucharistic faith and piety. These are from Scripture, Tradition and the recent Magisterium.
Next, it states how the Church has always safeguarded the consecration, reception and reservation of the MBS by preventing abuses with “the greatest care.”
By way of contrast, already we can identify consecration and reception as themes which ’38 did not deal with. Of course, it dealt with reservation thoroughly.
