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| Duccio, "The Crucifixion" |
One of the main concerns that I currently see regarding exposition of the MBS has to do with the number of the faithful present at any given time. How frequently does it happen that the MBS is left entirely alone? How frequently does it happen that there are only one or two people present? It’s my impression that this happens so frequently, there being so few people present, that it has become the norm. And Father, who is in charge of safeguarding the MBS not only permits it but accommodates it by modifying his own expectations. As long as there’s a signup sheet with a couple of names on it at any given time, that seems to be sufficient for him. But is it? If the signup sheet had forty or fifty names on it for a given time, or twenty or thirty, or even ten or twelve, then perhaps the case could be made there there are sufficient people wishing to participate. But none or one or two? What if someone’s sick, or can’t make it, or running late? Or has to leave early? Or use the bathroom? Or is tired and falls asleep in the middle of their time before the MBS exposed? Should Father then further burden them with the responsibility of finding themselves a replacement at the last minute? All of these contingencies are obviated by Father following the prescriptions laid down and only exposing the MBS for public veneration when there is present a sufficiently adequate if not large number of the faithful.
This may mean that periods of exposition need to occur less frequently or to be abbreviated somewhat. But this is in order to avoid the abuse of public exposition before too few of the faithful.
I don’t want this to sound like I’m anti-Eucharistic Adoration. To the contrary. I’m Pro Exposition, as long as it’s done according to the mind of the Church. Healthy, robust promotion of the Lord’s Real Presence and our obligation to adore him there is the mark of a healthy local church. Anemic attendance, frequently very few people there on the other hand is a sign there is little honoring of the MBS going on in the place. This may already be evident, but is there really need to highlight it by turning out only too few people for the public veneration of the MBS. This is a responsibility that rests squarely on the shoulders of the pastors, promote Eucharistic piety or lose it.
We’ll next treat the question whether it’s permissible for Father to expose the MBS for his own private devotion. That’s been asked to the SRC and answered.
Image: Duccio, "The Crucifixion"
