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RESERVATION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST

32. The Eucharist must be reserved in the cathedral church and all parish churches of the Archdiocese, and in churches

       or oratories attached to a canonically erected house of a religious institute or society of apostolic life. (CIC 934, §1,

       2o)

33. The Eucharist may be reserved in other churches, oratories, or chapels with the permission of the Archbishop. This

       permission must be obtained in writing. (CIC 934, §1,2o)

34. The Eucharist may be reserved in any rectory where there is a resident priest. However, the Eucharist may not be

       reserved in private homes or residences, even those of priests or religious without the written consent of the

       Archbishop.

35. In places where the Eucharist is reserved, insofar as it is possible, a priest is to celebrate Mass there at least twice

       a month. (CIC 934, §2)

36. It is not licit to keep the Eucharist on one‟s person or to carry it on a journey unless there is a pastoral need. (CIC

       935)
       36.1. When taking Communion to the sick, the minister carries the Eucharist in a pyx or other suitable receptacle.
       36.2. The minister is to make arrangements with the parish and the sick person so that the minister is able to take

                  the Eucharist from the parish or church immediately before going to visit the infirm.
       36.3. It is strictly forbidden to take care of personal business (shopping, bank, restaurants, etc.) while carrying the

                  Eucharist.
       36.4. If, after completing the visitation(s), some consecrated hosts remain, the minister is to consume the hosts

                  before beginning the return trip. If too many hosts are left for consumption, the minister is to take the

                  remaining hosts back to the parish church immediately.
       36.5. Whenever possible, the Eucharistic ministers who will be taking the consecrated hosts to the homebound are

                  to be called forth at mass by the presider after the Communion of the faithful. These ministers are then to be

                  dismissed to take the Eucharist to the sick. The prescriptions of 36.2 are to be observed.
       36.6. Whenever a communicant asks for extra consecrated hosts to be taken to others, the Eucharist is not to be

                  given unless the communicant is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion known to the one who is

                  distributing.

 

37. Unless a grave reason prevents it, the church in which the Eucharist is reserved should be open to the faithful for

       at least some hours each day providing time for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. (CIC 937)

 

38. The Eucharist is to be reserved in only one tabernacle of a church or oratory. (CIC 938)
       38.1. Ordinarily, the Blessed Sacrament is to be reserved in a tabernacle that is visible to the assembly, placed in a

                  prominent, conspicuous, beautifully decorated location that is suitable for prayer. (CIC 938,§2)
       38.2. For safety purposes, the Blessed Sacrament may be reserved in a safer, but appropriate place, especially

                  during the night.
       38.3. To provide for the security of the Blessed Sacrament, the tabernacle should be “solid,” “immovable,”

                  “opaque,” and “locked.” The tabernacle may be situated on a fixed pillar or stand, or it may be attached to or

                  embedded in one of the walls. A special oil lamp or a lamp with a wax candle burns continuously near the

                  tabernacle as an indication of Christ‟s presence. (BUILT OF LIVING STONES 72.2)
        38.4. The key to the tabernacle is to be kept in a safe place.
        38.5. Any renovation of the worship space, including movement of the tabernacle requires consultation with the                         Office of Worship and approval by the Archbishop. See the GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL                     (2010) and BUILT OF LIVING STONES (USCCB, 2000) for further guidance.

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