The Church distinguishes between adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and adoration with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (outside of Mass) occurs when we come before the tabernacle which contains the Blessed Sacrament. If the Blessed Sacrament is removed from the tabernacle and placed in a ciborium, pyx or monstrance then adoration will take place with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. In both cases the adorer is in the presence of the Lord as the Blessed Sacrament. Exposition is not a case of being able to "see" the host. As stated above, the Blessed Sacrament may be in the ciborium or pyx and still be "exposed." The fact that the Blessed Sacrament is removed from the tabernacle in a prescribed way for a liturgical rite, which includes adoration, constitutes the definition of exposition. In reverence, we genuflect on one knee whether the Blessed Sacrament is exposed or in the tabernacle.
We are making changes to our Blessed Sacrament Chapel to bring our practice in line with the liturgical documents of the Church (Vatican, US, and Diocesan) and Canon Law (which instructs us to follow these documents). Although we have had perpetual adoration with exposition for many years, the proper norms have not been followed. In this we were not at fault, but simply lacked the proper guidance. In consultation with the Diocesan Theologian, Liturgist, and Judicial Vicar, our Bishop has now promulgated norms for adoration and exposition. With this guidance now available to us, we as faithful Catholics are bound to listen to the wisdom of the Church and follow her instruction.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is not intended as a private devotion. It is a rite flowing from and toward the Mass. In the words of the Vatican's liturgical document, Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass: “In such exposition care must be taken that everything clearly brings out the meaning of eucharistic worship in correlation with the Mass." This is why exposition is a liturgical rite of the Church and is regulated by liturgical norms. Canon law states that exposition requires that "the norms prescribed in the liturgical books are to be observed." (Canon 941) It further states in Canon 942 that exposition "is to be held, however, only if a suitable gathering of the faithful is foreseen and the established norms are observed." It is clear that the Church sees this rite as a communal experience and not a means simply for private prayer. This being the case, the Church regulates exposition to preserve its relationship with the Mass and thus its communal and liturgical character for the gathering of the faithful.
After Easter we will be reserving the Blessed Sacrament permanently in the tabernacle of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Although perpetual exposition will cease, perpetual adoration, with the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, will continue with specific hours of exposition. Below is our new schedule. Remember:
Christ * is present in the tabernacle and we encourage you to come and worship him in private prayer at any time. You are also invited to join the rite of exposition following Masses each day of the week as indicated below.
*Notice that all the documents say Christ, not Jesus the Person