A reader writes:

Hi Jimmy, A few of us in our parish are trying to get Eucharistic Adoration established in our parish (Prince of Peace) and it has been a difficult road so far. We have a new pastor (6 mo) who is a Cannon Lawyer but is willling to listen to us. In the past our previous pastor wouldn’t even consider it. Our parish doesn’t even own a monstrance.

Our parish has a huge debt (almost a million dollars) left by the previous pastor and we are not allowed to have any sort of fund raising for a monstrance until this is eliminated. Msgr.wants all resources to go the reduction of the debt.

Sorry for the long backgroud story, here is my question. They (the Worship commission and Msgr.) maybe willing to let us have once a month adoration (with Eucharist in the ciborium) if we can show them just how we will open and close our day and who will be responsible for this. Where can I go to find the proper prayers for the opening and closing of Adoration?

Okay, permit me to be pedantic for a moment. What you’re talking about isn’t just Eucharistic adoration. I know that people always say that, but technically what you’re talking about is Eucharistic exposition. You can have Eucharistic adoration any time you like by simply adoring Jesus in all the Tabernacles of the world. You don’t even have to open your eyes or get out of bed to do that. You are wanting the Eucharist to be exposed for the adoration of the faithful–which is great! I’m just pointing out a terminology issue. Sometimes people semi-consciously absorb the idea that they can’t adore Jesus in the Eucharist if it isn’t exposed, which is not true.

As to what prayers need to be said, the document that needs to be consulted is called Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass, which is contained in The Rites, vol. 1 (a book well worth getting) or you can just

DOWNLOAD IT OFF THE DIOCESE OF FARGO’S WEB SITE. (WARNING! Evil file format [.pdf]!)

When one consults the document, one finds this:

EXPOSITION

93. After the people have assembled, a song may be sung while the minister comes to the altar. If the holy eucharist is not reserved at the altar where the exposition is to take place, the minister puts on a humeral veil and brings the sacrament from the place of reservation; he is accompanied by servers or by the faithful with lighted candles.

The ciborium or monstrance should be placed upon the table of the altar which is covered with a cloth. If exposition with the monstrance is to extend over a long period, a throne in an elevated position may be used, but his should not be too lofty or distant. After exposition, if the monstrance is used, the minister incenses the sacrament. If the adoration is to be lengthy, he may then withdraw.

94. In the case of more solemn and lengthy exposition, the host should be consecrated in the Mass which immediately precedes the exposition and after communion should be placed in the monstrance upon the altar. The Mass ends with the prayer after communion, and the concluding rites are omitted. Before the priest leaves, he may place the blessed sacrament on the throne and incense it.

ADORATION

95. During the exposition there should be prayers, songs, and readings to direct the attention fo the faithful to the worship of Christ the Lord.

To encourage a prayerful spirit, there should be readings from scripture with a homily or brief exhortations to develop a better understanding of the eucharistic mystery. It is also desirable for the people to respond to the word of God by singing and to spend some periods of time in religious silence.

96. Part of the liturgy of the hours, especially the principal hours, may be celebrated before the blessed sacrament when there is a lengthy period of exposition. This liturgy extends the praiseand thanksgiving offered to God in the eucharistic celebration to the several hours of the day; it directs the prayers of the Church to Christ and through him to the Father in the name of the whole world.

Also, one should note that the document provides that:

91. The ordinary minister for exposition of the eucharist is a priest or deacon. At the end of the period of adoration, before the reposition, he blesses the congregation with the sacrament.

In the absence of a priest or deacon or if they are lawfully impeded, an acolyte, another special minister of communion, or another person appointed by the local Ordinary may publicly expose and later repose the eucharist for the adoration of the faithful.

Such ministers may open the tabernacle and also, as required, place the ciborium on the altar orplace the host in the monstrance. At the end of the period of adoration, they replace the blessed sacrament in the tabernacle. It is not lawful, however, for them to give the blessing with the sacrament

From this one may conclude (a) that laity may expose and repose the Blessed Sacrament (just in case there were to be any confusion on this point, as there sometimes is) and (b) there are no specific prayers that are required.

That being said, you might want to check out the book Order for the Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist. It may contain useful resources as well, though I have a little hesitancy in giving it a full thumbs up because I haven’t looked at it myself and the publisher (Liturgical Press) sometimes includes non-authoritative documents alongside authoritative ones without adequately noting the difference. Still, if I were engaged in setting this up in my parish, I’d get a copy . . . but then read it carefully with an eye to what’s definitely authoritative and what might not be.

We have people lined up (2-3 per hour) who want to participate.

Cool!

I was told this was" presumptious" on my part to line up people when it hasn’t been approved yet.

Ihh. You’re doing a feasibility study.

We wanted once a week from 10-4pm to start but it looks like they may approve only once a month.

Well, you take what you can get and then try to build from there.

Good luck!