From the Pastor’s Desk
As the Director of Liturgy for the Diocese of St. Augustine, I get a lot of questions about the sacred liturgy. And sometimes, I get questions from you, the people of the Cathedral. Over the last few weeks many of those questions have had to do with our practice of Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, so let me take this opportunity to answer a question or two.
On weekdays when we begin Solemn Exposition, why is there no blessing at end of Mass? One of the core teachings of the Church about Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is that it is an extension of the worship we offer to God at Mass. So, when Exposition begins immediately after Mass, the Concluding Rite is dropped as a reminder that, in this case, the blessings of the Mass are being extended with Exposition and the Mass has not ended (thus, there’s no Dismissal, either).
Why do you always consecrate a new host for Exposition? People remember the days when a host for Exposition was always kept in the tabernacle. While that can still be done, the Church teaches that the most effective sign of Eucharistic Exposition being a continuation of the Mass is for a new host is to be consecrated at the Mass before Exposition will occur.
Love,
Father Tom