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Guides to Eucharistic Practices outside of Mass

Exposition:
1. 1. Necessary items:
    
    Monstrance
    
    Cope
    
    Humeral Veil
    
    Thurible/Incense
  2. Preparation:
    
    The altar should be set up with a corporal placed at the center of the altar upon which the monstrance is placed prior to the celebration. Four to six candles should be placed on or near the altar flanking the monstrance but should not obstruct the view of the monstrance. No altar cross should remain n the altar during exposition.
  3. Minister:
    
    The ordinary minister for exposition of the Eucharist is a priest or deacon. The minister should wear an alb or cassock/surplice, white or festive cope with stole.
    
    An instituted acolyte or EMHC may also expose the blessed sacrament. They would wear an alb, cassock and surplice, or whatever is approved by the bishop or pastor.
  4. Rite of Eucharistic Exposition
(outside of Mass)
1. 1. The people gathered in the church may begin with a Eucharistic hymn as the celebrant processes into the sanctuary led by servers (thurifer/cross/acolytes with candles).
    
    The celebrant genuflects upon entering the sanctuary as usual. If he is a priest or deacon, he puts on a humeral veil. He transfers the Eucharist from the tabernacle to the monstrance already on the altar.
    
    The celebrant genuflects, moves in front of the altar, removes the humeral veil (if priest or deacon), and kneels.
    
    A suitable hymn is sung (O salutaris is traditional here) while the celebrant incenses the Blessed Sacrament.
    
    After a time for silent prayer, the celebrant may they withdraw in silence.
(at the conclusion of Mass)
1. During the distribution of Communion the monstrance is placed upon the center of the altar and left on the altar. The Blessed Sacrament from the Communion Rite is reposed in the tabernacle. However, the host to be placed in the monstrance is placed at this time.
2. The celebrant concludes the Communion Rite with the Prayer after Communion.
3. The celebrant genuflects, moves in front of the altar, and kneels.
4. A suitable hymn is sung (O salutaris is traditional here) while the celebrant incenses the Blessed Sacrament.
5. After a time for silent prayer, the celebrant may they withdraw in silence.
Benediction
1. Necessary Items:
  1. Cope/Stole (White or Festive)
  2. Humeral Veil
  3. Thurible/Incense
2. Preparations:
  1. Humeral Veil and Incense should be place in a readily accessible location in the front of the sanctuary.
3. Minister:
  1. Priest or Deacon vested in alb or cassock/surplice, white or festive cope with stole.
4. Rite of Eucharistic Benediction:
  1. Toward the end of Exposition, the celebrant goes before the altar, genuflects, and kneels.
  2. A Eucharistic Hymn is then sung (traditionally Tantum ergo) and the minister incenses the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the monstrance.
  3. The celebrant hands off the incense, stands and prays:
Let us pray,
Lord Jesus Christ,
You gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death. May our worship of this sacrament of your Body and Blood help us to experience the salvation you won for us and the peace of the kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
(other suitable prayers can be used, see n.98 in Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist outside of Mass)
1. 1. The priest then puts on the humeral veil, genuflects, moves to the altar, and, with the monstrance, makes a sign of the cross over the people in silence. The Blessed Sacrament may be reposed at this time.
    
    As is the custom in the United States, the priest may return to his place in front of the altar, remove, the humeral veil, kneel, and lead the people in the Divine Praises. After this he would stand and repose the Blessed Sacrament.
Eucharistic Procession
1. Necessary Items:
  1. One or two thuribles with incense
  2. Torches if desired (4-6)
  3. Canopy
  4. Monstrance
  5. Humeral Veil
2. Preparations
  1. During communion, a second thurible may be prepared in the sacristy in preparation for the procession.
  2. The route of the procession should be established beforehand with any necessary permits received.
  3. Persons involved in the procession should know their roles and make ready at communion for the procession.
3. Minister
  1. Priest
4. Act of Procession
  1. At communion, the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the monstrance and left on the altar.
  2. After the Prayer after Communion, the priest invites all involved in the procession to move to their appropriate places, namely:
    
    Cross
    
    Two acolytes with candles
    
    Thurifer(s)
    
    Canopy bearers
    
    Torch bearers
  3. The priest moves to his place in front of the altar and all kneel.
  4. A suitable Eucharistic hymn is sung while the celebrant incenses the Blessed Sacrament.
  5. The priest receives the humeral veil and retrieves the monstrance from the altar with the assistance of deacons or MC.
  6. The priest waits while the procession forms (see diagram) in the aisle of the church.
  7. When all are ready, the procession begins. During the processions, hymns of praise may be sung. Incense should constantly be present before the Blessed Sacrament.
  8. During the procession, stops may be made at suitable places (altars, etc.) and benediction may be done.
  9. Upon reaching the church of final destination on returning to the original church, the procession returns to the sanctuary (the canopy does not enter the sanctuary).
  10. The celebrant should wait for all the people to gather in the church. Then benediction occurs as usual if this is the conclusion of the liturgy. If more time for exposition is planned. The priest and servers leave the sanctuary in silence.