Tuesday of Holy Week
April 15,2014

Question of the Day

Can the Blessed Sacrament be exposed for adoration on Holy Thursday during the day?

The answer to your question is a simple "no." Mass is only celebrated on Holy Thursday evening with the Mass of the Lord's Supper. This is followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for a period not exceeding midnight. The same holds true for Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Adoration would be possible again on Easter Sunday after the Mass(es) are celebrated.

Why do some parishes empty the holy water fonts and replace the water with sand  during Lent? Is this permitted?

Again, the same simple answer applies - "no." According to the liturgical rubrics, the holy water fonts are to be emptied prior to the Mass of the Lord's Supper. They are filled again after the last Mass is celebrated on Easter Sunday.

In many dioceses the Chrism Mass is celebrated on a day prior to Holy Thursday. This is permitted in order to allow as many priests and lay faithful to gather around their bishop as the Holy Oils to be used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders are blessed. Please pray for all priests as they assemble with their bishop to renew their priestly promises.