I know that it is not good to leave the blessed sacrmanet alone. But to what extent? I have an hour in our chapel that it is my responsibility to stay with it. Is it a sin to leave it alone or be a few minutes later or leave before someone esle gets there? Yesterday I got there and before entering the room with the chapel there is a bathroom in the hallway and i used it briefly and the person there befroe me left before I got on the room. It was then about 4 minutes past our switching time. Was this no big deal since I was in the building right next to the Blessed Sacrament?
Then late at night there is a doorbell that rings when the new person comes so people can let eachother in because they lock the building after 9 PM. So there are at least 10 to 100 seconds each hour nobody is in the chapel with Jesus. Is this a problem, or does being in the chapel if even not in the exact room count as good enough that someone is accounting for the adoration of Jesus even if something comes up like using the bathroom or a medical emergency or neding to let someone in the building. '
And if it is wrong, how serious of a wrong is it? (grave or just a simplefault)
brian wrote: I know that it is not good to leave the blessed sacrmanet alone. But to what extent?
To the extent of disrespect. The Blessed Sacrament should not be left alone exposed when no one is present (meaning in the vicinity, not necessarily in the room) because then it is being ignored. Also, it should not be left vulnerable to sacrilege.
Leaving the room momentarily to go to the bathroom or to admit someone else is not ignoring the sacrament, so it is not a problem.
____________________ Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
