Question
I was recently at a church that was restored and they made a throne for exposition of the blessed sacrament. I thought that this wasn't allowed any more. Could you explain?
--New in New York?
Answer
There are limited uses for a throne for exposition. It is not seen as a permanent structure. In the Order for the Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist [OSEHE], the ritual book for the United States, it states if the monstrance is put on a throne, it may be placed there only if a procession is to follow. At the end of the procession, the monstrance is put on the altar. The procession is at the discretion of the bishop, especially for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. The throne used for this brief period "should not be too lofty or distant" [OSEHE 13, also confer 31, 35 & 36].