Blogger Priest

The most prominent piece of furniture in a Catholic church is the altar. It is consecrated by a bishop with special ceremonies. The Sacrifice of the Mass is offered on this altar. Placing the gifts upon the altar signifies handling them over to God. The altar symbolizes Christ in the Catholic religion. It is incensed and the priest kisses it as a sign of respect. During the days of persecution, Christians met to worship in private homes where a table was used as an altar, lest a formal altar betray the identity and presence of Christians. Christ instituted the Mass for the Church upon just such a table on Holy Thursday. Up into the fourth century, Christians also often celebrated upon the tombs of the martyrs. This custom gave rise to the practice of having a saint’s relics under or in every altar. These are usually sealed in the altar stone. By the sixth century, Mass was celebrated in churches on stone altars. Later altars were built in the apse of churches so that people were both behind and in front of the celebrating priest. Many of us are acquainted with the tabernacle being on the altar. In an effort to mark the difference between the various presences of Christ, the tabernacle was separated from the altar in the reformed liturgy. This distinguished the sacrificial activity of Christ made present from the abiding presence in the tabernacle. This was not done to discourage visitation and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; rather, it was only to emphasize the differences. Unfortunately, some who renovated churches after Vatican II placed the tabernacle in very obscure places. This is gradually being remedied. In any case, let us be grateful to the Lord, both for the re-presentation of his death and resurrection on the altar and for his being with us in the reservation of the Sacrament in the tabernacle.

Filed under: Awalt Papers |