A New Type Of Tabernacle?

[Purificator]

I was thinking about an ideal design for a tabernacle. It would be a tiny room, gorgeously appointed with a nice shelf for ciborium(s) holding the Blessed Sacrament, a hanging eternal light (oil or a candle) and a giant monstrance (like Mother Angelica’s) that would display the Blessed Sacrament, 24/7.

This would be a highly secure room with a single vault door for entry. It would also have a large picture window that would allow the entire contents of the room to be displayed. The glass would be made of the most bullet-proof glass or polycarbonate available. There is some stuff out there that will stop a 30-06 rifle at point blank range. That’s what I would specify.

While such a tabernacle would technically contravene the GIRM (with the transparent window), it would also allow Jesus to be on exposition while also being reposed in a secure environment – an environment that could be made to be far more secure than most tabernacles currently in use.

This tiny room (AKA “tabernacle”) would be situated inside a small chapel with maybe room for two dozen people to pray. This is one place where I would not follow the GIRM so that more people could be exposed to Jesus Christ in “secure” exposition.

1. In accordance with the structure of each church and legitimate local customs, the Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is truly noble, prominent, readily visible, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.

The one tabernacle should be immovable, be made of solid and inviolable material that is not transparent, and be locked in such a way that the danger of profanation is prevented to the greatest extent possible. Moreover, it is appropriate that, before it is put into liturgical use, it be blessed according to the rite described in the Roman Ritual.

 

[Purificator]

It appears my idea is nothing new. I received a private note from someone who has a similiar set-up in their parish. Nice.