An Aumbry vs. a Tabernacle?

[bben15]

Hi. I posted this last night, but it is not on the sub-forum. I apologize to the moderator if this was deleted purposefully, but please tell me so I do not post this again.

In the Middle Ages, an aumbry was often used to store the Eucharist, as well as other vessels. I read that it is cabinet connected to the wall, and its use is now forbidden.

I read that the Eucharist can only be stored in a tabernacle, but there are tabernacles in sacristies that look like cabinets. Plus, they are connected to a larger cabinet that holds vestments and other vessels, and it is connected to the wall (like the one pictured below).

What exactly is the difference between an aumbry and a tabernacle, and why are aumbries forbidden today? On the top is a picture of an aumbry in a cathedral built in the Middle Ages.

God bless you for answering my question.

 

[andrewstx]

In the Catholic church an aumbry is a place to store the oils used in the sacraments. Oil of the sick and holy Chrism. The tabernacle is used for the Body of Christ.

I was an Anglican before converting and to Anglicans tabernacle and aumby are used interchangably. I would say that aumbries are more common among them than a stand alone tabernacle on an altar.

 

[Filioque]

It is true that sometimes the terms were used interchangebly. In England there were sometimes towers in the Sanctuary where the Blessed Sacrament was reserved. In the Early Church and even a few today who have never changed, the Blessed Sacrament was reserved in a metal (usually gold covered) dove that was suspended or hung above the altar. Prior to the reforms of Pope St. Pius X, few people received communion daily or even on Sundays. Almost never during Mass.

The storage you see in the vestment cupboards is to hold the chalices and ciboria as well as other items like monstrance and pyx under lock and key, when not used. Later the Church mandated that a safe be used. The Church protects them because they hold the Body and Blood of our Lord, and we want to protect them from desecration. Also as most are made of silver with a gold veneer or plating and sometimes have precious stones, which makes them tempting to thieves.

Under grave circumstances the Blessed Sacrament could be removed to the Sacristy or Rectory, and always to a safe and respectful place there. Hopefully to another tabernacle. This could be if the Church was desecrated, or if the Church was to hold a secular concert or event, or if the Church was being used as a site for filming, either a movie or documentary.