Another take on the placement of the Tabernacle

[RogerDeCourcy]

Well, what is the reason for tabernacles being moved in the late 20th century? What’s the impetus to do this?

 

[JReducation]

Well, what is the reason for tabernacles being moved in the late 20th century? What’s the impetus to do this?

That’s a fair question. If I were to guess at this, from the reading that I’ve done, it seems that there were two ideas, one of which was not executed correctly.

The one idea was that if the tabernacle was in a place that was dignified, visible and not on the altar of sacrifice, it should be left there. This was possible with the building of a second altar for the sacrifice. In other words, the writings of the Church of the time did not suggest that anyone had to tear down what was already up, just make the adjustments. This is the idea that was not properly implemented.

The other impression that I get from the writings of the time was that new buildings could return to what had been the tradition prior to the birth of the Franciscans, since it was they who introduced the tabernacle front and center, which by the way, seemed to work. In any case, new buildings could be designed as were the monastery churches, where the tabernacle is on a side of the main sanctuary, usually a chapel that is visible from the inside the main naive. This was also poorly implemented, because the newer buildings put the chapels in places that were not as visible as in the monasteries.

What many pastors wanted to do was to create a chapel where the Blessed Sacrament was available for adoration during the day, without having to open the entire church. This was for practical concerns. That is also understandable. If you open a large church all day, you have to cool it or heat it, depending on the weather where one is.

It seems to me, that the solution would be what they are doing today in many parishes. There is a tabernacle in the main church, but that building is locked when not in use and there is another tabernacle in a chapel that is usually adjacent to the parish offices where someone can keep an eye on the traffic, to ensure the safety of the Eucharist and because it’s smaller, it’s less expensive to heat or cool.

A lot of what happened was really a misunderstanding of the documents and a misunderstanding of the two traditions, the monastic tradition and the mendicant tradition. If you visit a chapel or church built by monks or friars, the arrangement is actually very satisfactory. The tabernacle has its place of honor without being on the main altar of sacrifice.

I hope this helps a little.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF