Musicals in the Sancturary

[MsCyndee]

I have recently returned to the Catholic Church after many years away. I know there have been many changes regarding what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviors in the sancturary during the mass.

The children in the parish are putting on a non-sacred musical using the sanctuary as a ‘theatre’. This is being done in front of the alter and the crucifix.

Is this acceptable behavior? Are there any church documents relating to the proper use of the sancturary?

 

[DebChris]

This answer has nothing to do with any changes that have occurred in the Church.
The first question I would ask is whether or not the parish has a parish hall or other place where the children can stage their musical.
The church may be the only place with enough seating for the anticipated audience.
The church is not going to remove any permanent features, such as the crucifix, to accommodate the musical, although it may cover it.
As a child growing up on a military post where the chapel was used for many things, I was taught to look for the sanctuary light. That meant Jesus was present in the Tabernacle.
Is the parish moving any consecrated hosts to a different location during the performance? If the hosts are removed, then Jesus (except in the sense that God is everywhere) is not present in the sanctuary and it can be used for other purposes. The sanctuary light will not be lit.
When the pioneers settled in the West, the school house was also used as the community church and courthouse. It’s true that the common denomination was non-Catholic. The principle is the same. A military post may have only one chapel. That chapel is used for services from all denominations and even different faiths.

If you are talking about a presentation during the Mass, then that is a different issue.

 

[benedictgal]

I have recently returned to the Catholic Church after many years away. I know there have been many changes regarding what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviors in the sancturary during the mass.

The children in the parish are putting on a non-sacred musical using the sanctuary as a ‘theatre’. This is being done in front of the alter and the crucifix.

Is this acceptable behavior? Are there any church documents relating to the proper use of the sancturary?

No. This is not.

If you give me a chance, I will find documentation.

 

[Monica4316]

No I don’t think this is allowed…

 

[MsCyndee]

Thank you for your answer. It gave me a different way of looking at this.

I realize now my terminology was incorrect. The tabernacle is in a small Eucharistic Chapel, so this I would assume would be considered the santuary? There are no consecrated hosts kept in the main part of the church (outside of mass).

I am trying very hard not to be judgemental at the things I see that appear disrespectful to Jesus.

 

[MsCyndee]

DebChris

My terminology may have been incorrect. The consecrated hosts are kept in the tabernacle in a side chapel of the church. So from your response that would be considered the sanctuary?

The parish school has a gymnasium.

Thanks.

 

[DebChris]

DebChris

My terminology may have been incorrect. The consecrated hosts are kept in the tabernacle in a side chapel of the church. So from your response that would be considered the sanctuary?

The parish school has a gymnasium.

Thanks.

Your terminology is fine. The altar is in the sanctuary where the Mass is celebrated. If the hosts are removed to a tabernacle in a separate chapel, then the main church can be used for other purposes.

Does the church have enough chairs for the gymnasium? Does it hold other functions such as parish dinners in the gymnasium? There are only two reasons I can think of for using the church if a gymnasium is available. The first is seating. The second is having the children on a stage/platform that is high enough for the audience to see them.

 

[benedictgal]

DebChris

My terminology may have been incorrect. The consecrated hosts are kept in the tabernacle in a side chapel of the church. So from your response that would be considered the sanctuary?

The parish school has a gymnasium.

Thanks.

If you have a school gymnasium, then that is the place where the plays and such should be held. You don’t have it in the sanctuary, regardless where the Tabernacle is located, since this is sacred and holy space.