Placement of the Tabernacle in Church

[Adonia]

I was out of my state last weekend and went to Mass in a different parish. The church I attended did not have the Tabernacle in the main church area. I asked someone where it was and they said it was off in the small chapel area. This just does not seem right to me. Shoudn’t the tabernacle be located in the main area?

 

[OraLabora]

I’m no expert on the matter but I noticed at Mass on Tuesday morning that one elderly gentleman genuflected deeply to the altar, then walked right past the tabernacle, and genuflected deeply to a crucifix… missed the tabernacle altogether.

One has to assume invincible ignorance… he did look like a pious man.

 

[thomas_jd]

Canonically the tabernacle was in the correct spot.The consecration taking place in front of a tabernacle with previously consecrated hosts is not what the bishops feel is the proper location. I personally pray the tabernacles will be returned to the center of the altar.

 

[Newbie2]

Our church was designed with the tabernacle in its own area off to the side of the altar, like a little chapel. It’s great for those who want to go and pray there.

Recently, there is a bit of an “architectural movement” that tends to be placing the tabernacles back into the area of the sanctuary, back behind the altar. Personally, I can see both sides of the discussion of where it is place; it really doesn’t matter to me.

 

[benedictgal]

For whatever it’s worth, here is what Redemptionis Sacramentum says:

1. The Reservation of the Most Holy Eucharist
   [129.] “The celebration of the Eucharist in the Sacrifice of the Mass is truly the origin and end of the worship given to the Eucharist outside the Mass. Furthermore the sacred species are reserved after Mass principally so that the faithful who cannot be present at Mass, above all the sick and those advanced in age, may be united by sacramental Communion to Christ and His Sacrifice which is offered in the Mass”.219 In addition, this reservation also permits the practice of adoring this great Sacrament and offering it the worship due to God. Accordingly, forms of adoration that are not only private but also public and communitarian in nature, as established or approved by the Church herself, must be greatly promoted.220

[130.] “According to the structure of each church building and in accordance with legitimate local customs, the Most Holy Sacrament is to be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is noble, prominent, readily visible, and adorned in a dignified manner” and furthermore “suitable for prayer” by reason of the quietness of the location, the space available in front of the tabernacle, and also the supply of benches or seats and kneelers.221 In addition, diligent attention should be paid to all the prescriptions of the liturgical books and to the norm of law,222 especially as regards the avoidance of the danger of profanation.223

Here is how Pope Benedict XVI explained the location of the Tabernacle in his book, the Spirit of the Liturgy:

Communion only reaches its true depths when it is supported and surrounded by adoration. The Eucharist Presence in the tabernacle does not set another view of the Eucharist alongside or against the Eucharistic celebration, but simply signifies its complete fulfillment. For this Presence has the effect, of course, of keeping the Eucharist forever in church. The church never becomes a lifeless space but is always filled with the presence of the Lord, which comes out of the celebration, leads us into it, and always makes us participants in the cosmic Eucharist. What man of faith has not experienced this? A church without the Eucharistic Presence is somehow dead, even then it invites people to pray. But a church in which the eternal light is burning before the tabernacle is always alive, is always something more than a building made of stones. In this place the Lord is always waiting for me, calling me, wanting to make me “eucharistic.” In this way, he prepared me for the Eucharist, sets me in motion toward His return (The Spirit of the Liturgy, p. 90).

I went to St. Louis last year and had my St. Mary Magdalene moment when I entered the college parish of St. Francis Xavier. It was a beautiful church, but, I had a hard time finding the Tabernacle. Like St. Mary Magdalene, I felt as though someone had taken my Lord and hidden Him away. After some time, I found Him off to the side with little to no lighting. The altar was “modernized” and looked more like a small table than the altar of Sacrifice. As a priest friend of mine once said, it was as though the “vandals” had gotten hold of this lovely church and ruined it.

A wedding party was just arriving and they made a lot of noise. It was really sad and quite disappointing. After hearing so many good things about St. Louis, this particular church was a disappointment, until I found out that this was the home-base for the infamous St. Louis Jesuits. Upon learning this, I was not surprised.

 

[Julian0404]

Uncertain if it was by Canon or Tradition, but I read that the Tabernacle was to be the highest point of the altar such that no man or priest stood or sat above it, thus implying that it was beneath them. Many Tabernacles are behind the priest who actually has to go up a step or two to a rear alter to reach the Tabernacle, thus ensuring that it is always at the higest point.

However, I have read about the architectural change of late, and in some circles it is being laid at the feet of protestant architects - do not know if that is true, just that it was expressed in the aritcle. The article simply declared that architects who were not of the faith, would not design the church building to “reflect” the presence of God, but rather the presence of the preacher. And that is exactly what is happening. Even in a few of the Catholic Churches I attend, the Tabernacle is tucked away on the side, where the priest is now walking down from the alter to reach it.

I know of one church where it so far along the side wall it was almost to the very back of the church. Fortunately enough of the parisheners complained, that an addition to the main alter was constructed and it was moved to the main alter at a point higher than the priest. And this was even more significant because this Tabernacle was a beautiful duplicate of the Ark of the Covenant.

As lay person, I think it is important to express to the Bishop the need to move “Jesus” back to the center and highest point on the alter. Silence is acceptance.

 

[bpbasilphx]

It was not unheard of even before Vatican II to have the Mysteries reserved in a chapel separate from the High Altar.

This was especially true in Cathedrals or monasteries, where the canons or religious would regularly recite the Divine Office. (Notice in the movie THE NUN’S STORY where there is apparently a separate Chapel of Reservation.)

This was also done for the sake of reverence in large pilgrimage or “tourist attraction” churches for the sake of reverence. Those who really wished to pray before the Tabernacle could do so in the Chapel of Reservation, without being disturbed by sight-seers.

Were I building a church from scratch, I would probably reserve in an Aumbry built into the wall (for security of the Holy Mysteries) above the Proskomedia table. Orthodox tabernacles are rather flimsy.

 

[mwscott]

Even in St. Peters Basilica neither the Papal Altar or the High Altar of the Chair (when it was ad orientum) had tabernacles on them (or on a reredos). There is a massive and beautiful tabernacle (designed by Bernini??) on a side altar behind an iron gate as well as a few other small tabernacles that reserve the Eucharist for Masses said daily at those altars. Like bpbasilphx said, this helps to keep the reservation of the Eucharist in a reverent and respectable place amidst all the tourists.

 

[tobbias88]

This is just another example of Man taking the place of God.
If you go to see the ‘main Event’ you don’t expect it to be hidden in some side aisle.

How much more so for the Lord God? It’s supposed to be His House. Why is he stuck in a corner, while non-believers saunter round camera-clicking & chatting? Do we really believe in the Real Presence or are we ashamed of this fundamental Catholic belief?

Let’s have Jesus up-front in your face 'cos that’s where he’s supposed to be. There is really only one good reason to go into an RC Church or cathedral; that is to pray, worship and adore Jesus Christ. It is not for tourists who should be ( and used to be) stopped politely but firmly at the door.

 

[benedictgal]

Even in St. Peters Basilica neither the Papal Altar or the High Altar of the Chair (when it was ad orientum) had tabernacles on them (or on a reredos). There is a massive and beautiful tabernacle (designed by Bernini??) on a side altar behind an iron gate as well as a few other small tabernacles that reserve the Eucharist for Masses said daily at those altars. Like bpbasilphx said, this helps to keep the reservation of the Eucharist in a reverent and respectable place amidst all the tourists.

But, St. Peter’s is St. Peter’s and not like any other parish in the world. In smaller parishes, this would not work. Corpus Christi Cathedral (in CC, Texas) does not have the Tabernacle up and center, but, to the side, prominently located where you know it’s there. However, the average parish (at least when we were still part of that diocese) had it front and center.

 

[John_Lilburne]

I was out of my state last weekend and went to Mass in a different parish. The church I attended did not have the Tabernacle in the main church area. I asked someone where it was and they said it was off in the small chapel area. This just does not seem right to me. Shoudn’t the tabernacle be located in the main area?

Pope Benedict XVI wrote in the 2007 Sacramentum Caritatis at vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20070222_sacramentum-caritatis_en.html
"The location of the tabernacle

1. In considering the importance of eucharistic reservation and adoration, and reverence for the sacrament of Christ’s sacrifice, the Synod of Bishops also discussed the question of the proper placement of the tabernacle in our churches. (footnote 196: Cf. Propositio 28.) The correct positioning of the tabernacle contributes to the recognition of Christ’s real presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Therefore, the place where the eucharistic species are reserved, marked by a sanctuary lamp, should be readily visible to everyone entering the church. It is therefore necessary to take into account the building’s architecture: in churches which do not have a Blessed Sacrament chapel, and where the high altar with its tabernacle is still in place, it is appropriate to continue to use this structure for the reservation and adoration of the Eucharist, taking care not to place the celebrant’s chair in front of it. In new churches, it is good to position the Blessed Sacrament chapel close to the sanctuary; where this is not possible, it is preferable to locate the tabernacle in the sanctuary, in a sufficiently elevated place, at the centre of the apse area, or in another place where it will be equally conspicuous. Attention to these considerations will lend dignity to the tabernacle, which must always be cared for, also from an artistic standpoint. Obviously it is necessary to follow the provisions of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal in this regard. (footnote 197: Cf. No. 314.) In any event, final judgment on these matters belongs to the Diocesan Bishop."

So in this case there seems to be a failure with regards to “should be readily visible to everyone entering the church”. I think this was only directed in this 2007 document.

 

[tinalewis]

This is a questions I’ve wondered about, too. However, at the minor basilica at Conception Abbey in Conception Missouri, the tabernacle is in a chapel off to the side but accessible by anyone in the main church (anyone can walk directly from one of the aisles to that chapel). They educate a lot of new priests at the seminary there, so they must know what they’re doing!

 

[Adonia]

Well, thanks for the responses friends. Looks like there is a couple explanations for the placement of the tabernacle. Makes a bit of sense both ways, with the main reason for it being placed by itself in a small area for quiet prayer. I would prefer it to be placed front and center, in the main worship area though. Like I said, when I went into this church, the tabernacle was the first thing I was looking for and I immediately saw that it was missing.