Relics in altars

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Claire_from_DE

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Originally Posted by CIC
*Can. 1237 §1 Fixed altars are to be dedicated, movable ones either dedicated or blessed, according to the rites prescribed in the liturgical books.

§2 The ancient tradition of placing relics of Martyrs or of other Saints within a fixed altar is to be retained, in accordance with the rites prescribed in the liturgical books.

This was posted in another forum. However, the altar in my parish doesn’t have an altar stone in it. The pastor told us that it is no longer required. Can anyone give me an authority for this?
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Claire_from_DE said:
Originally Posted by CIC
Can. 1237 §1 Fixed altars are to be dedicated, movable ones either dedicated or blessed, according to the rites prescribed in the liturgical books.

§2 The ancient tradition of placing relics of Martyrs or of other Saints within a fixed altar is to be retained, in accordance with the rites prescribed in the liturgical books.

This was posted in another forum. However, the altar in my parish doesn’t have an altar stone in it. The pastor told us that it is no longer required. Can anyone give me an authority for this?
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I would guess that you pastor had your altar be a removable altar to avoid this. It generally is not required unless the altar is fixed and not (re)movable.
 
Claire_from_DE said:
This was posted in another forum. However, the altar in my parish doesn’t have an altar stone in it. The pastor told us that it is no longer required. Can anyone give me an authority for this?
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I quoted that (and the GIRM) in this post. I don’t know of anything superseding Canon Law in this case, especially since the latest edition of the GIRM quotes Canon Law about altar stones.

I would ask, politely, for “evidence” of the change in requirement.
 
Br.Rich_SFO said:
I would guess that you pastor had your altar be a removable altar to avoid this. It generally is not required unless the altar is fixed and not (re)movable.
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Sneaky. So they get around the requirement by having a movable altar since it’s ‘proper’ but not ‘required’ to have a fixed one. Not judging, just observing.😉
 
Why in the world would a priest object to having a relic in the altar? I don’t understand this at all…
 
roanoker said:
Why in the world would a priest object to having a relic in the altar? I don’t understand this at all…
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I don’t think they do object to the idea. Part of the problem is obtaining a verifiable first class relic (they can’t be bought and sold, you know). Also, the altar is dedicated or blessed and is itself a symbol of Christ. Our old altar is in a chapel that is used for mass so we couldn’t take out the relic that was in that altar.
 
Actually, the altar stone (about the size of a corporal) is itself the altar, if it is not a fixed altar–traditionally these are build all the way to the ground, or even bedrock, and then the church is build around them.

Because the altar stone can be taken out is what makes it a moveable altar.
 
bpbasilphx said:
Actually, the altar stone (about the size of a corporal) is itself the altar, if it is not a fixed altar–traditionally these are build all the way to the ground, or even bedrock, and then the church is build around them.

Because the altar stone can be taken out is what makes it a moveable altar.
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That doesn’t make sense, that the altar stone is the altar and that it(the altar stone) is a movable altar. Because a movable altar doesn’t require a relic. Well, I guess you could say that all altar stones are movable altars but not all movable altars are altar stones.
 
Claire_from_DE said:
I don’t think they do object to the idea. Part of the problem is obtaining a verifiable first class relic (they can’t be bought and sold, you know). Also, the altar is dedicated or blessed and is itself a symbol of Christ. Our old altar is in a chapel that is used for mass so we couldn’t take out the relic that was in that altar.
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Sadly they are on eBay ALL the time. Any parish should be able to request one from the Holy See for not much money.
 
Claire_from_DE said:
That doesn’t make sense, that the altar stone is the altar and that it(the altar stone) is a movable altar. Because a movable altar doesn’t require a relic. Well, I guess you could say that all altar stones are movable altars but not all movable altars are altar stones.
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In the East, some churches have the relics sewn into what amounts to the corporal…
 
Claire_from_DE said:
Originally Posted by CIC
*Can. 1237 §1 Fixed altars are to be dedicated, movable ones either dedicated or blessed, according to the rites prescribed in the liturgical books.

§2 The ancient tradition of placing relics of Martyrs or of other Saints within a fixed altar is to be retained, in accordance with the rites prescribed in the liturgical books.

This was posted in another forum. However, the altar in my parish doesn’t have an altar stone in it. The pastor told us that it is no longer required. Can anyone give me an authority for this?*
Click to expand...
I would guess your priest is right. I am a Latin Mass catholic. In the opening of the Tridentine our priest bows over the alter and kisses it and says “We Beseech thee, O Lord, by the merits of those of thy saints whose relics are here and of all the saints that thou wouldst vouchsafe to pardon me all my sins. Amen” I have not been to a Novus Ordo mass in 20 years so I am not sure of this but I think that rubric was deleted from the Novus ordo. I have looked at a couple novus ordo missals and see no reference to the relics in the altar. I could in deed be wrong but thats just my take. Probably the only way to know for sure is to get the (name removed by moderator)ut of a cannon lawyer.
 
We are building a new church with a brand new fixed altar. Our Old altar had no relic because it wasn’t permanent altar(mission church).Our new altar-will require a relic-yes they still require it on fixed altars. there is an entire ceremony that goes with it which I am anxious to participate in.
 
juliamajor said:
We are building a new church with a brand new fixed altar. Our Old altar had no relic because it wasn’t permanent altar(mission church).Our new altar-will require a relic-yes they still require it on fixed altars. there is an entire ceremony that goes with it which I am anxious to participate in.
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I have seen that ceremony at St. Mary’s church in Wausau Wisconsin which is under the guidance of the Institute of Christ the king. It is beautiful! You will certainly enjoy it. I am just curious, will there be any plans of a Tridentine mass in your new church?
 
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