Relics on the altar at Mass

[thomas_jd]

No, I’m saying that, per the law, fixed altars shall have relics placed in them (according to the ancient traditions). So if there isn’t a relic placed in a fixed altar, that pastor is messing up. And, since it’s in canon law, the parishioners have recourse (if they at all care about it…which is increasing doubtful when one looks at the combination of heterodoxy and ignorance that runs rampant these days)

“Under the altar” is acceptable! See your above post.

 

[newyorkcatholic]

No, I’m saying that, per the law, fixed altars shall have relics placed in them (according to the ancient traditions). So if there isn’t a relic placed in a fixed altar, that pastor is messing up. And, since it’s in canon law, the parishioners have recourse (if they at all care about it…which is increasing doubtful when one looks at the combination of heterodoxy and ignorance that runs rampant these days)

Ok, thanks for clarifying that. Makes sense.

 

[newyorkcatholic]

At the small SSPX chapel I used to attend, there were two sets of relics present on the ‘steps’ of the altar where the candlesticks are placed. They were held in what looked like small monstrances. As an altar server I used to turn the mini-monstrances around before Mass so that the relics were visible.

I can’t say I’ve been to any other Roman Catholic churches with relics displayed this way.

We don’t have relics all the time on the gradines (the ‘steps’) but we do have a priest who brings two within those monstrance-like reliquaries for special Masses (like our recent Pontifical Mass).

I love that the incensation is done differently when there are relics above the altar.

 

[Leon_Bloy]

Unfortunately, most of the OF altars in my diocese do not have relics in them. A new altar was installed in one parish and the conservative priest found relics to place inside and he told me that people down at the diocesan office thought it was strange for him to do that.

• PAX

I think this is supposed to be done by the bishop - inserting the relics (usually when he consecrates the altar at the Church dedication).

St. Augustine once wrote upon the discovery and placement in a church of St. Stephen’s relics that “we haven’t built an altar to the relics of Stephen, but with the relics of Stephen have built an altar to God.”

 

[Leon_Bloy]

No, I’m saying that, per the law, fixed altars shall have relics placed in them (according to the ancient traditions). So if there isn’t a relic placed in a fixed altar, that pastor is messing up. And, since it’s in canon law, the parishioners have recourse (if they at all care about it…which is increasing doubtful when one looks at the combination of heterodoxy and ignorance that runs rampant these days)

Canon law no longer requires a relic to be in the altar, though it’s a laudable practice.

 

[markomalley]

“Under the altar” is acceptable! See your above post.

Sure. No question.

But without relic = not acceptable if it’s a fixed altar