Tabernacle placement

[rc8]

I belong to a church where the tabernacle is hidden in a lillte chapel at the back of church. Recently, I asked the pastor about moving it to the front of the church. He said that he would love to but could not make that change without approval from the Worship Office of our archdiocese. Apparently, he brought this up with them and they rejected the idea telling him not to ask again. There is ample room and it would involve minimal cost.

I have written to this worship office before when our previous pastor gave a sermon about how we should stand not kneel during the consecration because we should not be adoring the Eucharist during mass. The reply I got back was insulting and demeaning saying that I was asking them to be some type of liturgical police.

Needless to say, I won’t get very far with them. Does anyone have any ideas on how to proceed so that our church can have the tabernacle where it should be???

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

If your pastor doesn’t have the authority to make the change or ability to convince the commission to change its decision, then how can you expect to convince them? I think you’re setting yourself up for frustration.:banghead:

 

[scylla]

There is not much you can do, just be faithful and pray. Spread devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, as this is what many want to destroy. They do not want devotion and respect for the Blessed Sacrament and your devotion will go a long way toward squashing that agenda and denial of Jesus.

Ever so often when I want to entertain myself, I call my worship office at the diocese and respectfully ask them a question.
Here is a quick question to ask the [edited] Diocese Office, "Looking at Redemptionis Sacramentum says that we shouldn’t pour the Precious Blood and only pour before the consecration. Should I serve at Mass in my parish as it doesn’t follow Redemptionis Sacramentum? The gyrations and anger they come back with is funny and sad at the same time. (this is diocese wide, so I know they don’t care about Redemptionis Sacramentum, they just get angry when it is revealed)

In the same way a little exposure goes a long way. Promote devotion and ask questions. Is Jesus the center of our faith? They do not want you to ask questions like this as it makes them uncomfortable.

One beautiful thing about being Catholic is, if you are faithful, you don’t have to be afraid of anything.

In Christ
Scylla

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Actually, I would be delighted if we had a Blessed Sacrament chapel. You can’t really pray before or after mass in my parish because of the way people are talking to each other. I know they don’t know any better and neither do the priests but it is so disturbing. The priest feels it is fellowship and makes the parish a welcoming place which is what Jesus wants.

Although I grew up in the '50’s, it does make sense to me to have a chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved for adoration. In larger cathedrals this is a long-standing practice.

 

[smcl]

Is the chapel for the tabernacle well lit, maintained,decorated with flowers or used by the parishioners? We have both. I prefer the tabernacle to be in the church.

My church was recently renovated and my priest also believes in the social aspect of our Mass. ( I do not) It is very upsetting when the church is too noisy to pray after Mass.

Our new tabernacle is the first thing you see when you enter the church. It is placed in a beautiful, hand carved piece of furniture designed just for this purpose. The problem: It is right in the path of people when they are entering and leaving the church. When I am praying at the tabernacle (only one kneeler fits) people literally walk between me and the tabernacle. I have also seen people socializing right next to it and leaning on it. This situation has always upset me. I am relieved other people feel similarly.

Oh! The altar is much higher than the tabernacle. Isn’t the tabernacle supposed to be as high as the altar?

Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus please guide us to discern and know your will.

susan

 

[Joe_Kelley]

We have the Tabernacle in a separate chapel, parallel to the main church but separated by glass. This works particularly well since we have 24-hour adoration on the 4-5th and Friday-Saturday. Adoration can continue while there are other activities in the main church, e.g. wedding rehearsals Friday evenings.