Tabernacle Placement

[WilliamR786]

I’ve been wondering this question for a while and never thought of asking. I’ve seen the tabernacle placed in a few different places. I’v seen the tabernacle placed off to the side in the main sanctuary, directly behind the altar in the main sanctuary, and even placed in the chapel. Does anyone know the correct place for the tabernacle (if there is one)?

 

[MidnightSun12]

I do know about official rules, but in my opinion the tabernacle belongs front-centre in the church. The reason being is that our masses should be centred around Christ and not a person such as a priest/minister like you might have during a protestant service.

 

[adrift]

I’ve been wondering this question for a while and never thought of asking. I’ve seen the tabernacle placed in a few different places. I’v seen the tabernacle placed off to the side in the main sanctuary, directly behind the altar in the main sanctuary, and even placed in the chapel. Does anyone know the correct place for the tabernacle (if there is one)?

I believe that all the placements mentioned are acceptable.

Code of Canon Law 938 states that:

The Most Holy Eucharist is to be reserved habitually in only one tabernacle of a church or oratory.

The tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved is to be situated in some part of the church or oratory which is distinguished, conspicuous, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.

The tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved habitually is to be immovable, made of solid and opaque material, and locked in such a way that the danger of profanation is avoided as much as possible.

For a grave cause, it is permitted to reserve the Most Holy Eucharist in some other fitting and more secure place, especially at night.

The person responsible for the church or oratory is to take care that the key of the tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved is safeguarded most diligently.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), paragraphs 314 and 315

The Place for the Reservation of the Most Holy Eucharist

In accordance with the structure of each church and legitimate local customs, the Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is truly noble, prominent, readily visible, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.

The one tabernacle should be immovable, be made of solid and inviolable material that is not transparent, and be locked in such a way that the danger of profanation is prevented to the greatest extent possible. Moreover, it is appropriate that, before it is put into liturgical use, it be blessed according to the rite described in the Roman Ritual.

It is more in keeping with the meaning of the sign that the tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved not be on an altar on which Mass is celebrated.

Consequently, it is preferable that the tabernacle be located, according to the judgment of the Diocesan Bishop,

a.Either in the sanctuary, apart from the altar of celebration, in a form and place more appropriate, not excluding on an old altar no longer used for celebration;

b.Or even in some chapel suitable for the faithful’s private adoration and prayer and which is organically connected to the church and readily visible to the Christian faithful.

Hope that answers your question.

 

[pilots13]

Yea, my impression is all those locations are fine via church rules. I for one think the Tabernacle should always be in the front somewhere, either behind the Altar or off on a side Altar. It really bothers me when churches build these separate chapels and rooms for the Tabernacle. I understand what they are trying to do, but I feel it makes the Tabernacle a secondary feature of the church, when honestly it’s probably #2 behind the Altar itself.

 

[curlycool89]

I’ve been wondering this question for a while and never thought of asking. I’ve seen the tabernacle placed in a few different places. I’v seen the tabernacle placed off to the side in the main sanctuary, directly behind the altar in the main sanctuary, and even placed in the chapel. Does anyone know the correct place for the tabernacle (if there is one)?

Br. JR gave a larger explanation (it’s a good historical overview, you should read it), but I’ll see if I can summarize what I’ve read from him.

The Tabernacle behind the main alter (in the case of a freestanding alter) is a Franciscan tradition, while having the Tabernacle in a separate chapel (or off to the side) is from the Benedictine tradition.

The reason the Tabernacle behind the alter became popular was because of the influence of the Franciscans. Where the Benedictines were the main influence, you’ll see the Tabernacle in a side chapel because that’s a very monastic thing.

Both are appropriate. Personally I like the separate chapel, it allows for a little more intimate prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament instead of being in a big huge area.

 

[mab23]

 

[adrift]

Yea, my impression is all those locations are fine via church rules. I for one think the Tabernacle should always be in the front somewhere, either behind the Altar or off on a side Altar. It really bothers me when churches build these separate chapels and rooms for the Tabernacle. I understand what they are trying to do, but I feel it makes the Tabernacle a secondary feature of the church, when honestly it’s probably #2 behind the Altar itself.

I understand why but I don’t like it either.
Two Churchs that I have seen that I did not like one had a floating tabernacle made of glass. This was changed and now it is on a side altar.

The other Church has the tabernacle in a glass room in the back of the Church near the entrance at least the tabernacle isn’t glass.

Our Church had the tabernacle on the side altar. About a year ago it was moved to the center.

 

[couponfit]

I’ve been wondering this question for a while and never thought of asking. I’ve seen the tabernacle placed in a few different places. I’v seen the tabernacle placed off to the side in the main sanctuary, directly behind the altar in the main sanctuary, and even placed in the chapel. Does anyone know the correct place for the tabernacle (if there is one)?

it’s placed based on space and design. It really matters if the church is pre-vatican II, and if the church has a true permanent sanctuary that is west to east with a baptism and confession side.

 

[WilliamR786]

Thank you for your answers, I’m glad to hear the majority of the churches I’ve been to have been correct.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

In our church the tabernacle is in an adoration chapel. It is parallel to the church but separated from it by a glass wall.

We have 24-hour adoration Friday morning to Saturday morning. This way we can have the adoration while there are wedding rehearsals in the main church.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

I have observed that most Catholics do not not know to what or when to genuflect. In our parish as you enterdown the center aisle the alter, tabernacle (in a recess) and crucifix are all in the same line. Thus most parishoners forget they are genuflecting toward the tabernacle. Its about 1/3 say crucifix, 1/3 tabernacle and 1/3 alter. And when the tabernacle was empty during holy week the amount of geneflecting was staggering. CCD teachers drill that into the childrens head. I try to do that.

 

[OraLabora]

Yea, my impression is all those locations are fine via church rules. I for one think the Tabernacle should always be in the front somewhere, either behind the Altar or off on a side Altar. It really bothers me when churches build these separate chapels and rooms for the Tabernacle. I understand what they are trying to do, but I feel it makes the Tabernacle a secondary feature of the church, when honestly it’s probably #2 behind the Altar itself.

At St. Peter’s, the tabernacle is in a side chapel. At our local Benedictine monastery it is in a side chapel as well. This a tradition over 1000 years old. What is correct is that proper reverence be shown to the Blessed Sacrament wherever it is. When going to Mass at our monastery, I try to go to the chapel for 15-30 minutes of silent adoration and prayer before Mass. If I arrive late, I will stop by and make proper reverence before returning to the nave of the main church and taking my pew. It is of course helpful that this side chapel is to a beautiful (but in Benedictine tradition, austere) design, and extremely conducive to prayer.

What was incorrect was the wholesale destruction or allowing to fall into disuse the beautiful old high altars in churches that had one. That was never mandated by Vatican II, but rather by folks with an agenda. However if a local parish has a strong Benedictine presence it’s likely that the tabernacle will be off in a side chapel. Monastic influences are part of our history and rich tradition to be embraced, not scoffed at. It probably helps one’s disposition to learn the history of one’s church: who founded it, who designed it (for example Dom Paul Bellot, a famous Benedictine architect), etc.

I’m glad to see that the high altar at the cathedral in Chicoutimi, Quebec, was rescued from the basement, restored and returned to its former location in the sanctuary; hopefully this sort of restoration of churches to their original configuration will be a trend.

 

[Corki]

The other Church has the tabernacle in a glass room in the back of the Church near the entrance at least the tabernacle isn’t glass.

Although, I think its technically licit since the tabernacle is in a prominent place, this is my least favorite set up. We have a Church near my old office with the glass tabernacle, in a glass room, at the back of the Church. You have to turn 180 degree, with your back to the altar, to genuflect before entering the pew. It’s nuts.