Tabernacle Question

[Kanda]

I have a question and haven’t been able to find anything about this on other related threads. If I’ve missed something, I would really appreciate it if you can direct me.

My parish does not keep a tabernacle in the main part of the church. I have never seen it. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even know about tabernacles until I joined up at CAF and started reading posts. I would have to say that this is probably poor catechism… I was baptized only a few years ago as an adult.

This past Sunday, craving to be close to Our Lord, I went to pray in the chapel before mass, thinking surely this must be where the tabernacle is kept. In the chapel there is a row of chairs and kneelers. To the right on a small table along the wall there are the chalices, dishes the host is distributed from (sorry about lack of terminolgy) and the bowl that the alter server holds for the priest to wash his hands with and the purificators. In the front left corner there is a statue of Mary with a kneeler in front of her. Directly in front of the row of kneelers there is a table with a crucifix on it.

Above the crucifix, there is a lock box set into the wall. It is a plain beige metal box with a keyhold in it and the key was in the key hole. There was a dim light next to this mounted to the wall.

My question is if the metal box is the tabernacle? I guess I had assumed it would be, I don’t know… less utilitarian. I expected to be able to see the host.

It is a very small church and the only place I can think of for the tabernacle to be since it is not displayed in the actual church area in plain view.

I was just hoping to get some insight before I go to my priest and start asking dumb questions. Thanks for bearing with me.

 

[AJV]

I think it is quite possible that is the tabernacle since you mentioned the light. There should always be a light burning in front of the tabernacle as a sign of the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

You wouldn’t be able to see the host in a tabernacle. Or usually even the host container (a ciborium).

 

[Kanda]

I think it is quite possible that is the tabernacle since you mentioned the light. There shoudl always be a light burning in front of the tabernacle as a sign of the Real Presnece

Does it have to be in front? This light was off to the right hand side a bit. It was an electric light, but one of those small tear drop shaped bulbs. It had a red cylinder shade over it made of glass or plastic. I think it was supposed to be made to look like a candle.

Oh, and just so you all know… this was my first time in any chapel, so I was really interested in what it was like. I didn’t know what to expect and just kinda drank it all in. Please don’t get the impression that I was looking for things to be wrong or something. I posted all of the details I could remember on here so I could provide all of you with the best information to answer my question. Thanks.

 

[AJV]

Does it have to be in front? This light was off to the right hand side a bit. It was an electric light, but one of those small tear drop shaped bulbs. It had a red cylinder shade over it made of glass or plastic. I think it was supposed to be made to look like a candle.

I meant “near”, rather than “in front”. The red shade sounds like it to me.

 

[stbruno]

No the tabernacle light is close to but not in front of the tabernacle. The only time a tabernacle light is not lit is on Good Friday.All other times, you will find one close to the tabernacle. Welcome home to the Catholic faith!

 

[Sr_Sally]

Yes, you found the tabernacle. Your church might also have a time of Adoration with an exposed host–you can ask your priest about that. But even though you can’t see the host, Jesus is there in the tabernacle and you can go into that chapel and pray in His presence.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I have a question and haven’t been able to find anything about this on other related threads. If I’ve missed something, I would really appreciate it if you can direct me.

My parish does not keep a tabernacle in the main part of the church. I have never seen it. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even know about tabernacles until I joined up at CAF and started reading posts. I would have to say that this is probably poor catechism… I was baptized only a few years ago as an adult.

This past Sunday, craving to be close to Our Lord, I went to pray in the chapel before mass, thinking surely this must be where the tabernacle is kept. In the chapel there is a row of chairs and kneelers. To the right on a small table along the wall there are the chalices, dishes the host is distributed from (sorry about lack of terminolgy) and the bowl that the alter server holds for the priest to wash his hands with and the purificators. In the front left corner there is a statue of Mary with a kneeler in front of her. Directly in front of the row of kneelers there is a table with a crucifix on it.

Above the crucifix, there is a lock box set into the wall. It is a plain beige metal box with a keyhold in it and the key was in the key hole. There was a dim light next to this mounted to the wall.

My question is if the metal box is the tabernacle? I guess I had assumed it would be, I don’t know… less utilitarian. I expected to be able to see the host.

It is a very small church and the only place I can think of for the tabernacle to be since it is not displayed in the actual church area in plain view.

I was just hoping to get some insight before I go to my priest and start asking dumb questions. Thanks for bearing with me.

Your little church must be a popular tourist spot with lots of people coming and going all day long. that is the mauin reason for having the tabernacle in a side room. so people can come and pray with the Blessed Sacrament and not be distrubed by all the traffic through the church. Praying infront of the Tabernacle is just fine He can see you even if you cannot see Him.

 

[jmcrae]

Does it have to be in front? This light was off to the right hand side a bit. It was an electric light, but one of those small tear drop shaped bulbs. It had a red cylinder shade over it made of glass or plastic. I think it was supposed to be made to look like a candle.

Yep, that’s the one!

Not all Tabernacles are ornately made. Some are just very simple metal boxes. Jesus is still Jesus, regardless of how ornate or humble His abode may be, though.

 

[Melanie01]

I find this interesting…in unrenovated churches before Vandalism 2 (vatican2) my church had this type of wall box which I THINK was used for Hosts which were dropped or not pure in matter…this is where they were disposed…anyone know?

 

[jmcrae]

I find this interesting…in unrenovated churches before Vandalism 2 (vatican2) my church had this type of wall box which I THINK was used for Hosts which were dropped or not pure in matter…this is where they were disposed…anyone know?

No. If a Host suffers an accident and cannot be consumed, it goes into a special sink in the Sacristy that goes out right to the ground, bypassing the sewer system. (It would be wrong to put anything other than the Body or Blood of Christ down that sink, of course!) This custom remains unchanged from before Vatican II.

Tabernacles have always been used to reserve Hosts that are going to be consumed later on by the faithful. This custom also remains unchanged from before Vatican II.

 

[Kanda]

Your little church must be a popular tourist spot with lots of people coming and going all day long. that is the mauin reason for having the tabernacle in a side room. so people can come and pray with the Blessed Sacrament and not be distrubed by all the traffic through the church. Praying infront of the Tabernacle is just fine He can see you even if you cannot see Him.

It actually is not a popular tourist spot at all. However, the church is not only the building used for mass, it is also our meeting hall, where all catechism grades are taught, etc. We have been, for several years, trying to raise the money to build a secondary building for all of the non-mass things. We finally did raise the money, but now we are trying to get through city council and what not before we can begin building. Anyways, I assume that is the reason that the tabernacle is set into the quiter chapel - more suitable for prayer.

That last sentence is quite beautiful. Thank you.

 

[Kanda]

Yep, that’s the one!

Not all Tabernacles are ornately made. Some are just very simple metal boxes. Jesus is still Jesus, regardless of how ornate or humble His abode may be, though.

Thank you so much for reassuring me. I don’t care how ornate or simple it is. I just wanted to know. The metal box set into the wall really did throw me off though. My first thought was, “Huh, weird place to put the breaker box!”

 

[KathleenElsie]

Thank you so much for reassuring me. I don’t care how ornate or simple it is. I just wanted to know. The metal box set into the wall really did throw me off though. My first thought was, “Huh, weird place to put the breaker box!”

Some can be quite ornate. The one in our church is like a piece of modern art. Sort of out of place since we are a rather traditional style building. I have seen some that are like models of the building also. But the hanging red lamp is always on and that mean that the Eucharist is inside and this is the important part.

 

[AJV]

No. If a Host suffers an accident and cannot be consumed, it goes into a special sink in the Sacristy that goes out right to the ground, bypassing the sewer system. (It would be wrong to put anything other than the Body or Blood of Christ down that sink, of course!) This custom remains unchanged from before Vatican II.

It is absolutely forbidden to put a consecrated Host or pour the precious Blood directly into the piscina/sacrarium. It must either be dissolved in such a way that the species of bread or wine no longer exist, and the water is then poured; or left to corrupt naturally, until the species of bread/wine no longer exist and then be put into the piscina

The piscina was occasionally set into the wall of the sanctuary.

 

[Melanie01]

It is absolutely forbidden to put a consecrated Host or pour the precious Blood directly into the piscina/sacrarium. It must either be dissolved in such a way that the species of bread or wine no longer exist, and the water is then poured; or left to corrupt naturally, until the species of bread/wine no longer exist and then be put into the piscina

The piscina was occasionally set into the wall of the sanctuary.

…I think this is what I recall seeing…thank you

 

[bpbasilphx]

<< (It would be wrong to put anything other than the Body or Blood of Christ down that sink, of course!)>>

Stale holy water and the first rinsings of altar linens are also poured down the piscina. (Of course, there might be ultra-small particles of the Holy Gifts adhering to these latter until they are rinsed.)

 

[jmcrae]

<< (It would be wrong to put anything other than the Body or Blood of Christ down that sink, of course!)>>

Stale holy water and the first rinsings of altar linens are also poured down the piscina. (Of course, there might be ultra-small particles of the Holy Gifts adhering to these latter until they are rinsed.)

Of course. I am simply meaning that one would not use that sink to wash one’s hands, or to pour out a cold cup of coffee, etc.

And yes, the Sacred Species do need to be dissolved beforehand; absolutely.