Tabernacle use for storing relics

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rp00005

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Hello,
Are there any rules that apply to using a tabernacle to store relics? I rescued a tabernacle from a closed parish in Newark NJ, which I brought back and placed on a table next to a side altar. The chapel has a high altar with a tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament present, so I am using this tabernacle to store the many relics that the chapel has. Someone told me that you cannot use this in this way. Is this a proper use? Thanks.
 
I’m guessing a bit here, but if you’re not using it to store the Eucharist and instead just store relics, then its not a tabernacle per se and I don’t know any reason why you cannot do this. My guess is its wrong if its used to store both the Eucharist and the relic at the same time. But if this one is not the tabernacle of the parish and only holds the relics, then why not?

Also, on another note, relics are bodies of saints. The Eucharist is the Body of Christ. Aren’t bodies of saints supposed to be one with the body of Christ?
 
Thanks for your reply,
I have seen relics also stored in side altars, but never in the main tabernacle; maybe a religious brother/preist can give us some direction as to why the relics are not permitted with the Holy Eucharist. Even the relic of the true cross is not placed in the main tabernacle. Another question, if the tabernacle is where the Eucharist is kept, then what do you call the tabernacles in the side altars? Thanks.
 
Do you have the authority to be deciding on what artifacts are placed in your church?

I think you should be consulting your priest on this matter.
 
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