What can be placed on the altar?

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bknebel

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Hello All!

I was having a discussion tonite with a good friend of mine regarding what can be placed on the altar of sacrifice (not altar of repose).

Our parish has two adoring angels that were placed there this past week and I was wondering if this is ‘legal’ according to church customs.

we also have two more identical angels on the high back altar (altar of repose, with tabernacle) and this i feel is the proper place for the angels.

Let me know soon!

Basil

PS- yes, i check new advent and got nothing.
 
It is my understanding that nothing should be on the Altar except for the offering “bread and wine” to be consecrated, placed at the time of the offertory and the Liturgy of the Eucarist . Of course permitted is the mantel covering the Altar but,
No Missal, no candles, no flowers. (papers and pens, notes etc.)

After communion the Altar is to be once again left with nothing on it.
 
There are specific instructions about what can be placed on the altar and when.

From the 2002 General Introduction to the Roman Missal (GIRM) which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :

“305. … Floral decorations should always be done with moderation and placed around the altar rather than on its mensa.
306. Only what is required for the celebration of the Mass may be placed on the mensa of the altar: namely, from the beginning of the celebration until the proclamation of the Gospel, the Book of the Gospels; then from the Presentation of the Gifts until the purification of the vessels, the chalice with the paten, a ciborium if necessary, and, finally, the corporal, the purificator, the pall, and the Missal. In addition, microphones that may be needed to amplify the priest’s voice should be arranged discreetly.
307. The candles, which are required at every liturgical service out of reverence and on account of the festiveness of the celebration (cf. above, no. 117), are to be appropriately placed either on or around the altar in a way suited to the design of the altar and the sanctuary so that the whole may be well balanced and not interfere with the faithful’s clear view of what takes place at the altar or what is placed on it.
308. There is also to be a cross, with the figure of Christ crucified upon it, either on the altar or near it, where it is clearly visible to the assembled congregation. It is appropriate that such a cross, which calls to mind for the faithful the saving Passion of the Lord, remain near the altar even outside of liturgical celebrations.”
 
CALDE said:
It is my understanding that nothing should be on the Altar except for the offering “bread and wine” to be consecrated, placed at the time of the offertory and the Liturgy of the Eucarist . Of course permitted is the mantel covering the Altar but,
No Missal, no candles, no flowers. (papers and pens, notes etc.)

After communion the Altar is to be once again left with nothing on it.
Click to expand...
“No Missal” ???
How in the world would the priest be able to say Mass if there were no Missal on the Altar? Is he expected to have memorized the entire Canon and every single prayer for that day’s Mass?

You are mistaken in your interpretation.

The Altar is allowed at least:
the Missal
Candles
(St. Peter’s Has Statues (and Papal Tiara’s Back in the Day), The Crucifix
and the Host, Chalice, Corporal, Etc.
 
Thanks, all.

I did find the GIRM online and it sounds like if the adoring angels are not causing a distraction or in the way, that they are allowed.
 
Our priest made a cell phone call from the altar once just as Mass started and then kept the phone on the altar (not an emergency situation). Not sure, but my guess is cell phones shouldn’t be placed on the altar, regardless of ring mode. :rolleyes:
 
I see from the reading of the GIRM above that certain items ARE allowed on the altar…Everyone always jumps on this and say nothing is allowed…

Microphones always come to my mind…I have seen the candles as well…
 
Elzee- i’d say no on the cell phone… haha unless God was calling… but he has his own ‘wireless’ network… called prayer!

Knight- i’d agree with you. i don’t think w’ed ever want to see a cluttered altar, but something with simple taste may be allowed and not take away from the beauty of the liturgy and the awesome fact that upon that altar of sacrifice our Lord and God is made present at every Mass!
 
Our priest made a cell phone call from the altar once just as Mass started and then kept the phone on the altar (not an emergency situation). Not sure, but my guess is cell phones shouldn’t be placed on the altar, regardless of ring mode. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I am hoping that this was a joke. :bigyikes:
 
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