Where does the sanctuary begin?

[Brendan_64]

I have a question as to where exactly does the sanctuary begin in a church without altar rails.

If the church has a large area where the first step is (where altar rails probably would be if there were any) and then a smaller area on the second raised step where the altar and tabernacle are, then where does the sanctuary begin? On the first raised step, or on the second raised step?

This is an issue in my parish for reasons I’d rather not go into.

Can anyone give a definitive answer?

 

[corsair]

Its rather hard to give a “blanket” answer as so many modern churches are of many different designs. I would ask your priest to answer the question for you.

 

[kkollwitz]

I would say the first step up is in the sanctuary, but it will depend on how that first is used, if it indeed has a use. One way I’d decide is: when people bring up the offertory, they should hand it to the priest before they enter the sanctuary.

 

[Sunbreak]

I’m not sure there is a definitive answer about the step or steps going up to the main platform. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) says:
“295. The sanctuary is the place where the altar stands, the Word of God is proclaimed, and the Priest, the Deacon, and the other ministers exercise their functions. It should be appropriately marked off from the body of the church either by its being somewhat elevated or by a particular structure and ornamentation.”
So, is the first step part of the sanctuary elevation or just a step going up to the sanctuary? Who knows. It seems subject to interpretation.

 

[Brendan_64]

I would say the first step up is in the sanctuary, but it will depend on how that first is used, if it indeed has a use. One way I’d decide is: when people bring up the offertory, they should hand it to the priest before they enter the sanctuary.

The offertory is given in front of the first step, so I guess that would make the first step the start of the sanctuary.

I’m not sure there is a definitive answer about the step or steps going up to the main platform. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) says:
“295. The sanctuary is the place where the altar stands, the Word of God is proclaimed, and the Priest, the Deacon, and the other ministers exercise their functions. It should be appropriately marked off from the body of the church either by its being somewhat elevated or by a particular structure and ornamentation.”
So, is the first step part of the sanctuary elevation or just a step going up to the sanctuary? Who knows. It seems subject to interpretation.

It would be the first step then, since the lectern is on the first step and that is where the Gospel is proclaimed.

 

[pianistclare]

In our parish, lay people commonly call anything inside the church itself “sanctuary” but the priest and Deacons refer to the entire elevated part at the front.

 

[Digitonomy]

I’ve wondered about the same question in regard to the church where I grew up. It had an altar rail, but there were also chairs for the lectors behind it, which I assume were not properly in the sanctuary.

 

[Chatter163]

In our parish, lay people commonly call anything inside the church itself “sanctuary” but the priest and Deacons refer to the entire elevated part at the front.

Calling the entire interior of the church the sanctuary is a Protestant usage, not Catholic. Since I moved to the South, I have noticed many Catholics using the term in this erroneous way. I chalk it up to the fact that the vast majority of church-goers here are Protestants, especially evangelical Protestants.

 

[SMHW]

I have a question as to where exactly does the sanctuary begin in a church without altar rails.

As others have said, the sanctuary is supposed to be set off from the rest of the Church by a rail or by elevation or some means.

It’s really hard to say in my parish church because the altar is the **only **thing that is raised. The ambo and the priest’s chair aren’t. And the church is round with seating all the way around.

There truly is no clear distinction between the sanctuary and the rest of the nave.

 

[Brendan_64]

My other question then is if there are only a few members of the congregation present at a Mass is it acceptable that they sit in the sanctuary for the Mass?

 

[Joan_M]

My other question then is if there are only a few members of the congregation present at a Mass is it acceptable that they sit in the sanctuary for the Mass?

No. Only the ministers should be in the sanctuary.

 

[Brendan_64]

No. Only the ministers should be in the sanctuary.

Where is this stated?

 

[TimothyH]

Regardless of where the sanctuary begins, there really is no reason for 99.9% of the people to ever go up the first step.

Reader going to the ambo to read, an usher placing the offerings at the foot of the altar, extraordinary minister - these have the privilege of being allowed up the steps along with the priest, deacon, servers and emcee. There is no justifiable reason for anyone else to go up even the first step.

***It is contrary to sound religious psychology to relocate the sanctuary from time to time in the course of the year or to place chairs for the faithful in it. **

• Peter J. Elliot, Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite, par. 50. *

-Tim-

 

[G_S]

The lector’s and the EMHC’s NOT sitting in the sanctuary actually helps to emphasize their lay state and the extraordinary nature of their participation. To seat them in the sanctuary seems to say that they are special and better than mere, ordinary lay people. For a lector or EMHC to come into the sanctuary at the appropriate time helps to emphasize the universal call to holiness.

 

[Brendan_64]

***It is contrary to sound religious psychology to relocate the sanctuary from time to time in the course of the year or to place chairs for the faithful in it. ***

• Peter J. Elliot, Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite, par. 50.

-Tim-

I appreciate the reference, but without reference to Church instruction, this just represents that author’s opinion. Are there any specific references from Church instruction or teaching that relate to this?

 

[SKWill]

It is contrary to sound religious psychology to relocate the sanctuary from time to time in the course of the year or to place chairs for the faithful in it.

• Peter J. Elliot, Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite, par. 50.

I don’t have access to a copy of Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite right now to see what citations accompany that paragraph, but in the meantime, will you accept the author’s teaching authority as Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, Australia and his reputation as a liturgical expert?

 

[TimothyH]

I appreciate the reference, but without reference to Church instruction, this just represents that author’s opinion. Are there any specific references from Church instruction or teaching that relate to this?

I realize that you are looking for an official Church document. I cannot provide that.

While Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite is not an official Church document, it is also more than just the author’s personal opinion. SKWill cited Most Rev. Peter J. Elliott’s credentials. His works, if not universally accepted, are widely accepted by his brother Bishops. The only footnote in paragraph 50 pertains to the sanctuary being “clearly delineated” and it references the relevant sections of the GIRM.

Again, I realize that this is not good enough for what you want, and absent an authoritative document, you might want to contact the Office of Divine Worship at your diocese. Many here in my Archdiocese refer to the ODW as “The Liturgy Police.” They would certainly be an authoritative source.

-Tim-

 

[Brendan_64]

I don’t have access to a copy of Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite right now to see what citations accompany that paragraph, but in the meantime, will you accept the author’s teaching authority as Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, Australia and his reputation as a liturgical expert?

I may, but others may not. That is why we need always to go back to primary sources.

I realize that you are looking for an official Church document. I cannot provide that.

While Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite is not an official Church document, it is also more than just the author’s personal opinion. SKWill cited Most Rev. Peter J. Elliott’s credentials. His works, if not universally accepted, are widely accepted by his brother Bishops. The only footnote in paragraph 50 pertains to the sanctuary being “clearly delineated” and it references the relevant sections of the GIRM.

Again, I realize that this is not good enough for what you want, and absent an authoritative document, you might want to contact the Office of Divine Worship at your diocese. Many here in my Archdiocese refer to the ODW as “The Liturgy Police.” They would certainly be an authoritative source.

-Tim-

Many thanks Tim, unfortunately, I’m not completely confident that my own diocese would be as supportive as they might be in yours. But perhaps I may be wrong in that regard.

Thank you both for your help.

 

[TimothyH]

I may, but others may not. That is why we need always to go back to primary sources.

Many thanks Tim, unfortunately, I’m not completely confident that my own diocese would be as supportive as they might be in yours. But perhaps I may be wrong in that regard.

Thank you both for your help.

Can’t hurt to lob a phone call or letter. Who knows?

My father used to say, “You don’t ask, you don’t get.” Good luck.

-Tim-

 

[Brendan_64]

Can’t hurt to lob a phone call or letter. Who knows?

My father used to say, “You don’t ask, you don’t get.” Good luck.

-Tim-

Indeed, who knows, maybe what is probably the most ‘liberal’ diocese in England might surprise me? Many thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut, I may indeed bang out a letter to them.