Where should the gold box be

[Mrs_Sally]

I am VERY sorry to hear about the things you say are happening.

However, earlier you said the priest sat down for 5 minutes. That doesn’t sound like much of an intermission, and didn’t include hand shaking. Was he talking about the sign of peace and being casual or sarcastic depending on your point of view?

I will pray for your parish and diocese.

 

[down_under]

I am VERY sorry to hear about the things you say are happening.

However, earlier you said the priest sat down for 5 minutes. That doesn’t sound like much of an intermission, and didn’t include hand shaking. Was he talking about the sign of peace and being casual or sarcastic depending on your point of view?

I will pray for your parish and diocese.

I was not clear forgive. No he said literally we will now have an intermission and went physically sat down in the back and started a conversation with a parishioner. I was lost. What do you do with that.

 

[WhiteLeather]

Can someone explain to me how the tabernacle can be a “distraction”???

The main focus of the Mass is the sacrifice celebrated at the altar. Some places have moved the tabernacle away from the central focal point (behind the altar) so that the focus is not distracted during Mass. One would think that with proper catechesis, the tabernacle behind an altar wouldn’t distract from the main focus at the altar.

Secondary to this is that too many parishes don’t follow the Roman Missal instructions that those attending a Mass should receive hosts consecrated at THAT Mass. While a priest MUST receive a host he has just consecrated, the assembly only “should”. Sadly, this diminishes the flow of the liturgy and how it leads to the reception of Communion by the gathered faithful. Too many Catholics see the tabernacle as the place where Communion comes from, rather than where viaticum is kept for the sick and dying.

Unless more clergy are willing to use some of their homilies to catechize, these misconceptions will continue. If that’s the case, one can say that having a side chapel for the tabernacle might be better for a parish. The tabernacle should never be hidden or hard to find, but it does not have to be behind the altar.

 

[St_Hilary]

hey I have not posted here much lately so hello again, anyhow someone told me today at mass in the most authoritative way you might imagine that there was a writing come down from on high more than 5 years ago now requiring all tabernacles to be moved off to the side away from the sanctuary so as not to be a distraction during the mass. This was new to me so I asked the 64 thousand $ question. From who? What was this apostolic teaching called? was it the bishops council or the pope? (she claimed the whole world had to do this) I don’t know the name of the letter. don’t know when it was written other than more than 5 years ago.

does anyone have any idea what this individual is talking about? how could the presence of Christ distract you from the presence of Christ? When was such a letter handed down? anyone have any idea?

thanks I will await your response.

regards

down under (like Australia)

 

[St_Hilary]

St_Hilary:
Ii think it is disrespectful to call the tabernacle a gold box. Out Lord is there both physicallyy and mentally, so please donn’t call it a gold box.

It really is up to the individual priest; some move it on the side altar and lert it remain iin the cednter of the altar.

I have attended so many churches that I see the B[lessed] S[acrament] in the center and some on the side altar.

God bless you

 

[YoungTradCath]

The main focus of the Mass is the sacrifice celebrated at the altar. Some places have moved the tabernacle away from the central focal point (behind the altar) so that the focus is not distracted during Mass. One would think that with proper catechesis, the tabernacle behind an altar wouldn’t distract from the main focus at the altar.

Secondary to this is that too many parishes don’t follow the Roman Missal instructions that those attending a Mass should receive hosts consecrated at THAT Mass. While a priest MUST receive a host he has just consecrated, the assembly only “should”. Sadly, this diminishes the flow of the liturgy and how it leads to the reception of Communion by the gathered faithful. Too many Catholics see the tabernacle as the place where Communion comes from, rather than where viaticum is kept for the sick and dying.

Unless more clergy are willing to use some of their homilies to catechize, these misconceptions will continue. If that’s the case, one can say that having a side chapel for the tabernacle might be better for a parish. The tabernacle should never be hidden or hard to find, but it does not have to be behind the altar.

I am not sure this whole “consecrated hosts from THIS Mass” issue is a huge thing. I mean, should it be so? Yes. Is it preferable in a sense? Yes, the symbolism is rather greater if this is done, especially if one is so erudite as to notice. But it does not strike me that people think “Communion comes from the tabernacle.” I just don’t observe that attitude. It seems profoundly clear, in my experience even from very poorly catechized individuals, that Communion comes “from the Mass,” that is, in better terminology, from the altar of sacrifice.

And on the last issue, catechesis can only go so far. For example, catechesis is often touted as the solution to irreverence and/or cluelessness during Holy Communion where It is allowed to be received standing and in the hand. Yet I’ve seen many blog posts from Latin priests and deacons in which they say that they continuously catechize, remind and even print guidelines on their missalettes and it works for a week or so, but eventually descends into irreverence and cluelessness again. See Deacon Greg Kandra: patheos.com/Catholic/Communion-Rails-Deacon-Greg-Kandra-01-15-2013.html I’m not equating CITH standing to the altar/tabernacle issue, as they are different issues, but catechesis works in some situations–for example, items that are strictly catechetical in nature like Gifts of the Holy Spirit–but doesn’t work in others. I don’t know if this tabernacle/altar issue would be solved by catechesis, nor do I even agree that this issue really even exists and, even if it does, whether it is worth “fixing” in the first place.

 

[WhiteLeather]

I am not sure this whole “consecrated hosts from THIS Mass” issue is a huge thing. I mean, should it be so? Yes. Is it preferable in a sense? Yes, the symbolism is rather greater if this is done, especially if one is so erudite as to notice. But it does not strike me that people think “Communion comes from the tabernacle.” I just don’t observe that attitude. It seems profoundly clear, in my experience even from very poorly catechized individuals, that Communion comes “from the Mass,” that is, in better terminology, from the altar of sacrifice.

And on the last issue, catechesis can only go so far. For example, catechesis is often touted as the solution to irreverence and/or cluelessness during Holy Communion where It is allowed to be received standing and in the hand. Yet I’ve seen many blog posts from Latin priests and deacons in which they say that they continuously catechize, remind and even print guidelines on their missalettes and it works for a week or so, but eventually descends into irreverence and cluelessness again. See Deacon Greg Kandra: patheos.com/Catholic/Communion-Rails-Deacon-Greg-Kandra-01-15-2013.html I’m not equating CITH standing to the altar/tabernacle issue, as they are different issues, but catechesis works in some situations–for example, items that are strictly catechetical in nature like Gifts of the Holy Spirit–but doesn’t work in others. I don’t know if this tabernacle/altar issue would be solved by catechesis, nor do I even agree that this issue really even exists and, even if it does, whether it is worth “fixing” in the first place.

It’s exactly a big thing if the Missal is to be believed. Do we go for empty symbolism over function and form? Too many parishes do, from my experience. I’ve heard people complain that the weekday Mass is too long: “why can’t we just get Communion and leave so we can get to work?”. I’ve heard that Communion for Mass comes from the tabernacle. Not from the prayers and work at the altar, but from the tabernacle.

Can this be fixed by catechesis? Absolutely. I’ve seen it work. Problem is that it also requires a greater reverence and a greater respect for the sacramental act of the Mass to do it right. It’s just easier to take the shortcuts. Otherwise, one could easier argue that we don’t need so many priests, we need more deacons. Have the priest preside at the first Mass of the weekend, consecrate lots of hosts, then move on and the deacons hold Communion services for the rest of the weekend. If it’s mostly about receiving Communion, that would solve the problem.

But if the Mass is the summit and fount of our prayer life, why not do it right? Why not do it rite?

 

[down_under]

Ii think it is disrespectful to call the tabernacle a gold box. Out Lord is there both physicallyy and mentally, so please donn’t call it a gold box.

It really is up to the individual priest; some move it on the side altar and lert it remain iin the cednter of the altar.

I have attended so many churches that I see the B[lessed] S[acrament] in the center and some on the side altar.

God bless you

We obviously got off on the wrong foot so let me clarify in the spirit of charity with no sarcasm involved the tabernacle is substantially made of GOLD as required by the cannon. You can look this up and tell us which particular rule and where it states it if you like, or you can trust me it says something remarkably similar to that. (precious metal is likely the phrase) any who went into a catholic church and did not know the name of it (many poorly catechised Catholics) would call it that. Yes the Lord is both physically and mentally (body blood soul and divinity) present this is the reason the mere apparent disrespect of moving it from center is a discussion worth having. No disrespect intended.

[edited]

And have a nice day.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

Now for the ignorant (me) please explain the short hand BS it is not clear to me what you meant, I ask only because I don’t know.

And have a nice day.

Based on the context, I would guess that St. Hilary means Blessed Sacrament