Eugene had some insightful comments on the proper placement of the Tabernacle in the Church in a previous thread. This is a rather "hot" topic in most parishes and in particular, our Parish. I appreciate the idea of a Tabernacle chapel and believe that it is the most respectful design concept.

As a Catholic convert who comes to the Catholic tradition with a Lutheran background, I tend to see things in a rather questioning viewpoint. My personal background is in Design, I am fascinated by the reduction of truth into it's most essential elements and then redefining the look, so as to make the viewer see the essential truth in a way that they had not seen before.

I don't want to speak out of line, especially when speaking of essential elements of truth. It is my understanding, in our diocese that there are four items that are essential in each Church sanctuary. These essential elements are to be put in a place of promenance and all other competing elements are to be limited, so that the area is a holy place, without distractions.

The four essential elements are:

The Table

The Ambo

The Presidential Chair

A Crucifix

Other Liturgical decorations come into the mix. Symbolism as to the Liturgical Season, the Liturgical color and items of necessity, such as a table for the items used in the course of the mass, such as the book, chalice, cups and holy water.

What do your parishes do in terms of the Sanctuary space. What do you see as the essential elements of this space?

-- Leon (vol@weblink2000.net), April 26, 2003

Answers

The Crucifix or Easter Candle

-- Leon (vol@weblink2000.net), April 26, 2003.

The Tabernacle should be instantly recognizable and in a place of honor in every Church, not shoved off to the side and very difficult to find as it is im any Church's these days.

-- Karl (parkerkajwen@hotmail.com), April 26, 2003.

But, it is not a required element of the sanctuary?

-- Leon (vol@weblink2000.net), April 26, 2003.

Leon

You asked: 'What do your parishes do in terms of the Sanctuary space. What do you see as the essential elements of this space?'

In my parish we have the Tabernacle in the most prominent position in the Sanctuary. It's high up on a ledge at the back of the sanctuary, on the marble back of the original 'high altar'. The tabernacle is surrounded by six brass candlesticks, three on either side, and also flowers on either side. Two sanctuary lights burn, high up on the wall, one on either side. Above the Tabernacle is a large crucifix. There is also a stand to the right of the tabernacle where another crucifix is placed when the altar server carries it in during the procession at the beginning of Mass.

Further forward from the original 'high altar' we have the marble altar which the priest uses today. Flowers are also placed in front of the altar.

We also have the table you mention for holding necessary items such as the chalice and ciborium. There's a marble Lectern on which of course sits the Lectionary. On the steps leading up to the altar we have the bells to be rung during different parts of the Consecration, and at the top of the steps sits the Paschal Candle.

Just inside the sanctuary, inside the altar rails,which are also marble, we have a further crucifix on the wall.

As the church is built in the shape of a crucifix a 'Lady Altar' sits to one side of the main Sanctuary area, and a 'Sacred Heart' altar to the other.

I think that all of what we have is essential to the Sanctuary space Leon. However, in many churches here the altar rails have been removed, for good sound reasons. I personally like the look of the altar rails, but if they were to be removed then I wouldn't have a problem with that.

God bless Sara

-- Sara (sara_catholic_forum@yahoo.co.uk), April 26, 2003.

Sounds like a beautiful worship space. Do you know what your Diocese calls for? I would be interested to know, are all items that you mentioned considered essential, by the diocese, for the sacramental space?

I believe that our church had essentially what you describe when it was first constructed. It of course, has since been remodeled when the altar was moved forward and it lost some of it's original character. We are beginning the process for another remodeling in which we hope to regain some of the original style. I don't think we will go back to the side altars or the original high altar, but we do want to eliminate some of the clutter and distracting elements that have crept in.

The Church was originally Romanesque style, but the remodeling added some dated 60's modern and it's worn out it's welcome. The church has also been painted and carpeted with a lot of yellows and gold which seem to overpower the liturgical colors. We hope to quiet the color scheme to make the space more flexible.

-- Leon (vol@weblink2000.net), April 27, 2003.