| What does a altar, side chapel, confession, and a tabernacle look like? and how are they used for worship? and finally what are the reasons behind the use of the objects? |
| Not an easy
series of questions to answer, but I will do my best. I assume the questions
relate to a Christian place of worship and will confine my answers
accordingly. You will find pictures of many items on the Clifton Cathedral website www.cliftoncathedral.org.uk in the menu section refer to the menu on the left of the home page> The Cathedral. Here you will find a series of different pages of text and pictures illustrating various elements in the Cathedral. ALTAR The altar is usually placed in the midst of the people and priests in a prominent place. The Altar represents a number of things, and this may dictate how it is constructed or designed. Historically, the development of art and architecture has had a profound influence on what the altar may look like. The Altar is seen as the altar of sacrifice. It is usually of stone, and may be very solid and a permanent feature within the building. The People of God assemble around the altar which is both a sign of God being present among the people, and also a symbol of the Covenant [ Contract] that God has made between God and the People. It is both enduring and permanent In some respects this is a very Old Testament view of the Altar, but the Altar of the New Covenant also reminds us of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross and his death for our salvation. The Altar is also the table of the heavenly banquet, the location of the Last Supper and the celebration of the Eucharist until the Risen Lord comes again in final judgement. For this reason many altars are more 'table-like' in construction, whether made of stone, wood or other material. For Catholics there is also another item of significance the AMBO, sometimes referred to as the Altar of the Word. This is the place from which the scriptures are read to the assembly. Here the living Word of God is proclaimed in our own time and era. The words of Jesus are announced, both for our edification and to elicit our response. In past times, the altar was often placed against the east end wall of the church building, and may have 'shelves' or ledges upon which candles, flowers or other items, pictures or sculptures were mounted. None of these are appropriate to the altar now, and in fact according to a recent Vatican instruction may not be placed on the altar itself. "Nothing should be placed upon the altar except for an indicated list of what is required for the celebration of Mass. (306) Even flowers are to be arranged modestly and with moderation around the altar but never on top of it. (305)" [ General Instruction Roman Missal 2000 revision][GIRM 2000]. For many the Altar represents Christ present in the midst of his people. For this reason in newer church buildings there is generally only one altar, although there may be a smaller chapel for use in the weekday or for the smaller celebrations. In this location there may also be another altar - see below TABERNACLE SIDE CHAPEL In the past church builders for a variety of reasons may have built additional chapels or small rooms or screened areas within the main body of the church building. Sometimes in medieval times these were places where prominent wealthy families buried their dead, and decorated the chapel accordingly. More commonly, medieval Cathedral and churches had a chapel often located at the eastern end of the building, known as the Lady Chapel, which was dedicated to the veneration of the Mary, the Mother of the Lord. [ Please note the use of the word 'veneration' which is distinct from worship which is due only to God. ] In the late Middle Ages, in the great abbey or religious house, the church might have had a multitude of massing altars around the abbey church, so that the monk priests could celebrate daily mass before going to the fields or library, or to their places of work. In newer Catholic churches, you may find as in the Cathedral at Clifton a Blessed Sacrament Chapel, wherein you will find the TABERNACLE -see below. This chapel is used for private prayer, for the weekday celebration of the Eucharist, for smaller weddings and funerals. Here the Sacrament is reserved for the sick and the dying. TABERNACLE From earliest Christian time it was the custom to retain some of the Holy Eucharist bread after the Mass, and this available for use during the weekday in the time before mass began to be celebrated on days other than Sunday. The Sacrament was sometimes hung in a decorated cloth bag in the apse of the church, usually with a candle or lamp burning close by as a sign of the living presence of Christ. Communion was then taken to the sick or the dying. It is likely that fairly early on, the Sacrament was locked in a secure place in the wall, or sometimes in a free standing locked cupboard. This was called a Tabernacle and was often veiled with a white cloth. The Tabernacle, particularly when covered by the cloth was tent-like and reminded the user of the Tent of Meeting referred to in the Old Testament. The place where Moses or the other leaders met with God and conversed with the Lord on their journey. The symbolism for the Christian of the present day tabernacle being the place of meeting, the sign of God's dwelling among the people is clear. The Tabernacle is usually sited in a side chapel - see above. In which case this is the Blessed Sacrament chapel. CONFESSIONAL In older churches the Confessional may be a two-doored cupboard, or series of such items at various points in the building. Often rather bleak and even dark places!. In modern churches the Confessional is usually accessed as room off the main church, and may be a pleasantly refreshing bright place. Within, there maybe a place to kneel, or even, to sit in comfort where the penitent may speak with the priest, either face-to-face, or concealed by a screen. You may by now be wondering what all this is about! None of us is perfect. We all make mistakes in life, that offend God or hurt others - even our loved ones. We wonder how we can put things right with God and with our fellows. Serious offences, when willingly and knowingly committed, and which are deemed to be contrary to the Commandments or against the Law of God and the Christian code of morals - are called sins. Note their character, serious fault, done with full knowledge and free consent. Such sin may be confessed to the authorised priest, and if accompanied by true contrition [sorrow], and by the firm resolution of amendment, the priest is authorised to forgive sin by the power of Christ and the Spirit granted him at ordination. A scriptural reference may help here. When the risen Jesus came to the upper room to be with his disciples he said, "As the Father sent me, so am I sending you." After saying this he breathed on them and said: "Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained." [ John 20 : 19 - 31 ] Go to the Cathedral website www.cliftoncathedral.org.uk in the menu on the left side of the Home page <The Cathedral> note there are a series of pages to be selected you will find pictures of many of these items - this may be helpful for you to appreciate what these things look like. Alternatively, you can always go into a Catholic church, they are usually open in the daytime for prayer or quiet, and take a look. Often you will find someone about who will be pleased to answer your questions. I hope these answers about such diverse items address your questions. You are more than welcome to contact me again if you require clarification or additional information. Peter Harrison Pilgrim in faith Email: fisherpeteruk@yahoo.co.uk |