|
Altar
 The altar is a fixed, freestanding table, the central focus
for the
celebration of the Eucharist. It is both altar and table. As
altar it is the place of sacrifice, where Christ, who was sacrificed on
the cross for us, becomes present again under the sacramental form of
bread and wine. As table, it gathers the people of God to share
the Body and Blood of Christ, their holiest meal.
The altar is traditionally
made of stone, but another solid, well-crafted material of beauty and
dignity, may be used. Its rectangular shape suited the liturgy
before Vatican Council II, when scriptures were read from both sides of
the altar. Today’s altar is often more square to accommodate the
priest, the bread and the wine. It should always be clear among
church furnishings that the altar is the center of focus.
When a church’s altar is
consecrated, the bishop anoints its top with chrism, the perfumed oil we
reserve for sacraments celebrated once in a lifetime, baptism,
confirmation and ordination. This consecration of the altar sets
it apart permanently for its sacred purpose. The altar represents
Jesus, whose title “Christ” means “anointed.” The proper
reverence upon entering a church is to bow to the altar, unless the
tabernacle is centrally located, in which case one genuflects to the
tabernacle.
In the past the altar was
located against the rear wall and the priest celebrated mass with his
back to the people. Today a church should have one altar,
freestanding so the priest may walk completely around it. It
should be permanently fixed to reflect the stability of our faith. |
