My Granddaughter's Tabernacle

Oh, to have the faith of a First Communicant!  My granddaughter decorated this box and told me it was her Tabernacle.

She made her First Communion in May and the Tabernacle in the church must have made quite the impression on her.

I asked her what was inside and she said my precious things.  

She gets it!
 

Taking Communion from the Tabernacle

 Did you know that taking Communion from the Tabernacle is a problem? It distinguishes a break between the Mass celebrant and the people.  The congregation and the celebrant are offering the Communion TOGETHER.  There usually is enough consecrated bread for all, so there isn't usually a problem.  Occasionally, the Tabernacle has to be opened for extra Communion.  This was prescribed by Vatican II and the General Instruction on the Roman Missal.

The Chalice Veil

A few years ago, one of my conservative parish priests requested a chalice veil.  The intent of a chalice veil is to show honor to a sacred vessel.  The chalice will hold the precious blood of Jesus.  Before Vatican II, a chalice veil covered both the paten and chalice.  The paten is a plate that will hold the body of Jesus.  The paten was  placed over the chalice, and then a covering (chalice veil) would be draped over both of them.  The veil was the same color as the priest's vestments.

My friend, Helena, made two chalice veils for father.  They were reversible, so all four of the colors were available to match the priest's vestments.

Over time, they were lost.  I know because I tore the sacristy apart looking for them.  Both the upstairs, and the downstairs one.  I wanted one now because Fr. Nic, my chapter's spiritual advisor, requested one.  You see, the chapel we use is non-denominational.  There's no tabernacle.  The tabernacle is in the Catholic Chaplin's office.  The office is down two flights of stairs, way over on the opposite side of the building.  Hence, Fr. Nic thought it would be nice to honor Jesus by showing a little respect, when He was carried to the chapel.

Helena to the rescue, again.  Praise God.  She made one to fit over just our chalice.  There's no paten on top.  There is a chalice lid with a cross on the top.

How do you like it?

Happy Birthday Catholics

Summer is here.  At least my own official summer on the Cape has arrived.  At Mass this morning, I had a pleasant surprise.  St. Anthony's is my summer parish.  I found that the tabernacle had been moved.  It is in the center of the sanctuary.  I like it better because now no matter where I sit I can see it.  Today I sat under this window.

It is Pentecost.

The parish was having a festival for the Holy Spirit.  This is a Cape Verdean parish and the Portuguese Club is the place to go.  That's where the action is.

I also feel like I've been infused by the Holy Spirit.  I'm starting to get hyper over my trip to France for the beatification.  I'm leaving in four days!!! The beatification of Pere Lataste is in a week.  

Just think, Father Lataste beatification really started when he witnesses the conversion of women prisoners.  They were touched by the Holy Spirit.  He was blessed by the Holy Spirit.  His work was guided by the Holy Spirit.  Father Lataste's beatification is the work of the Holy Spirit.  You can't hold back the Holy Spirit.  Deo Gratias.

Spiritual Direction Catholic Style

Blessing

There was an article in today's Boston Globe about spiritual direction becoming more common.  It seems that since the culture today is not church-going, that need that all humans have for God, is not fulfilled.  That need for love.  That need to be loved.  That need to make sense of life.  That draw towards something.  That something that is ingrained in our genes.  That ineffable feeling that searches for meaning, love, wisdom, God.  St. Catherine of Siena, in her Dialogue would remind us:
"The human heart is always drawn by love." Dialogue 26

People today don't think the answer is in church, I guess.  Why would 20 centuries of traditional answers be smarter than they are?

Another reason, I am glad I'm Catholic.  All you have to do is make an appointment with a priest, to get spiritual direction.  And priest do it for free.  We Catholics get some spiritual direction in Confession.  In confession it would be narrow focused, but all you would have to do is ask the Confessor for an appointment for more time,  to discuss your concerns.  It's that easy.  Call the rectory.  Make an appointment.

Tabernacle Thomas Aquinas Priory

As a Catholic I am surrounded by spiritual fulfillment.  That's what our sacraments are for.  The Eucharist feeds us spiritually.  The outward appearance of the sacraments: water, wine, bread, salt, oil, blessings, hit me in the eyes.  The prayers, chants, songs, liturgical music, hit my ears.  The readings, scripture, early church fathers, papal writings, hit my mind with beautiful language.  The smell of incense, oil, candles, hit my nose.  The taste of the Eucharist: bread and wine, hits my soul through my mouth.  The feel of my brothers and sisters' kiss of peace hits my heart, with this early sign of Christianity.  I even love the debates and arguments of our theologians.  The governance of my pastor, bishops, and popes.  I love the struggles of our saints and martyrs.  I love the poetry of our poets.  I love the architecture of the different expressions   of worship in our church buildings. I love everything about the Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church embodies the presence of Christ.  Yes, God is everywhere.  But He's tangible in the Catholic Church.  His true presence lives there.  

What is a Tabernacle Used for in the Catholic Church?

I often like to pray in front of the Tabernacle.  My wandering is less when I'm looking at a Tabernacle.  In fact, once when I was on my Cursillo at St. Basil's in Methuen, MA, I took my pillow and blanket, and went up to the third floor altar and slept in front of Jesus, on the carpeted floor in front of the altar.  St. Basil's is staffed by the Melkite Greek Catholic Order of priests.  I use to babysit the pastor, Father Martin Hyatt.

Let me explain.  I come from Methuen, MA.  I went to high school right next door to St. Basil's Seminary. (Presentation of Mary Academy)  I grew to love the Salvatorian Fathers.  Father Martin Hyatt comes from Methuen, also.  That's how I came to know him.  

I wish I had my camera with me on that Cursillo.  The Melkite Greek's communion hosts are little cut up pieces of bread.  They are kept in a covered chalice.  It was placed in the center of the altar, where I slept.   

What is a Tabernacle? 

In the "General Instruction of the Roman Missal," under "The Place for the Reservation of the Most Holy Eucharist", we read:

314. In accordance with the structure of each church and legitimate local customs, the Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is truly noble, prominent, readily visible, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.

The one tabernacle should be immovable, be made of solid and inviolable material that is not transparent, and be locked in such a way that the danger of profanation is prevented to the greatest extent possible. Moreover, it is appropriate that, before it is put into liturgical use, it be blessed according to the rite described in the Roman Ritual.

315. It is more in keeping with the meaning of the sign that the tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved not be on an altar on which Mass is celebrated. Consequently, it is preferable that the tabernacle be located, according to the judgement of the Diocesan Bishop,

a. either in the sanctuary, apart from the altar of celebration, in a form and place more appropriate, not excluding on an old altar no longer used for celebration;

b. or even in some chapel suitable for the faithful’s private adoration and prayer and which is organically connected to the church and readily visible to the Christian faithful.

316. In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fuelled by oil or wax, should be kept alight to indicate and honour the presence of Christ.

Tabernacles have generally been made of metal (such as bronze or brass), or sometimes of heavy wood. They are traditionally lined in white cloth (often silk), and are always securely lockable and generally permanently affixed or bolted to their support. Some Tabernacles are veiled when the Eucharist is actually present in them. These veils are often of cloth and design similar to the priest's vestments (that is, to create a harmony of design), and are either white (the color of the Eucharist), gold (which may be substituted for white), or of violet, green or red depending on the liturgical color of the day or season.

[Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_tabernacle]

In summary, the Tabernacle is the place where the Real Presence of Jesus dwells within the catholic Church. While the Consecrated Host has the appearance of Bread, It is the true Body of Jesus living among us in fulfillment of God's promise during the days of the Old Testament to come and make His dwelling among His people.

And here are some examples:

Tabernacle inside the chapel inside St.Thomas Aquinas' Priory at Providence College.  

Tablenacle in Guest House
St. Joseph's Abbey
Spencer, MA

St. Mary's Church
Franklin, MA