The previous post asked: “What impact would the reforms of Vatican II have on the placement of the tabernacle in Catholic Churches – especially the ones being designed and built in the years following Vatican II? Today’s post offers an answer to that question.

With the principles of promoting and preserving (1) reverence for the Eucharist and (2) the sacrificial nature of the Mass, the “Instruction on the Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery” (1967) issued regulations (later incorporated into the new Code of Canon Law) concerning tabernacles: “The holy Eucharist may be reserved only on one altar or one place in any church, and a vigil lamp must burn at all times to indicate and honor the presence of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.” This tabernacle must be immovable, made of solid and opaque material, and locked to prevent theft or desecration of the Blessed Sacrament. The tabernacle “should be placed in a part of the Church that is prominent, conspicuous, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer” (Canon 938).

To promote prayer and devotion, the Instruction stated “It is therefore recommended that, as far as possible, the tabernacle be placed in a chapel distinct from the middle or central part of the church, above all in those churches where marriages and funerals take place frequently, and in places which are much visited for their artistic or historical treasures” (No. 53). It was at this point in time that churches constructed in the late 1960s, 1970s and into the 1980s incorporated the tabernacle into Eucharistic Chapels located within or accessible from the sanctuary. The Instruction did not however prohibit having the tabernacle in the center of the church, stating, “the Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a solid, inviolable tabernacle in the middle of the main altar or on a side altar, but in a truly prominent place” (No. 54).

The change in placement of the tabernacle was part of the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council. To create more inclusive participation in the rites, priests began facing worshipers during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In the existing churches with an altar against a back wall and the tabernacle (generally) incorporated into the design of the altar piece, an additional “altar table” accessible on all sides was placed in front of the existing altars that held the tabernacles in the center. The Mass was celebrated at the “altar table” and the tabernacle could no longer be placed on the altar where it would obscure the view of the people and conflict with the action of the consecration taking place on the altar during Mass. The tabernacle for the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, was rightfully kept separate from the altar.

Some older churches moved the tabernacle to sacramental chapels or alcoves off to the side of the altar table but still accessible to the parishioners to adore, pray, and reflect. New construction churches tended to follow this lead for a time. In the last 25-30 years, church architecture has tended to give priority to having the tabernacles visually aligned with the altar, hence on the centerline of the church. Ultimately the placement of the tabernacle is decided by three entities: the bishops, local diocesan policy, and Church documents. Today, Canon Law says the tabernacle and its space should be “conspicuous..and suitable for prayer.”

Every so often, here at St. Francis, we are asked, “Why isn’t your tabernacle in the right place?” The answer to the question is answered in three parts: (1) When was the church designed and built: answer 1970s. (2) Did the bishop approve the design: “yes”, and (3) is it in accord with Canon Law and Liturgical Worship regulations: “yes”.  The tabernacle is in the “right place.”

Image credit: G. Corrigan, CANVA, CC-BY-NC