[american colleen]

If my church moved the tabernacle ... which is on the altar, to the right of center ...

OK, I have a problem with this. My church is a modernish one (1958) that has the main altar and two small sides ... to the left and right of the main altar. The right side contains a statue of the BVM holding baby Jesus and Joseph alongside with his tools (and in front of this is where the large choir sings, but that is another story), and the other one used to have a statue that was removed and the Tabernacle was placed there on a small altar. Now, the main altar has grooves for the Tabernacle and both are made of the same marble... why move it? To me, it should be front and center... am I being too picky?

And you know... I miss votive candles.

[Gophack]

My church was remodelled because of growth about 10 years ago, before I started attending. The altar is in the center of the church, and the tabernacle is not directly behind it, but to the right, and directly to the right of the crucifix. It is prominently displayed, I feel, even more a focal point than some of the older, traditional churches. It the tabernacle were directly behind the altar, it would be blocked by the priest and block the crucifix.

Hard to explain ... but I think the placement in my church is perfect.

[Siobhan]

You aren't being to picky. You are absolutely right that the tabernacle should be front and center.

You are without votive candles? I'm so sorry. That almost happened here, but in my role as banshee the votive candles have remained in place.

[pgkdan]

Now, the main altar has grooves for the Tabernacle and both are made of the same marble... why move it? To me, it should be front and center... am I being too picky?

And you know... I miss votive candles.

No! You are not being too picky. The Tabernacle contains the Real Presence, the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I'm tired of attending Mass at strange churches while travelling and having to spend 5 minutes tracking down the Tabernacle.

I belonged to what was once the only somewhat traditional parish in my area, then we built a new sanctuary, removed the Tabernacle to a chapel off the "commons" and it's been down hill there ever since. We had an uproar about that and as a result the Pastor installed a small temporary Tabernacle behind and to the right of the altar. If you didn't already know it was there you'd never notice it. They've completely lost the sense of reverence that I grew up with. Nobody genuflects anymore...the children don't even know how to genuflect, and nobody knows when to genuflect anymore. Kids run back and forth to and from the bathroom...even at the Consecration. They've adopted the obnoxious habit of nodding their heads when they approach the altar..even though the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the tiny little half hidden Tabernacle. I suppose that nod is acceptable to a bare altar when no Tabernacle is present, but it's unsettling to see folks approach the Tabernacle and nod...like they're seeing a buddy in a pub.

No I don't think you're being picky...leave the Tabernacle where it belongs. It contains the central mystery of our Faith and it's place should be central in our sanctuaries and our hearts.

[Jeff Chandler]

A church close by to the one I attend outgrew their church building and had to build a larger one. The pastor wanted to place the tabernacle behind the altar, but the Diocese of Phoenix wouldn't allow it, so he placed it to the side of the altar in an enormous ornate alcove, so prominent that your eye is drawn to it the moment you enter the church. Clever guy.

[NYer]

Now, the main altar has grooves for the Tabernacle and both are made of the same marble... why move it? To me, it should be front and center... am I being too picky?

Picky? Naw! Try to find the tabernacle .. or the crucifix, or the kneelers ... in this church ..... another Fr. "Dick" Vosko original.

Corpus Christi University Parish Church, Toledo, OH