catholic church altar

Isn't this against Catholic tradition? Since Christ chose only men to be His priests to administer His Sacraments, then why does the Church now allow altar girls to serve at Mass? If a man feels he has a calling into the priesthood, from his experience as being an altar boy, then what's the point of having altar girls?

In order to understand this change you need to understand the sacrament of Holy Orders. There use to be seven of these: acolyte, lector, exorcist, sub-deacon, deacon, priest, and bishop. The first 4 were called minor orders and were not sacramental. The last three were called major orders and all are bestowed through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. A bishop therefore receives the same sacrament three different times in his life to be made deacon, then priest, then bishop.

The minor orders were suppressed after Vatican II. Installed acolytes would only be male because this was a step towards ordination. Although acolytes would perform the functions we associate with an altar server the words are not synonymous. An acolyte is someone(must be a male) installed into that order. An altar serve(either male or female) is someone who assists the priest at Mass. This is the same reason that females can now be lectors at Mass as well.

2009-02-28 19:20:44 by Ashley J

Story: tinyurl.com twitter.com www.facebook.com myspace.com

Looking for a 4 ft by 6 & a half foot Crucifix for Catholic Church behind the altar on the wall. I have searched everywhere to find one, the only ones I could find weren't what we were looking for. Anyone know someplace I could find one? Online?

Try the link below. If this company doesn't have what you're looking for, they should be able to direct you to someone who does.

2008-09-13 19:33:46 by Mary Frances

A friend of mine claims this, but i grew up catholic and never heard anything like this. Does anyone know or have heard of this??

No, that's total bs.

2008-07-01 17:09:54 by megs779

Price: $14.14

As in, what are the names of important objects in the Church and what are they used for?
Thanks.

SANCTUARY!!!!!

There is always a lit candle in the sanctuary
There is usually a crucifix in the sanctuary
There is a tabernacle, which sometimes houses a relic
There is the containers (cruets, ciborium, etc) used in the Holy Mass.
http://www.sjm87.org/church_sanctuary.ht m

The sanctuary is usually separated from the rest of the church by a railing or iconostas, depending on which rite you practice.

2008-09-18 21:46:31 by Ga-yaa

In the 2nd Vatican Council, A direction was ordered for churches to move the tabernacle away from the center of the altar, to the left or right side. The church is primarily for the Mass, and the Mass is the Sacrament of the Eucharist, how come they moved the Eucharist away from the most imporant place?
..."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"...

That sounds outright silly. It is God's house, we are just guests in it. How come God should be the one to adjust, and for us? Why did Jesus got angry with the money changers, and merchants in the temple in the first place? He should have just said. "We must build a small area here in the temple for the merchants." I dont get it. How can be marriages, funerals, baptisms, and art appreciation (for crying out loud).. be more important then the throne of God Almighty, the Creator of the Universe, Who is, Who was, And Who is to come.

The person who said that statement, in my opinion, does not seem to know God at all.

The placement of the Tabernacle was revisited after Vatican II.

The "Instruction on the Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery" (1967 issued regulations (later incorporated into the new "Code of Canon Law") concerning tabernacles (cf. No. 52-57 and Canons 934 944): The holy Eucharist may be reserved only on one altar or one place in any church, and a vigil lamp must bum 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).

Therefore in some Churches the Tabernacle is now placed by itself in its own chapel. This way some can worship Jesus Christ residing in it in the chapel while Mass is going on in the main church.

With love in Christ.

2006-05-17 12:45:28 by partypao