by Father Walter Ray Williams

Part XI

            This weekend we begin to look at “Chapter V:  The Arrangement and Furnishing of Churches for the Celebration of the Eucharist” from the newly published General Instruction of the Roman Missal.  The first section of this chapter is a laying down of general principles…

• The Eucharist is normally – and preferably – celebrated in a church, and if that is not possible, in “another respectable place that is nonetheless worthy of so great a mystery,”  suitable for the “carrying out of the sacred action and for ensuring the active participation of the faithful.”
• “Sacred buildings and [other] requisites for divine worship should, moreover, be truly worthy and beautiful and be signs and symbols of heavenly realities.”  (So much for many of the churches built since the 1970s!)
• The Church as always still seeks the “noble assistance” of the arts in accomplishing the structure and furnishing of churches.  She promotes new works of art that are of a “true excellence… which nourishes faith and devotion and accords authentically with both the meaning and the purpose for which it is intended.” 
• “Church décor should contribute toward the church’s noble simplicity rather than ostentation.”  Church décor appointments should have a “genuineness of material” and “foster the instruction of the faithful and the dignity of the entire sacred place.”

The second section of this chapter concerns the arrangement of the Sanctuary for the celebration of the Eucharist…

• “The sanctuary is the place where the altar stands, where the word of God is proclaimed, and where the priest, the deacon, and the other ministers exercise their offices” (as opposed to the usage of some non-Catholics of the word “sanctuary” which for them designates the entire worship space of the church building). 
• “It is appropriate to have a fixed altar in every church, since it more clearly and permanently signifies Christ Jesus, the living stone.”  Newly constructed altars should be free-standing (that is, not up against the wall), and it should be “so placed to be truly the center toward which the attention of the whole congregation of the faithful naturally turns.” 
• The altar should be made of stone, even natural stone.  However, in the dioceses of the USA, “wood which is worthy, solid, and well-crafted may be used, provided that the altar is structurally immobile.”  And the traditional practice of placing of relics of Martyrs (or any Saint) under the altar “is fittingly retained.” 
• “Out of reverence for the celebration of the memorial of the Lord…,” on the altar there should be at least one white cloth, even if an under-cloth may be “of other colors possessing Christian honorific or festive significance according to longstanding local usage, provided that the uppermost cloth… is always white in color.”

• "During Advent the floral decoration of the altar should be marked by a moderation suited to the character of the season, without expressing prematurely the full joy of the Nativity of the Lord.  During Lent it is forbidden for the altar to be decorated with flowers.  Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), solemnities, and feasts are exceptions.” 
• “Floral decorations should always be done with moderation and placed around the altar rather than on [it].”
• “Only what is required for the celebration of the Mass may be placed on …the altar” (with an allowance for microphones discreetly placed and used). 
• Candles are required and can be placed on or near the altar.
• “There is also to be a cross, with the figure of Christ crucified upon it, either on the altar or near it, where it is clearly visible to the assembled congregation.  It is appropriate that such a cross, which calls to mind for the faithful the saving Passion of the Lord, remain near the altar even outside of liturgical celebrations.”