YOUCAT Question n. 191 - What liturgical spaces define a house of God?
(Youcat
answer) The central places of a house of God are the altar with the crucifix,
the tabernacle, the celebrant’s chair, the ambo, the baptismal font, and the
confessional.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC
1187) The liturgy is the work of the whole Christ, head and body. Our high
priest celebrates it unceasingly in the heavenly liturgy, with the holy Mother of
God, the apostles, all the saints, and the multitude of those who have already
entered the kingdom.
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) The altar is the central point
of the church. On it Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and Resurrection are
made present in the celebration of the Eucharist. It is also the table to which
the People of God are invited. The tabernacle, a kind of sacred safe, houses with the greatest honor in a most
worthy place in the church the Eucharistic species in which the Lord himself is
present. The so-called perpetual lamp indicates that the tabernacle is “occupied”. If the lamp is not
burning, the tabernacle is empty. The raised chair (Latin cathedra) of the
Bishop or the priest means that ultimately Christ is the one who leads the
congregation. The ambo (from Greek anabainein = to climb up), the lectern for
the Word of God, should manifest the value and dignity of the biblical readings
as the Word of the living God. Baptisms are performed at the baptismal font,
and the holy water font should be a vivid reminder of our baptismal promises. A
confessional or confession room is there so that we can acknowledge our guilt
and receive forgiveness.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC
1188) In a liturgical celebration, the whole assembly is leitourgos, each member according to his own function. The
baptismal priesthood is that of the whole Body of Christ. But some of the
faithful are ordained through the sacrament of Holy Orders to represent Christ
as head of the Body.
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