Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 190 - Part II.

YOUCAT Question n. 190 - Part II. What is a Christian house of prayer?

(Youcat answer - repeated) A Christian house of prayer is both a sign of the ecclesial communion of people at a specific place and also a symbol of the heavenly dwellings that God has prepared for us all. In God’s house we gather together to pray in common or alone and to celebrate the sacraments, especially the eucharist.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1184) The chair of the bishop (cathedra) or that of the priest "should express his office of presiding over the assembly and of directing prayer" (GIRM 271). The lectern (ambo): "The dignity of the Word of God requires the church to have a suitable place for announcing his message so that the attention of the people may be easily directed to that place during the liturgy of the Word" (GIRM 272).

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) “It smells like heaven here.” “Here you can be very quiet and reverent.” Many churches surround us perceptibly in a thick atmosphere of prayer. We sense that God is present here. The beauty of churchbuildings directs our attention to the beauty, greatness, and love of God. Churches are not just stonemessengers of the faith, but dwelling places of God, who is really and truly and substantially presenting the sacrament of the altar.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1185) The gathering of the People of God begins with Baptism; a church must have a place for the celebration of Baptism (baptistry) and for fostering remembrance of the baptismal promises (holy water font). The renewal of the baptismal life requires penance. A church, then, must lend itself to the expression of repentance and the reception of forgiveness, which requires an appropriate place to receive penitents. A church must also be a space that invites us to the recollection and silent prayer that extend and internalize the great prayer of the Eucharist.    

 
(This question: What is a Christian house of prayer? is continued)