Church tabernacle

Within Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and in some traditions of Lutheranism and Anglicanism, the tabernacle is a box-like or dome-like vessel for the exclusive reservation of the consecrated Eucharist.

[1] It is normally made from precious metals, stone or wood, and is lockable and secured to the altar or adjacent wall to prevent the consecrated elements within from being removed without authorization.

The "reserved Eucharist" is secured in the tabernacle for distribution at services, for use when bringing Holy Communion to the sick, and, in the Western Church, as a focal point for reflection, meditation and prayer.

Until the very late 20th century, it was required that the Christian tabernacle be covered with a tent-like veil (conopaeum) or have curtains across its door when the Eucharist is present within.

In early Christianity, priests delivered bread consecrated at their Eucharist to the homes of the sick and others unable to attend the celebration.

Emperor Constantine gave to Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, a gift of two such vessels, both gold and adorned with 250 white pearls.

The construction of ceremonial stone containers for the Eucharist began in the late 14th century, largely in northern Europe.

In the early 16th century, Bishop Matteo Giberti enacted edicts through the Diocese of Verona which proclaimed that the container for the consecrated bread should be placed on the altar.

Whether on the main altar of the church or in a special chapel, the tabernacle became larger and more ornate, eventually becoming the focal point wherever it was placed.

The Catholic Church believes that the body and blood of Christ continue to be present in the bread and wine even after Mass is concluded.

Therefore, a tabernacle serves as a secure and sacred place in which to store the Blessed Sacrament for carrying to the sick and others who cannot participate in Mass, or as a focus for the prayers of those who visit the church.

The renewal of the Roman-rite liturgy following the Second Vatican Council (see Mass of Paul VI) highlighted the primacy of the Eucharistic celebration.

The one tabernacle should be immovable, be made of solid and inviolable material that is not transparent, and be locked in such a way that the danger of profanation is prevented to the greatest extent possible.

Consequently, it is preferable that the tabernacle be located, according to the judgment of the Diocesan Bishop, a. either in the sanctuary, apart from the altar of celebration, in a form and place more appropriate, not excluding on an old altar no longer used for celebration; b. or even in some chapel suitable for the faithful's private adoration and prayer and which is organically connected to the church and readily visible to the Christian faithful.

In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fuelled by oil or wax, should be kept alight to indicate and honour the presence of Christ.Tabernacles have generally been made of metal (such as bronze or brass), or sometimes of heavy wood.

When bringing Communion to the homebound or sick, a small to medium-sized receptacle called a pyx is used by lay ministers, deacons and priests.

Most are made from pewter with designs ranging from plain to very ornate and come in varying sizes, depending upon how many consecrated hosts one will need.

On Sundays during Great Lent, the priest will consecrate extra hosts (in the same manner as on Holy Thursday), for use during the Presanctified Liturgy.

Before Its use after the consecration within the Mass, in Its use, and after Its use, and what is reserved in the Tabernacles for the communing of those who are sick or about to die, It is in all respects the true Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

"In, with, and under" the form of Bread and Wine, the Faithful truly receive The Sacred Body and Most Precious Blood of Jesus our God and Redeemer!Only some Anglican parishes of Anglo-Catholic churchmanship use tabernacles, either fixed on the altar, placed behind or above it or off to one side.

When the tabernacle is vacant, it is common practice to leave it open so that the faithful will not inadvertently perform an act of devotion (such as bowing or genuflecting).

E. J. Bicknell in A Theological Introduction to the Thirty-Nine Articles writes that "According to the first Prayer-Book of Edward VI the sick might be communicated with the reserved sacrament on the same day as a celebration in church.

Jonathan A. Michigan, founder of The Conciliar Anglican writes that this Article "does not explicitly ban these practices but does add a note of caution about them by pointing to the fact that none of them is biblical.

"[10] As such, the reserved sacrament was used by Anglican priests who held these views to administer communion to persons unable to attend church through illness.

After the Oxford Movement, reservation became commonplace in large parts of the Anglican Communion, and some parishes also perform services of solemn benediction and/or other forms of Eucharistic adoration.

The tabernacle should be securely fixed to the altar or gradine [Wikidata] (shelf), but away from the wall so that the conopaeum[12] (a veil used to cover it when it contains the blessed sacrament) can completely surround it.