The Altar
SACRIFICE AND BANQUET
Someone who knew nothing about Catholicism and had no formation in Christianity comes into our church and looked at the central furnishing dab smack in the middle of our sanctuary. What would they think it was, and what would it tell them about what we believe?
Using common sense and making some connections, they could deduce that this is a worship space and in ancient worship there were altars to offer sacrifice. So this place must be somewhere where a sacrifice is offered. They might go on to say, but that looks like a table as well. So this must be a place where people are fed. They would be right, twice!
A SYMBOL OF CHRIST
The altar is the place of the sacrifice of Jesus and is the table of the Eucharist from which we are fed. The altar also refers to Jesus himself. Jesus is the priest, the altar, and the Lamb of sacrifice, all in one. The altar is the centerpiece, the focal point of the Eucharistic Liturgy.
For all these reasons, the altar is an object of great holiness. When the altar is first erected in a church, it is consecrated with Sacred Chrism and a special rite to dedicate it to the worship of God. It is reverenced as a symbol of Christ who is sacrificed for us and feeds us with Himself. That is why the we bow to the altar when passing it, the priest and deacon kiss it, it is incensed, and candles burn on or by it.
SOLID AS A ROCK
Every church is to have a fixed altar. That means attached to the floor and not movable. Current Church Law directs the altar to be built separate from the wall, so that it is possible to walk around it easily and that Mass can be celebrated at it facing the people. The altar should occupy a place where it is truly the center toward which the attention of the whole congregation of the faithful naturally turns.
Throughout Sacred Scripture, God is referred to a rock. Psalm 18 acclaims: “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust.” Saint Paul tells the Ephesians, “The Church has been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” The Church’s tradition is that the fixed altar should be of natural stone. While wood, which is dignified and solid, may be used, an altar made from stone clearly expresses that Jesus is our rock.
In the Early Church, Mass was celebrated at the tombs of the first martyrs. The tradition is continued by placing relics of saints, even those not martyrs, under the altar when it is dedicated.
NOW IS THE TIME
Our current altar at Good Shepherd is made from wood and is movable. It has served us well. In preparing for the 75th Anniversary of our parish and 50th Anniversary of our church, our Refurbishment Task Force and Steering Committee sought the opportunity to more fully express the theology of the altar. We were able to acquire an altar from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This marble altar is a perfect match for the design of our church. It has some extra special significance. When major Catholic leaders visited Philadelphia, they would visit the seminary. We have pictures of Pope Saint John Paul II, Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta, Pope Benedict XVI (when he was Cardinal Ratzinger), and Pope Francis at that altar. It will be installed in the Refurbishment and Renewal project next summer (2026). Since we already have three popes in a row connected to that altar, we are planning to bring the altar stone to be blessed by Pope Leo XIV in Rome next spring.
UP NEXT
Next week, we will take a look at the significance of the ambo, from which the Word of God is proclaimed.