Grace Thompson
In the Catholic Church, an altar is a table or structure on which Mass is celebrated. The altar is typically centrally located in the sanctuary and is meant to be the focus of attention in the church. Altars are commonly decorated with flowers and candles, and relics of martyrs or other saints are often set into the altar. The earliest altars were made of stone, wood, or metal, but over time, stone became the ordinary material for altars due to its durability and symbolic significance. Today, the liturgical laws of the Catholic Church allow for flexibility in the design and decoration of altars, taking into account differences in church architecture, cultural traditions, and practical considerations.
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Altar materials
The materials used to construct a Catholic altar hold symbolic significance. Altars are typically made of stone, wood, or metal. The use of stone is derived from the decree of the provincial council of Epeaune (Pamiers), France, in 517, which prescribed that an altar for consecration must be made of stone. Stone also symbolises Christ, as per St. Paul's words, "And the rock was Christ".
In the primitive times of the Catholic Church, there were two types of altars: the arcosolium or monumentum arcuatum. The former was formed by cutting an arch-like niche in the tufa wall of the wider spaces in the catacombs, above a sarcophagus or grave. The latter involved using upright stone slabs to form a stone chest containing the relics of martyrs, placed within a space hollowed out of the tufa walls.
Over time, altars made of precious metals like gold and silver were also introduced, though these were often too expensive. Wood and baser metals were also used but were subject to decay and corrosion.
The altar should be covered by at least one white cloth, with additional cloths in colours of Christian honorific or festive significance permitted in the Dioceses of the United States of America. Floral decorations are also used, though they should be arranged around the altar rather than on the altar table itself. Candles are required for all liturgical celebrations and are typically placed on or around the altar, with at least two candles for any celebration, and up to seven if a diocesan bishop is present.
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Altar decoration
The decoration of a Catholic altar should foster devotion and visually express the holiness of the mysteries celebrated there. The altar should be the focus of attention in the church, typically located centrally in the sanctuary. The altar is symbolic of the table upon which Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his Apostles, recalling the Cross and the Sacrifice of the Cross.
The altar should be covered by at least one white altar cloth, with other cloths in colours of Christian honorific or festive significance permitted in the Dioceses of the United States of America. Floral decorations are also permitted, but should be arranged around the altar rather than on the altar table, and should be used in moderation, particularly during Advent. Flowers are forbidden during Lent, except on Laetare Sunday, Solemnities, and Feasts.
Candles are always used for the celebration of Mass, and on special occasions such as Baptism, to remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World. The altar should be built separate from the wall, so that it is possible to walk around it easily and that Mass can be celebrated facing the people. The altar should be dedicated according to the rite prescribed in the Roman Pontifical, and the table of a fixed altar should be made of natural stone.
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Altar relics
Relics are an integral part of Catholic liturgy and are commonly set into altars in Catholic churches. The Second Council of Nicaea in 787 decreed that every altar should contain a relic, formalising a practice that was already commonplace. The relics are typically placed within the altar during its consecration, and the altar is subsequently sealed.
Relics are physical objects that are associated with saints or martyrs. They are divided into three classes. First-class relics are physical parts of saints, like bones, or items attached to the lives of Christ or the Blessed Mother, such as shards of the True Cross. Second-class relics are objects owned or frequently used by saints, like a crucifix or rosary, or parts of items of clothing worn by the saint. Third-class relics are objects that have been in contact with first- or second-class relics, often small pieces of cloth.
The relics are placed inside altars to remind the faithful of their eternal destiny. When the faithful pray before the altar, they are joined in their prayers by saints and martyrs whose relics are within the altar. The relics are not placed on the altar for public veneration, as that is reserved for the display of the Blessed Sacrament.
The altar itself is also subject to specific norms and guidelines. The table of a fixed altar should be made of natural stone, except where the episcopal conference authorises the use of another material, like wood. A movable altar may be constructed of any material suited to liturgical use, according to regional traditions. The altar should be dedicated according to the rite prescribed in the Roman Pontifical, with a movable altar requiring only a blessing. The altar should be appropriately marked off from the rest of the church, either by elevation or ornamentation, and it should be centrally located to serve as the focus of attention.
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Altar location
The altar is typically located centrally in the sanctuary, and it should be the focus of attention in the church. It is usually built separate from the wall, allowing people to walk around it easily and for Mass to be celebrated facing the people. The altar should occupy a place where it is naturally the centre of attention, with the congregation's focus turning towards it.
The altar should be appropriately marked off from the rest of the church, either by being elevated or through a particular structure and ornamentation. It should be large enough to allow the Eucharist to be easily celebrated and seen. The altar should be covered by at least one white altar cloth, with other cloths in colours of Christian honorific or festive significance.
The sanctuary is the place where the altar stands, and the Word of God is proclaimed. The priest, deacon, and other ministers have places in the sanctuary, and there should be seats for concelebrants. The altar should be easily accessible to all these people. The altar should be fixed and dedicated, and the table of a fixed altar should be made of natural stone.
In the primitive times of the Catholic Church, there were two kinds of altars: the arcosolium or monumentum arcuatum. The former was formed by cutting an arch-like niche in the tufa wall of the wider spaces in the catacombs, over a grave or sarcophagus. The latter was a similar structure but was located above ground in churches.
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Altar consecration
The altar is the table or structure on which the church's sacred meal is celebrated, and it is the focal point of the interior of any Christian church. The altar is where the community gathers under the leadership of the priest to remember God's love and give thanks for Jesus.
In the past, when Christians were persecuted and forced to move from place to place, Mass was celebrated in crypts, private houses, the open air, and catacombs. It is believed that the altars at that time were made of wood, probably wooden chests carried by bishops, on the lid of which the Eucharistic Sacrifice was celebrated.
Over time, stone became the ordinary material for an altar due to its durability and symbolic significance. According to St. Paul (1 Corinthians 10:4), "the rock was Christ". The earliest decree prescribing that an altar to be consecrated should be made of stone was issued by the provincial council of Epeaune (Pamiers), France, in 517.
Today, the Latin Church distinguishes between the "table" of an altar (the top) and its supports or base. The table of a fixed altar should be made of natural stone, except when another material is authorized by the episcopal conference. A movable altar may be constructed of any solid and noble material suited to liturgical use, according to regional traditions. In Eastern Christianity, including Eastern Catholic Churches, the use of stone, wood, or metal is permitted.
The altar should be covered by at least one white altar cloth, which is obligatory for Mass. This cloth should cover the entire top of the altar table and hang down on either side. It may also have a hanging fringe on the front and/or back, but this is not mandatory. The use of other cloths is permitted, but the white altar cloth should always be the uppermost one.
The crucifix should be placed upon or near the altar, with a preference for placing it at the center between the priest and the people. It should be large enough to be visible to the faithful. Candles are required for all liturgical celebrations and should be placed on or around the altar without interfering with the assembly's view. Sacred vessels, such as the chalice, paten, and ciborium, are used to hold the consecrated Body and Blood of Christ and are preferably made of precious metal.
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Frequently asked questions
An altar is a table or structure on which Mass is celebrated. It is usually centrally located in the sanctuary and is the focus of attention in the church.
The table of a fixed altar should be made of natural stone. Movable altars may be constructed of any noble and solid material suited to liturgical use.
Relics of martyrs or other saints are commonly set into the altar. The altar should be covered by at least one white altar cloth. During certain times of the year, floral decorations may be placed around the altar.
Candles, crosses, and flowers are commonly used to decorate Catholic altars. In the past, altars were often made of precious metals and ornamented with precious stones.
The altar is symbolic of the table upon which Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his apostles. It also recalls the Cross, upon which Jesus was crucified as the sacrificial lamb for the redemption of our souls.
