The Sanctuary – A Holy Place
Have you ever wondered why the sanctuary is treated with such great reverence? The sanctuary is the sacred space at the front of the church where the altar, ambo, the ambo is the raised stand or lectern, priest’s chair, and other liturgical furnishings are located. At its heart is the altar, the altar is rectangular in shape as were the coffins in the catacombs of ancient Rome during times of Christian persecutions. The altar is both a place of sacrifice and a celebration where the divine meets humanity, the place of the covenant (God’s power and Glory), where the heavenly realm touches the earth.
The tabernacle, means tent or dwelling. Mirrors man’s story of salvation. When, after their escape from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites wandered through the desert for forty years, they had built a tent-structure that was divided into three parts. The Courtyard – where the people gathered for worship. The Holy Place – where priests offered sacrifices and cared for the bread, wine, and the seven-branched lampstand (menorah). The Holy of Holies – the most sacred space, separated by a curtain, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. The Ark contained sacred signs of God’s covenant with His people: Aaron’s rod, manna from heaven, and the tablets of the Ten Commandments. The High Priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year to offer sacrifice and honour God’s presence. Later, the Ark was placed in the Temple built by King Solomon. When Jesus died on the Cross, the temple’s curtain that had kept people from entering into the Holiest of Holy, tore in half as a symbol that now man can enter God’s Kingdom thanks to the immense sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, the tabernacle continues this story of God dwelling among His people, as Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
The sanctuary lamp is one of the oldest and most recognizable symbols in a Catholic church. It is the red light that burns near the tabernacle, indicating that the Blessed Sacrament (the consecrated Eucharist) is reserved there.The tradition goes back to the Old Testament. God instructed Moses to keep a lamp continually burning in the Tent of Meeting before His presence:“Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, so that a lamp may be kept burning continually.” Why is it red? The glass is traditionally red so it is immediately recognizable. The red color symbolizes: Christ’s sacrificial love and Precious Blood, the living presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and a visible reminder for prayer and reverence.
The crucifix is a powerful symbol of both suffering and hope, reminding us of Jesus’ immense sacrifice and His love for all humanity. It became more widely used after Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine. The four points of the Cross represent the four corners of the world, showing that Christ’s saving love is offered to all people. The Cross, once a symbol of suffering and death, has become a symbol of peace, redemption, and victory over sin.
The Sacred Vessels and Linens Used at Mass: The Corporal is a square white cloth placed on the altar during the celebration of Mass. It is used to receive any small fragments of the consecrated Host and any drops of the Precious Blood. The sacred vessels are placed on the corporal before the consecration of the bread and wine. Traditionally, the corporal is a 20-inch square cloth with a cross in the center. It is carefully folded into nine squares so that any remaining particles of the Blessed Sacrament are treated with great reverence. The purificator is the linen cloth used to cleanse the chalice and paten after Holy Communion. The paten is a small, usually gold or silver plate used during the celebration of the Mass. The pall is a small square white linen cloth of stiff material covering the chalice to prevent impurities falling into it. The cruets hold the water and wine brought to the altar, with the water reminding us of Christ’s humanity and the wine of His divinity. The ciborium is the sacred vessel that contains the Blessed Hosts, and because it holds the consecrated Eucharist, it is placed in the tabernacle after Mass with great reverence. These sacred items may seem small, but each one helps us celebrate the Eucharist with the reverence and dignity that Jesus deserves.
Bells: In earlier times, many people could not see the altar clearly or hear the prayers of the priest, so the bells were rung to announce the most sacred moment of the Mass. They alerted the faithful that the Consecration was taking place and invited them to stop, pray, and turn their hearts toward Jesus truly present in the Eucharist.
Our church is filled with beautiful signs that remind us of Christ’s presence. Next time you come to Mass, take a moment to look toward the sanctuary and the altar. Notice the bells, the sacred vessels, and the reverence with which the priest handles these holy items. As Father carefully prepares, folds, and holds the vessels, we are reminded of the great mystery and gift taking place before us.
These signs point us to the greatest gift we receive: Jesus Christ truly present in the Eucharist. What an incredible gift we have been given! At every Mass, we are invited to receive the Body and Blood of Christ, who nourishes our souls, strengthens our faith, forgives and renews us, and draws us into a deeper relationship with Him. May we always approach this sacred gift with awe, reverence, gratitude, and hearts open to His presence.
