About the Sanctuary

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The Altar

"The Altar on which the Sacrifice of the Cross is made present under Sacramental signs is also the table of the Lord to which the people of God are called together to participate in the Mass, as well as the centre of thanksgiving that is accomplished through the Eucharist"

General Instruction of the Roman Missal 296

A fixed altar, particularly when made of stone (as is our main altar), is also a clear symbol of Jesus Christ, the living stone.

The Tabernacle

The Tabernacle is the place where the Body of Christ is kept reserved for Mass. During Mass the offered bread is Consecrated, and becomes the Body of Christ, also referred to as the Blessed Sacrament.

The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the first place, so that Communion may be taken to the sick and the dying. Its reservation also allows people an opportunity for worship and adoration of the Lord's presence.

The Ambo

When the Scriptures are proclaimed in church, it is Christ himself who speaks. The Ambo (also known as the Lectern), the place where the scriptures are proclaimed from, is regarded as the "table of God's Word".

The Sedilia

The Sedilia, the priest celebrant's chair ought to stand as a symbol of his office of presiding over the assembly and of directing prayer.

It symbolises unity, leadership and service to the assembly. Christ is present in the person of his minister. The chair is positioned to allow the priest to be seen easily and heard by all the people.

The Aumbrye

The Aumbrye is the secure cupboard in which the sacred oils are kept. These oils, blessed by the Bishop on Maundy Thursday, are the following:
→ The Oil of Catechumens: used in Baptism
→ The Oil of Infirmorum: used for the Anointing of the Sick
→ The Oil of Chrism: use in Baptism, Confirmation and Ordination

The Crucifix

"the only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ"

Galatians 6: 14

As a constant reminder of the cost of salvation and the symbol of Christian hope, the cross should be visible to the entire assembly during the Eucharist.

At the top of the Cross reads the inscription INRI, the traditional rendering of what Pilate the Roman Governor wrote: Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judaeorum (or in traditional Latin Iesvs Nazarenvs Rex Ivdaeorvm, using 'I' instead of 'J' and 'V' instead of 'U'). This translates to:

"Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews

John 19: 19