The
articles placed in the sanctuary are carefully chosen. They play an important
role in the celebration of the Mass and of any prayer service. The finest
materials are used in the creation of these items, most clearly the gold
used in the candle sticks. Each piece plays a key role in the connecting
of God with His people.
The Ambo is used during the Mass and other public gatherings
for prayer as the point from which scripture is proclaimed. Also referred
to as the lectern, during the Mass the ambo is the primary focal point
during the Liturgy of the Word. The readings and psalm are prolaimed from
this point, and just as the altar is the point from which the presence
of Christ comes forth in His body and blood, so too at the ambo Christ
comes forth in the form of the Word.
The
Altar is perhaps the most well known of the objects used
during the Mass. Used in the Jewish tradition as an altar of sacrifice,
the Catholic teaching includes in the focus a table around which the followers
of Christ gather. During Mass, this is the table upon which bread and
wine are transfigured into the Body and Blood of Christ.
The
Crucifix can be found in almost any Catholic home and
holds a prominent place in the sanctuary of any church. It differs from
a cross in that upon it is the corpus of Christ. In the Catholic theology,
it embraces the redemption and salvation of Christians through the suffering
of Jesus Christ. Although some find a crucifix stresses the death of Christ,
its true semblence can be found in embracing the Resurrection through
which humanity is saved.
The
chair in which the presiding priest sits is known as the Presider's
Chair. In the local parish it resembles the cathedra,
or the Bishop's Chair. From this place the opening and closing prayers
of the Mass are proclaimed, and it bears a heightened importance amoung
the other seats in the church.
A
Tabernacle can be found in every parish, containing the
Blessed Sacrament, or the remaining Body and Blood of Christ
from that was not consumed during the Mass. From the Jewish tradition
which believe that God actually dwelt in the Ark of the Covenant, the
tabernacle holds extra hosts for distribution to the sick and those unable
to attend the normal Mass. Accompanying the tabernacle is the Sanctuary
Light, which symbolizes the constant presence of God.
The
Baptismal Font can be seen at the birthplace of every
Christian. It is here that every person begins their life in the Christian
faith. Filled with blest water, the font is used for baptism of both infants
and adults.