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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

A PRE-MODERN TABERNACLE AND MANY POST-MODERN TABERNACLES

This is the tabernacle of St. Joseph Church in Macon. It is a part of the old altar (now a reredos for the new altar). Above it is the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, which the Mass makes truly present and below it, but not visible in this photo is the Last Supper scene. Thus the reservation of the Most Blessed Sacrament is situated within the context in which it is consecrated, the sanctuary, the altar and the images that signify what the Mass truly is. Please note also above the tabernacle a place for exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament. This photo was taken during a Benediction celebration which included a lengthy exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.


In the link below, please look at all the post-modern tabernacles. Obviously Christ reserved in one of these is truly present. However, what does the place of reservation as well as the art of the tabernacles posted do for you? Your comments on St. Joseph and the others!

PRESS HERE FOR POST MODERN TABERNACLE IMAGES

9 comments:

Gene said...

Most of them look like the hood ornament off a '49 Packard.

Templar said...

Thanks Father. I feel as if I need to do penance for viewing those Tabernacles. The tabernacle is for the reservation of Christ the King, you would think his raiment would be a little more "kingly" than those hideous things. Those modern tabernacles look more disposed for the reservation of a circus clown and not the Blessed Sacrament.

Perhaps the Kingship of Christ the King is out of "fashion" too these days.

Seeker said...

Too much emphasis on what's outside then what's inside. I look away feeling empty and somewhat ashamed after seeing these.

Paul M. Young said...

Granted, most of those modern tabernacles are not to my taste, but we have to remember that not all the world is of a Western mindset. As far as I know, the appearance of a tabernacle is not regulated in detail by canon law.

I was quite disappointed by the disrespectful tone that site took toward repositories of our Lord.

Pater Ignotus said...

The only example I find attractive is #11 - the one from the major Seminary in Seoul.

"De gustibus non est disputandum."

Anonymous said...

One, near the end of the list, looks like a TV! I kind of like the one with the fish mosaic, though.

Pater Ignotus said...

Paul - You are correct in saying that the appearance of a tabernacle us not regulated.

Anonymous said...

Of Course Father the one in Macon is beautiful. How can anyone argue that? Anyone here in the states , with the exception of the LA Diocease, would probably not even recognise those as Catholic. It makes one wonder when it will ever end. It just does not resemble what the Church has been like for centuries. Those tabernacles yield no beauty. It is like staring at a paint splotch and trying to find the meaning behind it all as art.

Robert Kumpel said...

I once heard someone say that the name for the "Jack in the Box" toy came from a reformation-era anti-Catholic put-down, where Church of Englanders would mock the Real Presence by referring to it as "Jack in the Box".

Unfortunately, too many of those tabernacles look exactly like that. A couple of them are so bad, you expect to see the clown's head pop out.