Church buildings today differ in many respects from those of, for example. the 1950s. The altar for Mass has been removed from against the back wall; side altars have disappeared; the number of statues and images has been reduced, communion rails have for the most part disappeared; confessionals are being replaced by reconciliation chapels; the imposing pulpit has become a more simple lectern or ambo. The purpose of these and other modifications is to help us to worship better as a community, and as such they have been positively accepted -- when properly explained -- the vast majority of Catholics.

There is one change, however, which has raised many questions, namely, the location of the tabernacle. Formerly this was most often placed upon the high altar. In fact, the tabernacle containing the Blessed Sacrament was often seen as the focal point in the building. It was the laudable custom for people to visit the church during the day to pray in the presence of the eucharistic Lord. Today the tabernacle is placed in its own area. often quite removed from the altar and the space used for the celebration of Mass. in light of our long tradition of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament people often ask whether this practice is now discouraged or whether the tabernacle is no longer considered important.

To help answer these questions we will, in this series. consider 1) the reasons for the present location of the tabernacle; 2) the tradition of reserving the Eucharist after Mass and of praying before the Blessed Sacrament; 3) the meaning of the reserved Eucharist for our lives as a community and individuals.

A consideration of the primary purpose of a church building is the staring point for our discussion of the placement of the tabernacle.

The word "church" comes from the Greek ecclesia meaning assembly or gathering. The primary use of the worship space is the gathering of the faithful for the Sunday Eucharist. A 1978 document from the

American bishops says that the "norm for designing liturgical space is the assembly and its liturgies. The building or cover enclosing the architectural space is a shelter or "skin" for a liturgical action" (Environment and Art in Catholic Worship [EACW], no. 42).

Certain demands are put on that space and on its configuration of places for the faithful. We need to stand for prayer and sit for readings-, we are often called upon to move about in processions; we need to see. to hear. etc. All this should exist in a climate of friendship and hospitality. This means that we know or can be introduced to one another, that we can easily move about within the building; that we can be seated together in view of one another and of the focal points of the rite. The space should help us become participants, not spectators.

The major worship areas should be designed for such large celebrations as that of the Sunday Eucharist, baptism, funerals, weddings, etc. Depending on the number of participants, the major gathering space for the assembly would also be used for such celebration as the liturgy of the hours, communal celebrations of the rite of penance, benediction, novenas, etc.

In summary, a church building, especially its main area, is designed for the gathering and liturgical prayer of a people. The primary purpose of the structure is to support our prayer in common, to allow us to celebrate the liturgy in a more beneficial manner. Its design should help us accomplish what we are about when we gather there.

According to a 1973 Vatican document, "the primary and original reason for reservation of the Eucharist outside Mass is the administration of viaticum," i.e. communion to the dying. There are two secondary reasons: "the giving of communion and the adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ present in the sacrament" (Holy Communion and the Worship

of the Eucharist Outside Mass. no. 5).

As history attests, the Church began to reserve the Eucharist in order to bring this spiritual food to those at the point of death. This practice lead to the custom of giving communion to those unable to be present for Mass. especially the sick. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a practice which only gradually became established in the Church, was a natural expression of the Church's deep and abiding belief that the Lord is indeed present in the Eucharist. It is noteworthy that the Vatican document quoted above says nothing about reserving the Eucharist for later distribution during Mass-a very recent custom but one which, as we shall see, runs counter to the integrity of the eucharistic celebration.

The choice of a location for the tabernacle in a church building is an important one. It must respect our love for the Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament. It must also respect different aspects of our life as a Church. For example, the large worship area of a church building is designed for a large number of people who gather there to celebrate the liturgy. The demands of such occasions are different from those occasions when, in silence and warm intimacy, we open our hearts in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Furthermore, there is a distinction of purpose and meaning between when we gather to celebrate the Eucharist as commanded by Jesus at the Last Supper and when we pray with devotion in the presence of the eucharistic Lord, a presence that is one of the fruits of our eucharistic action. To respond to our psychological needs as well as to respect the two different aspects of the Eucharist, the Church strongly encourages that the Blessed Sacrament be reserved "in a chapel suited to the faithful's private adoration and prayer" (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 276). The American bishops have repeated this wish:
Most appropriately, this (eucharistic) reservation should be designated in a space designed for individual devotion. A room or chapel specifically designed and separate from the major space is important so that no confusion can take place between the celebration of the Eucharist and reservation .... Having the Eucharist reserved in a place apart does not mean it has been relegated to a secondary place of no importance. Rather, a space carefully designed and appointed can give proper attention to the reserved sacrament. (EACW, no. 78)

As the bishops point out, our reverence and love for the Blessed Sacrament is to be shown by the manner in which we design and decorate a space for the tabernacle. This need not depend on expensive materials, but on the

• quality of the lighting;
• style and placement of the tabernacle;

• location of chairs and kneelers;
• creation of an inviting atmosphere that leads us to prayer.

It is this space that creativity and attention to detail are so important. There should be a dignity, a reserve, a nobility, and a freedom from distraction-all of which will draw us to the Blessed Sacrament and support us as we pray. This space should offer us easy access from both the main worship area as well as from the entrance areas of the building. This does not mean there need be two doors. It simply means that we should easily be able to locate and visit the reserved Eucharist. The size of the space is not the primary factor, location and quality are.

At times the Blessed Sacrament is located in what is known as a daily chapel. But since such rooms are often used for the weekday celebration of Mass, the same ambiguity exists between the celebrational and devotional aspects of the Eucharist. A special location, devoted only to the reservation of the Eucharist. is certainly preferable. In this way, just as on Sunday, we can more easily differentiate between our celebration of the Eucharist and our loving devotion to Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament.

You are invited to continue this exploration in two stages. Next time we will take a voyage back into time as we trace the historical development of eucharistic reservation. Afterwards, we will explore some of the dimensions of the reserved Eucharist in our lives today. As Catholics we want to be faithful to our tradition. We also want to explore the richness of that tradition so that we can deepen our faith in the Eucharist and better appreciate the various dimensions of the gift given us by Christ.