'Church Talk' Section:

Consecrated / Dedicated / Blessed Altars & Sacred Places

"Can. 1150 Consecrated things, or things blessed with a constitutive blessing, should be reverently treated and not applied for improper or profane use, even if they are under private control." (1917 Code of Canon Law)

"Can. 1154 Sacred places are those that are designated for this purpose by consecration or blessing, as prescribed by the approved liturgical books, for divine cult or the burial of the faithful." (1917 Code of Canon Law)

"Can. 1157 Notwithstanding any privilege, no one can bless or consecrate a sacred place without the consent of the Ordinary." (1917 Code of Canon Law)

"Can. 1166 § 1 The consecration of churches, although it can be done on any day, is becomingly conducted on [Sundays] or other days of precept. § 2 The consecrating Bishop and those who ask that the church be consecrated should fast on the day preceding the consecration." (1917 Code of Canon Law)

"Can. 1167 The feast of the consecration of a church is celebrated each year according to the norm of liturgical law." (1917 Code of Canon Law)

"Can. 1206 The dedication of a place belongs to the diocesan Bishop and to those equivalent to him in law. For a dedication in their own territory they can depute any Bishop or, in exceptional cases, a priest." (1983 Code of Canon Law)

"Can. 1207 Sacred places are blessed by the Ordinary, but the blessing of churches is reserved to the diocesan Bishop. Both may, however, delegate another priest for the purpose." (1983 Code of Canon Law)

"Can. 1208 When the dedication or blessing of a church or the blessing of a cemetery has been completed, a document is to be drawn up, one copy of which is to be kept in the diocesan curia and another in the archive of the church." (1983 Code of Canon Law)

"Can. 1217 §1 As soon as possible after completion of the building the new church is to be dedicated or at least blessed, following the laws of the sacred liturgy. §2 Churches, especially cathedrals and parish churches, are to be dedicated by a solemn rite." (1983 Code of Canon Law)

"Can. 1229 It is appropriate that oratories and private chapels be blessed according to the rite prescribed in the liturgical books. They must, however, be reserved for divine worship only and be freed from all domestic use." (1983 Code of Canon Law)

"Hence we consecrate those things which we make use of in this sacrament; both that we may show our reverence for the sacrament, and in order to represent the holiness which is the effect of the Passion of Christ, according to Hebrews 13:12: 'Jesus, that He might sanctify the people by His own blood,' etc." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history of the Church")

"As we read in De Consecratione, distinction 1, 'altars, if not of stone, are not to be consecrated with the anointing of chrism.' And this is in keeping with the signification of this sacrament; both because the altar signifies Christ, for in 1 Corinthians 10:3, it is written, 'But the rock was Christ': and because Christ's body was laid in a stone sepulchre. This is also in keeping with the use of the sacrament" (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history of the Church")

"Since the consecration of the altar signifies Christ's holiness, and the consecration of a house the holiness of the entire Church, therefore the consecration of a church or of an altar is more fittingly commemorated. And on this account the solemnity of a church dedication is observed for eight days, in order to signify the happy resurrection of Christ and of the Church's members. Nor is the consecration of a church or altar man's doing only, since it has a spiritual virtue. Hence in the same distinction (De Consecratione) it is said: 'The solemnities of the dedication of churches are to be solemnly celebrated each year: and that dedications are to be kept up for eight days, you will find in the third book of Kings' (3 Kings [1 Kings] 8:66)." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history of the Church")

"The church, altar, and other like inanimate things are consecrated, not because they are capable of receiving grace, but because they acquire special spiritual virtue from the consecration, whereby they are rendered fit for the Divine worship, so that man derives devotion therefrom, making him more fitted for Divine functions, unless this be hindered by want of reverence. Hence it is written (2 Maccabees 3:38): 'There is undoubtedly in that place a certain power of God; for He that hath His dwelling in the heavens is the visitor, and the protector of that place.' Hence it is that such places are cleansed and exorcised before being consecrated, that the enemy's power may be driven forth. And for the same reason churches defiled by shedding of blood or seed are reconciled: because some machination of the enemy is apparent on account of the sin committed there. And for this reason we read in the same distinction: 'Wherever you find churches of the Arians, consecrate them as Catholic churches without delay by means of devout prayers and rites.' Hence, too, it is that some say with probability, that by entering a consecrated church one obtains forgiveness of venial sins, just as one does by the sprinkling of holy water; alleging the words of Psalm 85:2,3: 'Lord, Thou hast blessed Thy land ... Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of Thy people.' And therefore, in consequence of the virtue acquired by a church's consecration, the consecration is never repeated. Accordingly we find in the same distinction the following words quoted from the Council of Nicaea: 'Churches which have once been consecrated, must not be consecrated again, except they be devastated by fire, or defiled by shedding of blood or of anyone's seed; because, just as a child once baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, ought not to be baptized again, so neither ought a place, once dedicated to God, to be consecrated again, except owing to the causes mentioned above; provided that the consecrators held faith in the Holy Trinity': in fact, those outside the Church cannot consecrate. But, as we read in the same distinction: 'Churches or altars of doubtful consecration are to be consecrated anew.'" (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history of the Church")

"The house in which this Sacrament is celebrated denotes the Church, and is termed a church; and so it is fittingly consecrated, both to represent the holiness which the Church acquired from the Passion, as well as to denote the holiness required of them who have to receive this sacrament. By the altar Christ Himself is signified, of Whom the Apostle says (Hebrews 13:15): 'Through Him we offer a sacrifice of praise to God.' Hence the consecration of the altar signifies Christ's holiness, of which it was said (Luke 1:35): 'The Holy one born of thee shall be called the Son of God.' Hence we read in De Consecratione, distinction 1: 'It has seemed pleasing for the altars to be consecrated not merely with the anointing of chrism, but likewise with the priestly blessing.' And therefore, as a rule, it is not lawful to celebrate this sacrament except in a consecrated house. Hence it is enacted (De Consecratione, distinction 1): 'Let no priest presume to say Mass except in places consecrated by the bishop.' And furthermore because pagans and other unbelievers are not members of the Church, therefore we read (De Consecratione, distinction 1): 'It is not lawful to bless a church in which the bodies of unbelievers are buried, but if it seem suitable for consecration, then, after removing the corpses and tearing down the walls or beams, let it be rebuilt. If, however, it has been already consecrated, and the faithful lie in it, it is lawful to celebrate Mass therein.' Nevertheless in a case of necessity this sacrament can be performed in houses which have not been consecrated, or which have been profaned; but with the bishop's consent. Hence we read in the same distinction: 'We deem that Masses are not to be celebrated everywhere, but in places consecrated by the bishop, or where he gives permission.' But not without a portable altar consecrated by the bishop: hence in the same distinction we read: 'We permit that, if the churches be devastated or burned, Masses may be celebrated in chapels, with a consecrated altar.' For because Christ's holiness is the fount of all the Church's holiness, therefore in necessity a consecrated altar suffices for performing this sacrament. And on this account a church is never consecrated without consecrating the altar. Yet sometimes an altar is consecrated apart from the church, with the relics of the saints, 'whose lives are hidden with Christ in God' (Colossians 3:3). Accordingly under the same distinction we read: 'It is our pleasure that altars, in which no relics of saints are found enclosed, be thrown down, if possible, by the bishops presiding over such places.'" (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history of the Church")

Also See: Altars | Sacred Art / Images | Sacred Furnishings | Building / Refurbishing of Churches | Sacred Vessels Not To Be Touched by Laity | Sacred Things Not to be Put to Repugnant / Inappropriate Uses | Desecration of Sacred Places | Profanation of a Sacred Object | Loss of Dedication / Consecration / Blessing | Sacrilege | Unlawful Seizure | Violated Churches | Disposition of Church Items | Reverence | Consecration (Topical Scripture) | Blessing (Topical Scripture)

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