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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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