Q: Hi, Fr. Paul, I have been fairly recently introduced to some of the liturgical practices of the Neo-Catechumenal Way.  One of these is the construction of two-chambered tabernacles.  In the tabernacles that I have seen, there is a lower chamber for reservation of the Blessed Sacrament and an upper chamber for of the Book of the Gospels.  Both chambers have individual locks.  The two chambers are closed with an additional set of large doors that completely cover both chambers.

I have many concerns about this liturgical practice, but as far as I can tell, it skirts canon and liturgical law in that there is no specific prohibition that I’ve been able to find for keeping the Book of the Gospels above the tabernacle.   I am deeply disturbed by the conflation of these liturgical symbols, but I need better arguments and documents to successfully discourse about this with adherent of the Neocatechumenal Way.  Any suggestions?

==

A: I’m unfamiliar with the rules governing the Neo-Catechumenal Way, so I don’t know what permissions they have and don’t have. I guess I’d start by asking the leaders for documentation calling for such an arrangement. If none exists, then you could point to Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery outside Mass, where no. 10 describes a tabernacle as the place where the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved. It makes no provision for a Book of the Gospels. No. 11 may also be helpful, as it shows the reverences owed the tabernacle because of the Most Holy Eucharist within it.