Q: We hope to have a relic of a martyr for a new altar in our church. Would attaching the relic receptacle directly to the underside of the altar stone be appropriate? Or is there another method you would recommend?
I would also be grateful for any practical resources, guidelines, or examples you might know of regarding the proper placement and securing of relics in a newly constructed altar. I want to make sure we get this right before the altar is completed.
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A: The relics are to be placed “under the altar” (ODCA 24 and 61). They used to be placed in the mensa, but that practice has been revoked. The Latin uses the word for “altar” not “altar top”.
CB 921 stresses that the altar is dedicated to God alone. Images and relics of saints are not to compete with it.
The new directives about the relics going under the altar give a nod to Revelation 6:9.
With all of this, I think it is not in the mind of the Church that relics be attached to the mensa. You could argue that the bottom of the altar top is “under the altar,” but someone else could argue you’ve gone back to putting the relics in the altar top, which is now not to be done.
Placing them inside on the base would be better. There needs to be a way to seal it during the ritual.
Check out my books New Church, New Altar, and Our Church, Our Altar — both from Liturgical Press. Also my bulletin inserts on the dedication of a church, available from LTP.
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