The term 'tabernacle' comes from the Latin 'tabernaculum', which in turn derives from the diminutive of 'taberna'. The name refers to the concept of 'dwelling', and in particular to the dwelling of God among men. It is precisely this idea of divine presence that justifies the centrality of the tabernacle down the centuries.
This liturgical supply, in fact, has a long history in the Catholic Church and is a fundamental element of the Eucharistic liturgy. The tabernacle contains the consecrated host, the body of Christ, and for this reason it has a particularly strong symbolic and mystical value.
In ancient times, the tabernacle consisted of a tent or a small building that housed the Ark of the Covenant. Over time, its shape has changed and evolved to become the current container, in which the body of Christ is kept.
It is the dwelling place of God among men and represents the divine presence within the Church.
The History of the Tabernacle
The history of tabernacles dates back to ancient times and has undergone several evolutions over the centuries. Originally, they were small containers used to store the consecrated host in the homes of the faithful unable to attend mass. Over time, these sacred objects have become more and more elaborate and decorated, assuming a more important role within the liturgy.
In the Middle Ages, for example, these liturgical objects were often made of gold and precious stones and placed in places of great importance inside churches. Today the Tabernacles are still considered one of the most important liturgical supplies and, despite the different artistic trends that have occurred over the centuries, they still maintain a great symbolic and religious value for the faithful.
How Tabernacles Are Made: Materials, Decorations, and Styles
Materials used for their realization are often valuable, such as wood, marble or metal. In particular, wood is widely used in the Italian tradition, where the processing of inlays and sculptures is preferred.
Marble is also used for the realization of tabernacles, especially in contexts of Baroque and neoclassical architecture.
Among the most common decorations are paintings, sculptures and carvings, which often represent biblical scenes or symbols of faith. Lastly, the tabernacles can be made in very different styles, from Gothic to Renaissance, from Baroque to neoclassical, depending on the artistic and cultural tradition of the place where they are located.
Other sacred objects for liturgical supplies
In addition to tabernacles, churches are usually equipped with other liturgical supplies that help create an atmosphere of devotion and spirituality. The latter are also joined by elements of liturgical furniture such as the altar, the pulpit, the baptismal fonts and holy water fonts . The altar, usually placed in the center of the church, is the place where Mass is celebrated and where the body of Christ is preserved during Eucharistic adoration. The pulpit, on the other hand, is the place where the priest delivers the homily and preaches the word of God to the faithful. The baptismal font, on the other hand, represents the place where the sacrament of baptism is celebrated.
All these liturgical supplies combined with the sacred furniture contribute to making the church a sacred and special place, where the faithful can find peace and reflection.
