1226

Nomine sacelli privati intellegitur locus divino cultui, in commodum unius vel plurium personarum
physicarum, de licentia Ordinarii loci destinatus.
The term private chapel means a place which, by permission of the local Ordinary, is set aside for
divine worship, for the convenience of one or more individuals.

1227

Episcopi sacellum privatum sibi constituere possunt, quod iisdem iuribus ac oratorium gaudet.
Bishops can set up for their own use a private chapel which enjoys the same rights as an oratory.

1229

Oratoria et sacella privata benedici convenit secundum ritum in libris liturgicis praescriptum; debent
autem esse divino tantum cultui reservata et ab omnibus domesticis usibus libera.
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.

No action can stir up bitterness and create division within a parish more quickly and
deeply than the announcement of plans to renovate the church.
Eucharisticum Mysterium
Instruction on Eucharistic Worship
16 critic: The unity of this community, having its origin in the one bread in which all
share (cf. I Cor. 10:17), is arranged in hierarchical order. For this reason it is necessary
that "each person, performing his role as a minister or as one of the faithful, should do all
that the nature of the action and the liturgical norms require of him, and only that."66
18 18. An Awareness of the Local and Universal Church Community Is to Be
Fostered
In the celebration of the Eucharist, a sense of community should be encouraged. Each
person will then feel himself united with his brethren in the communion of the Church,
local and universal, and even in a way with all men
53. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel
The place in a church or oratory where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the
tabernacle should be truly prominent. It ought to be suitable for private prayer so that the
faithful may easily and fruitfully, by private devotion also, continue to honor our Lord in
54. The Tabernacle in the Middle of the Altar or in Some Other Part of the Church
"The Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a solid, inviolable tabernacle in the middle
of the main altar or on a secondary altar, but in a truly prominent place. Alternatively,
according to legitimate customs and in individual cases to be decided by the local
Ordinary, it may be placed in some other part of the church which is really worthy and
properly equipped this sacrament.

Inter Oecumenici ambiance

The lay workers and some visitors becomes more comfortable

ALTAR
Because it represents Christ the living stone (1 Peter 2:4), it should be fixed in place, and
at least the mensa (table top) should be made of stone (GIRM, 298, 301), though wood
may be used (GIRM, 301). ), and it should be "built apart from the wall, in such a way
that it is possible to walk around it easily and that Mass can be celebrated at it facing the
people..." (GIRM, 299).
AMBO
The design of the ambo, then, should spring from the design of the altar. The ambo
should reflect the dignity of Gods word and be a clear reminder to the people that in the
Mass the table of Gods word and of Christs body is placed before them . . . .Great pains
must therefore be taken, in keeping with the design of each church, over the harmonious
and close relationship of the ambo with the altar (
II. Sacred Furnishings in General
325. As in the case of the building of churches, so also regarding all sacred furnishings
the Church admits the artistic style of each region and accepts those adaptations that are
in keeping with the culture and traditions of each people, provided that all fit the purpose
for which the sacred furnishings are intended.135 In this matter as well, a noble
simplicity should be ensured such as is the best companion of genuine art.
326. In the choice of materials for sacred furnishings, besides those which are traditional,
others are acceptable if by contemporary standards they are considered to be noble, are
durable, and are well suited for sacred use. In the dioceses of the United States of
America these materials may include wood, stone, or metal which are solid and
appropriate to the purpose for which they are employed.

But GIRM states that "buildings and appurtenances for divine worship ought to be
beautiful and symbolic." The Second Vatican Council states that "the practice of placing
sacred images in churches so that they can be venerated by the faithful is to be
maintained."

The general plan of the building should reflect in some way the image of the
congregation