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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Old Altar Stones Michael Saturday, September 17, 2005

Question:

What is done with portable altar stones which are no longer in use? My parish recently did a number of renovations, and the old altar stone has a document in latin taped to the surface which says that it contains the relics of two martyrs. Since the stone is just sitting in the basement, I'm interested in using the relics for private veneration. Are the relics in the stone in small thecas that I could take out and use for private veneration, provided I get permission, or would I have to keep the plaster seal intact?

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Michael,

You would of course need to get your pastor's permission, but I wouldn't see a problem with it.  If he does not want them kept in the parish then you should get a suitable reliquary in which to keep them.

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.