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Dedication Day for Holy Redeemer, Eyota
By FR. PATRICK ARENS
The 14th of August was a beautiful, late-summer day in the town of Eyota, and the faithful gathered as usual for their participation in Mass for the Vigil of the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into heaven. But this was no ordinary day for this faith community.
This was dedication day for Holy Redeemer Parish. After an ambitious and heroic restoration project, it was time to consecrate their new altar and begin celebrating Mass upon it in their newly redecorated church.
Bishop Barron was present to celebrate the dedication Mass and consecrate the new altar. Appropriately, he then led the first solemn Episcopal celebration of the Eucharist on the newly dedicated altar.
Our liturgical rituals in the Church are very rich and teach us about many heavenly things using earthly materials, but the Rite of Dedication of a new altar stands out as one of the shining gems of our liturgical practice as Catholics. What is also interesting is that this ritual closely mirrors the rituals of the
Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion.
As the liturgy of dedicating an altar begins, the new altar is sprinkled with Holy Water. This ritual sanctifies the altar and prepares it to be consecrated. It blesses the altar and signifies that it will no longer be used for ordinary purposes. After the Liturgy of the Word, the bishop continues the consecration of the altar by placing relics beneath the table of the altar, offering a prayer of dedication, and then anointing the altar with Sacred Chrism. As the altar is being anointed, the fragrance of Sacred Chrism fills the Church and the altar becomes a symbol of Christ, “the Anointed One.”
After the altar is anointed, incense is burned upon the table of the altar, reminding all in attendance that
the altar is a place of sacrifice. Finally, the altar is clothed with white linens and its candles are lit. The white linens placed symbolize both the linen of a festive banquet table and the linen that our Lord’s body was wrapped in after He was taken down from the cross. The lit candles represent the bright light of Christ. The celebration of the Eucharist then follows and the consecration of the new altar is complete as it receives the Body of Christ for the first time (St. John Chrysostom).
When we look at the rituals for Christian Initiation, we see several beautiful parallels. When we receive the Sacrament of Baptism, we are washed with water and sanctified, being freed from sin and dedicated permanently to Christ. At some point after we are baptized, we are anointed with Sacred Chrism as we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation and are further consecrated and dedicated to the Lord. In the Sacraments of Initiation, we are also clothed with a white linen garment and we receive a lit candle, symbolic that we have not only received the garment of grace but also the light of faith. Having been sanctified and filled with grace, we receive the Body of Christ.
Like the altar, our lives are to be places of sacrifice. During Mass, the faithful are also incensed, reminding us of the sacrificial character of the Christian life we have undertaken.
The Rite of Consecration of an altar is a joyful occasion and is not only a significant ritual of dedication and consecration but is also a reminder of our own dedication and consecration to Christ through the sacraments. Congratulations to Holy Redeemer parish on the occasion of their beautiful restoration and construction of a new altar. May this church truly be a place where people experience the beauty of God’s presence, give Him fitting worship, and are filled with grace to live out the Catholic faith.
Fr. Patrick Arens is the Director of Divine Worship for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
