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Taking a Tour of the House of God By Michael S. Rose |
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Every detail of a traditional Catholic church building has a precise and rich significance,
pointing to important aspects of Catholic faith and practice.
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Echoing those words throughout the Christian centuries, we have called our churches Domus Dei (the House of God) and Porta Coeli (the Gate of Heaven) — a dwelling where we go to find God. For that reason we understand the church building as a sacred place. And in fact, the Church’s Code of Canon Law defines the church building as “a sacred building destined for divine worship.”1
Many non-Catholics frequently have questions about the distinctive elements of a traditional Catholic church’s architecture and furnishings. Why the altar rail? Why the statues? Why the kneeling pads? Why towers and bells? What does all this mean?
Actually, it all means a great deal. Nearly every detail of a traditional Catholic church building has a precise and rich significance...
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