Blessing of the Altar
May 29, 2021
The Most Reverend John O. Barres - Bishop of Rockville Centre, along with our Pastor Reverend Janusz Mocarski, our Assistant Pastor Reverend Charlince Vendredy, and Deacon Al Pickford were present for the new altar blessing.
fig: The altar table and the relics of the saints
The tradition of the relics placed within the altar “table” is dated to the first centuries of Christianity, when the early communities of the faithful were persecuted for their faith. They had to meet clandestinely, often in the catacombs.
fig: Pictures of the altar
It was in the catacombs that Holy Mass was celebrated over the graves of the martyred saints, that is, over their bodily remains that subsequently became Holy Relics. Once the Christian faith became widely accepted and officially sanctioned, most new churches carried on the tradition of having a saint’s relic under the stone piece on the altar.
fig: Pictures of Reverend John O. Barres
At St. Joseph the Worker, we have the relics of four great saints: Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Bonaventure, Saint Jerome, and Saint Ambrose. May their intercession help us to become a community of faithful believers.