CHAPTER VII
OF THE CONSECRATION OF AN ALTAR
Rise of the Consecration of Altars—Manner of the Same—The Benediction of Water—The Aspersions—The Hyssop—Consideration of Relics—The Altar must be of Stone—The Incense—The Benediction of Church Ornaments.
1. Not only is a church consecrated, but also the altar: and this for three reasons. First, with regard to the sacrament thereon to be offered to God. Noah [Footnote 411] built an altar to the Lord, and offered a sacrifice upon it, taking some of all clean birds and beasts. But this sacrament is the Body and Blood of Christ which is sacrificed in remembrance of the Lord's Passion, according to the command, 'This do in commemoration of Me.' [Footnote 412]
[Footnote 411: Genesis viii.]
[Footnote 412: S. Luke xxii, 19.]
2. Secondly, with regard to the invocation in that place of the name of God: whence [Footnote 413] Abraham built an altar to God who appeared unto him, and called there upon the name of the Lord. But this invocation, which takes place over the altar, is properly called the Mass.
[Footnote 413: Genesis xii.]
3. Thirdly, with regard to chanting: 'He gave him patience against his enemies, and caused singers also to stand before the altar, that by their voices they might make sweet melody.' [Footnote 414]
[Footnote 414: Eccles. xlvii, 9.]