Our Church, Our Altar: A People's Guide to the Dedication of a Church and Its Anniversary

by Paul Turner

Overview

If your parish is planning the dedication of a new church and altar, this book will help prepare the entire community for the celebration. A rich combination of scripture, liturgical text, and questions for further reflection, Our Church, Our Altar invites community-wide catechesis and prayer for a number of occasions, including the laying of a cornerstone, the blessing of a chapel, and the blessing of a new chalice and paten, for example.

Our Church, Our Altar will also help you prepare for each anniversary of the dedication of your parish church. Perfect for use by both individuals and communities, the spiritual reflections in this book will help you prepare for these special celebrations within your community of faith.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814666623
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	09/27/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	184
File size:	362 KB

About the Author

Paul Turner is pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri, and director of the Office of Divine Worship for the Diocese of Kansas City––St. Joseph. He holds a doctorate in sacred theology from Sant’ Anselmo in Rome. He is a former president of the North American Academy of Liturgy and a member of Societas Liturgica and the Catholic Academy of Liturgy. He is the author of numerous books published by Liturgical Press and a contributor to Give Us This Day. Most recently, he is the recipient of four awards from the 2025 Catholic Media Association Book Awards, including First Place for Author of the Year. Visit his website at https://paulturner.org/.

Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction 1

The Ceremonies
Chapter I: The Order of Laying a Foundation Stone or
     the Commencement of Work on the Building of a Church 7
Chapter II: The Order of the Dedication of a Church 12
Chapter III: The Order of the Dedication of a Church
     in Which Sacred Celebrations Are Already Regularly Taking Place 27
Chapter IV: The Order of the Dedication of an Altar 35
Chapter V: The Order of Blessing a Church 44
Chapter VI: The Order of Blessing an Altar 48
Chapter VII: The Order of Blessing a Chalice and a Paten 50
Chapter VIII: The Anniversary of the Dedication of the Church 53

The Reflections
Old Testament 61
New Testament 118

Editorial Reviews

"Once again, Fr. Turner gives the church another valuable resource that each parish and its leadership team must have in preparing for the rituals around the dedication of a church and altar. This resource has many key aspects that highlight the texts. The pastoral piece that will be helpful is the second part of the book, a theological and scriptural reflection section for preparing the liturgies. Fr. Turner masterfully weaves a summary of the biblical texts, the liturgy, and reflection questions to assist the parish team's planning and guide our understanding of 'church.' Even if we are not planning a dedication or rededication, we are called to take time to remember the symbols of our church buildings and altars. We are the church, and these theological reflections guide us to be the 'solid rock' upon which the foundation of future generations have their faith inspired."
Reverend John Thomas Lane, SSS, Pastor, Saint Paschal Baylon Roman Catholic Church, Highland Heights, Ohio; Liturgical Consultant - Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament


"This book is a great example of liturgical catechesis. It can be used in a variety of pastoral settings. It is a must read for parishes not only engaged in a process of building a worship space but also renovating or simply refreshing a space. Rev. Paul Turner puts forward a mystagogical structure highlighting the scriptural foundation of the rites, the liturgical actions and reflective questions. These characteristics of faith formation deepen full conscious active participation not only in the rites but is attentive to the movements of the heart."
Sister Sandra DeMasi, SSJ, Director of Liturgy, St. Rose of Lima Parish, New Jersey

From the Publisher