Portland Cathedral Restores Tabernacle to Center of Sanctuary

In a subtle yet significant liturgical move, St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, Oregon, has recently returned its tabernacle to the center of the sanctuary during the Lenten season of 2024. This decision was driven by the U.S. Bishops' call to strengthen belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Monsignor Gerard O'Connor, the Cathedral's Rector and a former official of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Clergy, explained that this small change is intended to contribute to the ongoing Eucharistic revival across the wider Church.

The Cathedral sanctuary with the tabernacle returned to the sanctuary, Easter Vigil, 2024.

The main sanctuary alterations in the cathedral’s history occurred in 1996. For the 150th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, Cardinal William Levada, then-Archbishop of Portland, decided that the anniversary would include an extensive restoration and renewal of the Cathedral.

The Cathedral’s sanctuary from the 1950s through the 1960s.

To accommodate the liturgical reforms implemented following the Second Vatican Council, the Portland Cathedral made use of a free-standing altar in the center of the sanctuary. The original high altar against the wall holding the tabernacle and the communion rail were still in place, as can be seen in the picture below.

The Cathedral’s sanctuary arrangement from the 1970s until 1996.

The most visible alterations following the major 1996 renovations were the removal of the Cathedral’s original high altar against the back wall, and its main tabernacle was removed from the sanctuary altogether and placed in a eucharistic side chapel.

The Cathedral’s sanctuary after the major 1996 renovation.

The communion rail was removed, the sanctuary was extended toward the nave, and several rows of front pews were repositioned to face inward toward the new altar made of repurposed marble from the communion rail.

Certain adjustments to church interior design, such as those seen in the 1996 renovations at the Portland Cathedral, often drew from the Instruction on the Worship of the Eucharist Mystery (Eucharisticum Mysterium), a document issued by the Vatican’s Sacred Congregation of Sacred Rites after the Second Vatican Council. This document suggested placing the tabernacle in a separate chapel, “above all in those churches where marriages and funerals take place frequently and in places which are much visited for their artistic or historical treasures” (Eucharisticum Mysterium, 53). This recommendation possibly influenced the decision to move the tabernacle to a side chapel in 1996. Msgr. O’Connor explained that in practice, this was not an issue for the Cathedral of Portland because it is not a major tourist attraction with frequent visitors and regular non-religious concerts.

The side Eucharistic Chapel that was in use between 1996 and early 2024.

A Eucharistic Parish

Msgr. O'Connor highlighted the recent decision to return the Tabernacle to its central position as a significant step in reinforcing the Cathedral's commitment to Eucharistic reverence. He emphasized the importance of understanding and teaching the sacramental nature of the Church and promoting reverent liturgy, which respects the reality of the Mass as the representation of Christ’s sacrifice, reiterating that, “all the good acts we do as Catholics center on our love and reverence for the Holy Eucharist which is the source and summit of our lives.”

Msgr. O’Connor went on to explain that repositioning the tabernacle is just one element in fostering a “Eucharistic Parish,” explaining, “If you can [as a pastor], you move on to promote Eucharistic Adoration, hopefully, perpetual adoration for parishes that can accommodate it. And if you have perpetual adoration, you may have around 160 people making a eucharistic holy hour every week- that changes a lot of lives, that changes the makeup of a parish as well, and I’ve seen it happen.”

The Cathedral with the tabernacle returned to the sanctuary for Easter, 2024.

In response to inquiries about identifying a 'Eucharistic Parish,' Msgr. O’Connor emphasized the central positioning of the tabernacle as a significant indicator, as prescribed by Vatican II, which is traditionally accompanied by a burning red candle signifying the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. He stressed that if the congregation struggles to locate the tabernacle or comprehend the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, there may be underlying issues.

Regarding the fostering of Eucharistic devotion, Msgr. O’Connor highlighted initiatives undertaken in the Archdiocese of Portland. He mentioned the concerted effort where all priests in the Archdiocese were asked to preach about the Holy Eucharist for each Sunday of Advent in 2023, aiming to “reignite our understanding, devotion, and formation among parishioners.”

Reflecting on the influx of adult converts, particularly from Protestant backgrounds, he said, “Among the nearly 1,000 adult candidates and catechumens who are entering the Church in the Archdiocese of Portland this year, the common thread, especially among our Protestant converts, is the appeal of the sacramental nature of the Catholic Church and the Eucharist itself, and understanding the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. When people understand and believe that, they become Catholic.”

Briefly touching on consultations with Archbishop Sample, Msgr. O'Connor indicated that financial considerations initially delayed the relocation of the tabernacle. However, with the support of several parishioners providing generous donations, the Cathedral was able to proceed with the move and to serve as inspiration for Eucharistic revival in the wider Church.

The recentered tabernacle and the Archbishop’s chair moved to the side, Good Friday, 2024.

Positive Reception from Parishioners

Msgr. O’Connor shared that the tabernacle’s recent repositioning has received overwhelming support from parishioners, “We haven’t had a single negative comment about the tabernacle move; it has been overwhelmingly positive. People appreciate the look of it. It looks natural, and it’s beautiful where it is. One parishioner said to me ‘Christ is finally at the center of this parish.”

With the move of the tabernacle complete, Msgr. O’Connor said that the Cathedral will be transforming the former Eucharistic Chapel into a Candle Chapel, a place of private devotion. Many parishioners have long asked Msgr. O’Connor to install a candle stand so they could light candles representing their personal intentions and prayers for their loved ones. The cathedral's old votive candles were removed around the time of the 1996 renovation.

Archbishop Sample delivering his homily for the Easter Vigil Mass, 2024

The Eucharist, the Center of a Christian’s Life

On Holy Thursday of 2024, Archbishop Alexander Sample gave a homily on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. He called on us to renew their amazement and awe at every encounter with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, sharing that he is amazed every single time he celebrates Holy Mass. He told the congregation that the greatest gift he had given to the cathedral parishioners was returning the cathedral tabernacle to the center of the sanctuary. He pointed to the newly-centered tabernacle and said, “He is where He belongs” and added laughingly, “And I am where I belong”... previously the Bishop’s chair had been in the center of the sanctuary facing the congregation where the tabernacle is now positioned. With the tabernacle returned to the sanctuary, the Archbishop's chair is now placed on the side and facing liturgical north, i.e., facing the tabernacle reserving the Holy Eucharist along with the congregation.