Why is it that in a number of Catholic churches, a saint or Mary is placed highest at the center of the altar?

Question

For instance, this is the Sanctuario de San Antonio in Makati in the Philippines ...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/diamonds_in_the_soles_of_her_shoes/242163818/

And San Sebastian Church ...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/riccicutie/79877303/

Or even the Manila Cathedral ...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11penguin/422057837/

As opposed to say, Ateneo's Gesu ..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14316998@N00/158037465/

or the St Ignatius Cathedral in Shanghai ...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zanyantics/240303828/

Thanks!

Answer 1

Usually on each side of the altar will be placed The Blessed Virgin and St Joseph....but a Crucifixion of Jesus is in the center of the altar.


Her soul magnifies the Lord (Luke 1:46-55)! Think of what that means for just a moment.








Everything about Our Lady points straight back to the Father, Whose faithful daughter she is; to the Son, Whose mother she is; and to the Holy Ghost Who overshadowed her. There is no one in all of History whose relationship with God is as complex, fulfilled, and achingly beautiful as Mary's. She is not only the greatest of Saints, she is our Mother, as Jesus is our Brother and Savior. In honoring her, we honor Him -- and imitate Him, as we are admonished to both honor our parents and imitate Christ, Who loved His Mother. Our relationship with Mary is that of a child to a blessed Mother who was given to us as Jesus gave her to John at the Cross. She is our spiritual Mother (Revelation 12:17 -- And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ), and she wants to pray for us.


The Hail Mary Prayer
Hail, Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.

Answer 2

In the first three pictures you posted, there is a tabernacle on the high altar. The tabernacle contains the consecrated hosts, which is the Body of Christ. Jesus IS at the center.

In the other two pictures, the tabernacle is not on hte high altar. These are churches with more modern architecture. With these churches, Jesus on the crucifix is at the center.

Answer 3

Usually it is to show that they now reside in Heaven and to honor the particular Saint in question, although as a Catholic myself I do not agree with the positioning at times and would much prefer the statues to be at the sides rather than in the highest position.

Answer 4

Because the Catholic Church is a wicked and sinful organization.

Answer 5

In all the Catholic churches I've been in - and I've been in many, I've never seen that. It was always Jesus on the cross, or the empty cross.

Answer 6

the tabernacle isn't higher than the saint. look at it closely.

Answer 7

thats very strange, i've never seen that before