Our Church, Our Altar

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/.

• ContentsIntroduction 1The CeremoniesChapter I: The Order of Laying a Foundation Stone orthe Commencement of Work on the Building of a Church 7Chapter II: The Order of the Dedication of a Church 12Chapter III: The Order of the Dedication of a Churchin Which Sacred Celebrations Are Already Regularly Taking Place 27Chapter IV: The Order of the Dedication of an Altar 35Chapter V: The Order of Blessing a Church 44Chapter VI: The Order of Blessing an Altar 48Chapter VII: The Order of Blessing a Chalice and a Paten 50Chapter VIII: The Anniversary of the Dedication of the Church 53The ReflectionsOld Testament 61New Testament 118

"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