Altar frontals, undated
Scope and Contents
Cloth altar frontals decorated with embroidery.
Dates
- Creation: undated
Creator
- From the Collection: Leonard, William J. (1908-2000) (Compiler, Person)
Language of Materials
This collection is mostly in English, with some materials in French, German, Italian, Latin, Lithuanian, Polish, Slovenian, and Spanish.
Access Note
Collection is open for research.
Definition and use
An altar frontal is a decorative piece of cloth, stone, metal, or wood that covers the front of an altar. Altar frontals are usually ornately decorated, reflecting their proximity to the altar, which symbolizes the body of Jesus Christ. Altar frontals may be changed to reflect the liturgical color of the day, although this is an increasingly uncommon practice post-Vatican II.
Sources:
Schulte, Augustin Joseph. "Altar Frontal." In The Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company, 1907. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01353b.htm.
Tribe, Shawn. “The Historical, Theological, Liturgical and Artistic Case for Altar Frontals.” Liturgical Arts Journal, November 16, 2017. https://www.liturgicalartsjournal.com/2017/11/the-historical-theological-liturgical.html.
Full Extent
1.75 Linear Feet (1 container)
Repository Details
Part of the John J. Burns Library Repository
John J. Burns Library
Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill MA 02467 USA
617-552-4861
burns@bc.libanswers.com