VALUING THE PLACE OF THE WORD IN THE LITURGICAL SPACE IN THE LIGHT OF THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to discuss the ambo, a space for the proclamation of the Word of God in catholic churches. To this end, we first take excerpts from Sacred Scripture and verify that from a very early age the followers of Jesus were aware of the existing and inseparable relationship between the Word and the Eucharist. We then trace a path from the nascent Church to the end of the 19th century, in which we find that the Word has always been present as an important part of the rite. Even so, there was not always a physical space for its proclamation. In this journey, we observe the ambo, the pulpit and the bookcase. On the last item, we reflect on the contribution of the Second Vatican Council and its liturgical reform. We note that, from this historical moment, an appropriate and dignified place is again fixed in the churches, destined for the readings of the Sacred texts, as well as for the Proclamation of the Gospel. Finally, we emphasize the need to take care of the place destined solely for the communion of the Word, and not for other purposes.