Stone, Altar
stone, altar
(portable altar) A small, flat slab of natural stone, consecrated ordinarily by a bishop , containing in a stone-covered cavity relics of two canonized martyrs , inserted in the center of the table of an altar which is not entirely consecrated. The host and chalice are placed on this stone during the Sacrifice of the Mass. The stone is portable and may be placed in any suitable altar : it really constitutes the altar .
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Stone, Altar
A solid piece of natural stone, consecrated by a bishop, large enough to hold the Sacred Host and chalice. It is inserted into or placed on the surface of a structure which answers the purpose of an altar, when the whole altar is not consecrated. Sometimes the whole table (mensa) takes the place of the smaller altar-stone. It is called a portable altar.
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A.J. SCHULTE Transcribed by Michael C. Tinkler
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume ICopyright © 1907 by Robert Appleton CompanyOnline Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. KnightNihil Obstat, March 1, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., CensorImprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York