The Gospel is proclaimed from this loggia, from over the lmage of the empty tomb; Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome.
The difference between a lectern and an ambo is that a lectern is but a book-holder while an ambo is the garden of the empty tomb from which the Angel proclaimed the good news of the resurrection to the myrrh bearing women and then sent them out to tell the good news to the disciples (Matthew 28:1-10). Every proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ may be interpreted in light of this command of the angel from the empty tomb”.
The Gospel is procalimed from this loggia and from under the vaulted collinade, Santa Sabina, Rome.
AMBO HOW-TO
“Just as some parishes commission a temporary immersion font each year for the Easter Vigil liturgy, this year they could also ask a local carpenter to construct a temporary ambo in time for the Easter season. Classically, it would be situated under the first arch from the altar on the south (right) side of the nave. A simple construction would consist of an octagonal plywood base imaging the stone rolled away from Christ’s tomb, its eight sides suggesting the eighth day – the day of the Lord’s Resurrection. Three walls of the octagon would be raised on both the nave and aisle sides, thus creating a place for proclamation. The lower side walls of the ambo can be decorated with images of the empty tomb. A ramp could provide access from the altar side to allow wheelchair bound readers to proclaim the Scriptures. The platform would also be large enough to accommodate a deacon and candle-bearers. The different readers of the Word of God would ascend from the altar side, proclaim the reading while standing above the empty tomb and descend on the side towards the church door. This movement indicates that Christ, the rising sun of Justice, comes to encounter the assembly in the Word proclaimed and that the Good News goes out to all the world. Developing such a sustained ritual pattern would support the message”
(J.G. LEACHMAN, “Raise up the Word”, The Tablet [20 February 2010] 19).
CORPUS OF AMBOS
IN NORTH AMERICA
I am interested in compiling a collection of ambos in North America and commenting on them. You are welcomed to submit your example for consideration. Click here to see some examples.
Remember:
the difference between an ambo and a lectern is that
a lectern holds a book and
an ambo is a monument of the empty tomb.
the difference between an ambo and a pulpit is that
an ambo supports the ritual proclamation of the word of God and
a pulpit supports preaching doctrine.
CORPUS OF AMBOS
IN IRELAND AND IN GREAT BRITAIN
I am interested in compiling a collection of ambos in Ireland and in Great Britain and commenting on them. You are welcomed to submit your example for consideration. Click here to see some examples.