Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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ALTAR RAIL

Horizontal bar of wood, marble, or metal, supported by vertical posts and generally ornamented. Its immediate purpose is to separate the sanctuary from the body of the church. It also serves as a communion rail when the Eucharist is given to kneeling communicants (Eucharisticum Mysterium, 1967, No. 34).