Within many churches a tabernacle is a small chest or cabinet in which consecrated communion wafers or bread are kept.
The tabernacle is an especially important part of the architecture of Catholic churches, as this is where the Eucharist is reserved. There is almost always a sanctuary lamp alight to alert worshippers that the body of Christ is present, except on Good Friday where the body is removed to a side chapel to represent the period between Christ's death and resurrection. Because the Roman Catholic Church believes that the Eucharist is Christ Himself under the appearances of bread and wine, Catholics genuflect before the tabernacle as a sign of respect.
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