Dave Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 Regarding the statements about the EWTN Masses facing ad orientem, actually, back when the nuns were there, the Masses in the chapel were meant for them, so since they were on the other side of the altar, the priest faced toward them. It really wasn't an ad orientem issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PedroX Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the priest offer the mass on behalf of the people? If this is true, then why wouldn't he be facing the same direction as the people? In other words with his back visible. If this is not the case, then it would seem to me that there is no great cause to face towards the people. Any who would argue for facing towards the people must stop and contemplate this change. We have gone from having our priests offer on our behalf, and leading us towards God to having our priests show us the consecration. Is the symbolism worth it? For the record, I worship at NO mass, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christ is really and wholly present. However, I miss the symbolism and truth of our inheritance. peace... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laudate_Dominum Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 I think a big part of the issue too is that the throughout history the priest faced his back to the people and there is symbolism and theological meaning behind this. And for this to suddenly change is cause for wonder. It is a break from tradition so it causes one to ask why. And as of yet I am not aware of any legitimate reason for doing this. The few things I've heard are sketchy and sometimes even a bit heterodox. But I'm open to the possibility that there is some mysterious good reason for it, though I would need a great deal of convincing to accept that it is better than the normal way. And Cardinal Ratzinger has made some awesome points regarding the priest facing ad orientem which makes me wonder if this may someday (hopefully) be restored in the Roman Rite. God bless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pio Nono Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 JMJ 3/30 - Fifth Tuesday of Lent To play devil's advocate... Sure, the Protestants took the high altar out of their churches and a separated "table" was a consequence of the Reformation...... But pews in churches were also a consequence of the Reformation. Before the Reformation, no one [i]ever[/i] sat in a church. There's a lot of good reasons not to sit, but the Church doesn't seem to have a problem with sitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloysius Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 i would love it if the priest faced the same direction of the people, it makes a ton more sense! but i'm not so concerned about the east direction. i mean, it's good symbolism, but it's not NECESSARY, i see no need to return to that especially after so many churches have been built not facing the east. if i were pope i'd make it so they all hadta face the same way as the people because it just makes more sense. that picture's awesome, ABC, what is the date of it? [img]http://perso.club-internet.fr/prilep/galerie2/cata/catacombes703.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popestpiusx Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 [quote name='Pio Nono' date='Mar 30 2004, 12:52 PM'] JMJ 3/30 - Fifth Tuesday of Lent To play devil's advocate... Sure, the Protestants took the high altar out of their churches and a separated "table" was a consequence of the Reformation...... But pews in churches were also a consequence of the Reformation. Before the Reformation, no one [i]ever[/i] sat in a church. There's a lot of good reasons not to sit, but the Church doesn't seem to have a problem with sitting. [/quote] The pews are accidental to the liturgy not essential. This doesn't affect the Mass itself one iota. An altar is esential for sacrifice. Replacing it with a table connotes a theological change (or shift rather than a change) in the case of the N.O. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellenita Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 CatholicCrusader, many thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatholicCrusader Posted March 30, 2004 Author Share Posted March 30, 2004 No problem--always here to expound on the tradition of the Church. God bless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popestpiusx Posted March 31, 2004 Share Posted March 31, 2004 [quote name='Dave' date='Mar 30 2004, 11:35 AM'] Regarding the statements about the EWTN Masses facing ad orientem, actually, back when the nuns were there, the Masses in the chapel were meant for them, so since they were on the other side of the altar, the priest faced toward them. It really wasn't an ad orientem issue. [/quote] You are right of course, but the bishop turned it into one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now