4Real Forums: Priest facing altar not congregation

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Topic: Priest facing altar not congregation

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LucyP
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Posted: June 19 2008 at 2:46pm \| IP Logged

Today DS and I went to daily Mass. The usual day Mass chapel is flooded out, so it was held in the Blessed Sacrament chapel, and Father faced the altar the whole time, except for the peace, and when he was in his chair. I was telling dh about it when we got back and how "different" it seemed, and I said I thought it was because he couldn't turn his back on Jesus in the tabernacle....is that right?

Bridget
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Posted: June 19 2008 at 3:41pm \| IP Logged

It's called Ad Orientum. The Holy Father has celebrated public Masses this way occasionally lately.

The priest is facing the tabernacle, looking to Christ, WITH his congregation.

I love it. The priest 'disappears', becoming a tool for the Lord.

Our priest has been doing this for daily Mass for a while now.

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doris
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Posted: June 19 2008 at 3:50pm \| IP Logged

Yes, far from 'having his back to the people' (as some would see it), the priest in this case is very clearly 'one of us', coming from the people to the altar. I see it as very humble and anonymous on the part of the priest, as Bridget says.

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CKwasniewski
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Posted: June 19 2008 at 6:38pm \| IP Logged

There is a great book on this by Fr. Michael Lang, Turning towards the Lord. It shows that this tradition goes back to the early church, and explains the theology behind it. Definitely worth reading!

ck

Philothea
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Posted: June 19 2008 at 8:12pm \| IP Logged

This is one of the many things I wish they'd bring into the new Mass from the old one. It makes it so much more "all about God" and so much less "all about us."

crusermom
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Posted: June 20 2008 at 8:16am \| IP Logged

I belong to an Anglican use parish and our Masses are all done this way. It is very beautiful and prayerful. I will have to get a copy of the book by Father Lang - thanks.

Mary

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