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Benedict XVI for Baptism of the Lord: Mass ad orientem in the Sistine Chapel
Big news.
Step by step we have seen the Holy Father and his new MC, Msgr. Guido Marini, reintroducing elements of a more traditional liturgical style.
For the Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord, 13 January, the Holy Father will as usual celebrate Holy Mass in the Sistine Chapel. However, instead of setting up an ironing board in front of the main altar (beneath the Last Judgement of Michaelangelo), the Holy Father will actual use the main altar.
Here is an APCOM story in my translation, emphases and comments.
POPE: TOMORROW WILL SAY MASS WITH HIS BACK [its a cliche in any language] TO THE FAITHFUL IN THE SISTINE CHAPELI contend that more damage was done by turning around the orientation of Mass than perhaps any single other change.
For reasons of architecture, baptisms with the pre-Conciliar use [and post Conciliar. Nothing in the documents requires that Mass be said facing the people.]
Vatican City, 12 Jan (Apcom) A thing unusual and original [See how ridiculous things have become? When something like this is perceived as being "outlandish"?]: tomorrow the Pope will celebrate Mass during which he will baptize 13 children in the Sistine Chapel "with his back to the faithful and his gaze toward the Cross". A note from the liturgical office mentions, in fact, that "this year a wooden platform will not be erected bearing a special altar for the occasion, but the true [
"proprio"] altar of the Sistine Chapel will be used.
"It was decided to celebrate at the old altar so as not to alter the beauty and harmony of this archtectural jewel", the Vatican note explained,[This was the point of an editorial years ago in Notitiae, which is my translation is available widely on the internet: "do not destroy the harmony of the place, by putting up a table in front of a main altar. It is better to use the main altar in those cases and not have two altars in the same space."] "preserving its structure from the point of view of the celebration and using a possibility foreseen in the liturgical norms. [This is just Vaticanese. In fact, far from being just a "possibility":, the rubrics actually presuppose that Mass is celebrated ad orientem.] This means that in some moments the Pope will be seen with his back turned to the faithful [BUT NOBODY PANIC!!] and his gaze at the Cross, thus reorienting the attitude and the disposition of the whole assembly. [And this, dear friends, is the real reason why it is going to happen. Listen to my PODCAzTs on what Benedict thinks about ad orientem worship.]
The liturgical office nevertheless clarified that, "the celebration will have the usual order and the ordinary Missal will be used, namely, that of Paul VI. [It is so ridiculous that some people think that just because Mass is said ad orientem, therefore it must be the "old way". So, they have to say things like this in press statements.] "Benedict XVI will wear some vestments belonging to John Paul II and during the rite of baptism" the notice from the liturgical office continues, "he will draw the water from an artistic font in bronze, made some years ago by the scuplture Lello Scorzelli, the same artist who made the crozier used during the whole pontificate of Papa Wojtyla.
The Pontiff, as usual, will pour the water on the heads of the children using a glided shell. The gesture has a rich meaning. Indeed, from the liturgical point of view, the shell harks to the pilgrimage, symbolizing the new journey that the baptized begin once they have entered to take part in the community of believers."
This is am important move upon which, I hope, much else will turn.
Dominate, Holy Father, dominate.
Comment by Jason in San Antonio — 12 January 2008 @ 5:53 pmHello Father,
Hail Mary!
I’m sorry but… WOO HOO
Saedia Gestatoria or Papal Tiara for the next step?
Comment by Mike — 12 January 2008 @ 6:25 pmThis is the best news I’ve heard all day, all week, all year. While I have absolutely no problems with the Extraordinary Form, I have long awaited the public celebration of the Novus Ordo ad orientem by the Holy Father. The Holy Father is indeed setting a precedent so that now churches all over the world can follow suit, “so as to not alter the beauty and harmony” of their respective architectures.
Comment by TNCath — 12 January 2008 @ 6:32 pm“he will draw the water from an artistic font in bronze, made some years ago by the scuplture Lello Scorzelli, the same artist who made the crozier used during the whole pontificate of Papa Wojtyla.”
Please tell me that it’s not THAT font:
http://bp1.blogger.com/_GK9vk5xxaSs/RaYwZ4IuQAI/AAAAAAAAAN0/f5eGFDJZfs8/s1600-h/Pope+Benedict+XVI+Baptism.jpg
Comment by SMJ — 12 January 2008 @ 6:37 pmI think it is. That font is frightening, just like the pastoral cross. Surely the Vatican has nicer fonts and hopefully something to baptize with besides a scallop shell.
Comment by Michael — 12 January 2008 @ 6:51 pmI contend that more damage was done by turning around the orientation of Mass than perhaps any single other change.
Surely true. I’ll bet anyone would agree who has experienced the Novus Ordo with all 4 possibilities: (vernacular or Latin) and (ad orientem or versus populum). Though Latin has its own pride of place, ad orientem celebration makes a much bigger difference than whether the language is Latin or vernacular. With ad orientem you know it’s not just words the priest is saying, rather a significant action that he’s carrying out (in the person of Christ). Ad orientem leaves no doubt something is actually happening at the altar.
Comment by Henry Edwards — 12 January 2008 @ 7:11 pmMichael,
The scallop shell has a centuries old symbolism in baptism (for those that don’t understand terms relating to lengths of time- that means a long long long long time well before Vatican II.)
Why must people be on a constant lookout for something negative. Learn to appreciate the gains we have patiently made during this pontificate.
Comment by John F. — 12 January 2008 @ 7:22 pmI am very encouraged by this news. A question for someone: Is this altar in the Sistine literally ad orientem?
Comment by Mark — 12 January 2008 @ 7:25 pmMark: Is this altar in the Sistine literally ad orientem?
I believe the altar is on the western wall of the Sistine chapel, so the celebrant facing it is actually facing west. So perhaps ad occidentem (west) is in this case liturgical east (orientem), with the priest and people together facing God and Cross.
Comment by Henry Edwards — 12 January 2008 @ 7:39 pmCome on, John F. Nowhere in my post did I deny that, “The scallop shell has a centuries old symbolism in baptism.” My point was that there are more dignified receptacles than a gilded seashell for use in such a solemn ritual. I also don’t care for the tree branches that have come to replace the aspergillum in so many places.
Comment by Michael — 12 January 2008 @ 8:18 pmVivat Benedictus XVI!!
Comment by techno_aesthete — 12 January 2008 @ 9:03 pmDoesn’t the Holy Father already do this in private?
Comment by Jack — 12 January 2008 @ 9:59 pmThank God for Our Holy Father’s courage in teaching through example. We must pray that Our Lord gives B-16 the strength to continue for many more years. Celebrating Ad Orientem and a good translation of the Holy Mass at the local level would be a good start at re-catechizing our people. I pray Our Holy Father will continue with the work begun and reinforce with some major Liturgical documents putting it all into law.
Comment by Fr. Jay Finelli — 12 January 2008 @ 10:16 pmA superb dog bites man story! At least, that’s what we hope it will become. Cheers!
Comment by Fr Renzo di Lorenzo — 12 January 2008 @ 10:26 pmALLELUIA!
Comment by Mary Ann — 12 January 2008 @ 11:14 pmFr. Jay Finelli, my thoughts exactly. Couldn’t have put it better. I pray especially for more binding directives on music, and that people will LISTEN and obey.
The only downside to the Benedicting reform is the toll it takes on my walle…having to constantly re-stock the cellar.
Comment by schoolman — 12 January 2008 @ 11:15 pmGreat news. I hope the bishop of Fresno California and the rest of the American bishops will be watching and follow the Holy Fathers lead. I am sure there will be many aging hippy priests and bishops playing their old records and eight tracks of Bob Dylan singing “The times they are a changin” or maybe Willie Nelson singing “Turn out the lights, the parties over…” God bless our Holy Father with many more years.
Comment by Central Valley Catholic — 12 January 2008 @ 11:28 pmI couldn’t agree more with Fr. Z’s opinion.
Comment by Dr. Peter H. Wright — 13 January 2008 @ 12:09 amThe introduction in the 1960s of Mass “facing the people” has undoubtedly been the biggest disaster in the liturgical revolution which hijacked first the liturgical movement and then Vatican II.
I can’t believe it! This is huge! I will be staying up to watch this live (1am PST) tonight! (Okay, I had planned to anyway, but still…)
Comment by Geoffrey — 13 January 2008 @ 12:15 amI certainly agree that changing the orientation of the priest during Mass was the most destructive modification in the liturgy.
However, let’s review WHY this is: The cult of self that is running loose across the western world. The idea of doing whatever it takes to be happy; to look out for “number one” is brought to it’s logical conclusion in the Mass, which is completely directed toward GOD is celebrated toward OURSELVES. From there we see the focus of the Mass being, “what can I get out of Mass” or “what do I like at Mass”, instead of “what can I do to help give the best to our merciful God, despite my unworthiness?” No longer do we see ourselves unworthy. Not only do we see ourselves as worthy, but actually expect that we get something from it. While a Mass well celebrated gives us, as a bi-product, a desire to love and serve God and the Church better in the context of our personal lives, it certainly isn’t about what we can get out of it.
It is entirely clear that the change in orientation, the removal or replacement of the crucifix from the center of the sanctuary, and the continuous focus on the congregation, instead of God, has simply served to continue, instead of reversing, the sad trend in our culture of “looking out for number one”, and having an incredibly distorted view of who “number one” should be.
Comment by Adam Schwend — 13 January 2008 @ 12:40 amAll of these wonderful changes have come in just over 2 and a half years of this Pontificate. Benedict could easily live another 10 years. Imagine the changes by then!
Comment by Timothy James — 13 January 2008 @ 12:48 amOf course, the Holy Father has been offering Holy Mass ad orientem in, for instance, St Peter’s Basilica, all along, but people haven’t noticed that so much until, perhaps, the more recent move to place the crucifix on the altar once again. That crucifix cancels the “window through the candles” effect that was there before. It is now the Sacrifice that is of concern.
Ad orientem tends to draw people into the Sacrifice on the Altar. Conversely, non ad orientem tends to do the opposite.
I remember seeing a non ad orientem children’s Mass (though teenagers were present) that brought things to their conclusion: after Communion they were told not only to face each other, gaping at each other, but, in order to do this, they were told to turn away from the altar.
It just comes to mind that we would do well to remember the “little people” behind the scenes who help the Holy Father in the way that he wants. Whenever there are “changes” such as are being wrought by the Supreme Pontiff, those who are faithful to him suffer horrendously from those who hate the “changes”. I’m thinking not only of the Vatican, but also all those parishes following the lead of Benedict. The politics can be deadly. Hail Mary…
Comment by Fr Renzo di Lorenzo — 13 January 2008 @ 1:20 amI am watching the Mass live on EWTN & CTV now. It is very nice. All in Italian, so far. I was hoping for Latin. Oh well… it is very solemn, nonetheless. 13 babies to be baptised. What an experience for them and their parents!
The same baptismal font is being used, which doesn’t bother me personally. John Paul the Great started this custom of baptising infants on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, and the font was designed for this purpose. Pope Benedict XVI wanted to continue it, so in a way it could be considered “traditional”... ;-)
The Holy Father apparently mispronounced the name of the first child to be baptised and the parents corrected him… the Holy Father then said “excuse me” in Italian. I don’t think I’d have the guts to correct the Pontiff! I think I would have let it slide!
The Holy Father is using another ornate and elevated throne, one that I am guessing has not been seen in a while. I could be wrong…
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