From a priest reader:
I am a priest in my 60’s I remember serving the Tridentine mass. I am interested in celebrating mass ad orientem but I was wondering how. I have some questions.
1. At the beginning of the mass do you face the people with the dialogue, “The Lord be with you.” And the penitential rite. What about “The Lord be with you.” at the other times do you face the people then?
2. What about the readings, are they done in the usual way.
3. Again what about the dialogue prior to the Preface. Do you turn towards the people?
4. Do you celebrate mass in a low or loud tone of voice so that everyone can hear you.
Each Memorial day we have a beautiful altar at our cemetery, and we set up this rickety old card table. I would prefer to say mass at the altar but I would have to do so ad orientem.
Thanks for the questions.
I recommend that, if you begin at the "chair" rather than directly at the altar (as of old) you might face toward the liturgical "north" for the open dialogue, perhaps with a slight turn to the congregation for the "Dominus vobiscum" and turn to the altar for the Collect.
If another person is doing the first reading, etc. sit. Do the Gospel from the ambo. In other words, they are done in the usual way.
At the altar do everything
ad orientem turning to the congregation for the "Orate fratres" and the "Ecce Agnus Dei" and the final blessing, etc. Don’t turn to the people for the Preface dialogue. Don’t turn around with the host or chalice at the consecration. Just elevate them still facing
ad orientem.
In the Novus Ordo the Canon or Eucharistic Prayer is to be said aloud. Simply use the level of voice indicated in the rubrics.
I applaud your desire to celebrate Mass
ad orientem!