Tag Archives: altar

Meanwhile, in Kansas

This is from 1 March but I just found it today. The SSPX is building an amazing church in Kansas. The altar was installed.

Posted in SSPX | Tagged ,
9 Comments

ASK FATHER: Bring pebbles to church so we can make a new altar

The other day at lunch with a friend who was driving through the zone, after hearing a few of the things he had lately encountered in the Church I opined that we are moving from our phase of naive ecclesiastical … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged ,
9 Comments

Aftermath: the modernist star-trek altar from Notre-Dame de Paris

You might recall that the fire in the roof of Notre-Dame de Paris brought down part of the roof precisely over the modernist star-trek altar set up in the crossing of the nave and transepts.   A massive rubble smashed down … Read More

Posted in ¡Hagan lío!, Mail from priests | Tagged ,
4 Comments

ASK FATHER: Bishop forces priest to use table altar instead of high altar for Extraordinary Form

From priest… QUAERITUR: Recently my bishop refused to let me celebrate a Solemn High Mass at the high altar of the Church, insisting altar that is used in the Ordinary Form should be used. So I celebrated the Solemn High … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, Universae Ecclesiae | Tagged ,
14 Comments

ASK FATHER: Standing on altar to change sanctuary lamp.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: What is the consequence of standing on the alter table to change a hanging sanctuary lamp? (I just saw this after mass today) Consequences can be dire, especially for the ladies of the altar guild who … Read More

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22 Comments

ASK FATHER: Altar girls also Communion ministrices

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I went to Mass today in the diocese of [removed] as a visitor. The priest had 4 teen age alter girls and I actually received communion from one of them. This brought tears of sorrow to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged
16 Comments

ROME: Sacra Liturgia Conference – Day 2

Day 2 of the Sacred Liturgy conference in Rome is underway. The first talk this morning was by Gabriel Steinschulte on sacred liturgical music. He is the nephew of the late, great Msgr. Johannes Overath (a friend and colleague of … Read More

Posted in Brick by Brick, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, New Evangelization, On the road, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices, What Fr. Z is up to | Tagged , , , ,
18 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can Father require all servers to stand to receive Communion?

From a reader: My 10-year-old son, who daily receives Holy Communion on his tongue while kneeling (and in fact has never received standing) just completed altar server instruction. He was told that when he serves, he must receive standing!!! (for … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , ,
46 Comments

Brick by brick, altar by altar! Another parish turns “ad orientem”!

Here is some great news.   Fr. Jay Finelli, whose podcasts are up for an award in the same contest this blog is a part of (HERE – VOTE DAILY to help (Fr. Z’s Blog TOO!)), sent me a note … Read More

Posted in Benedict XVI, Brick by Brick, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, Year of Faith | Tagged , , , ,
10 Comments

Brick by Brick… Altar by Altar

My friend Fr. Richard Heilman, pastor of St. Mary’s in Pine Bluff, WI, in the Diocese of Madison – where there reigneth Bp. Morlino – has made the move to the East. After a process of catechesis, St. Mary’s has … Read More

Posted in "But Father! But Father!", "How To..." - Practical Notes, Benedict XVI, Brick by Brick, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, Year of Faith | Tagged , , , , ,
37 Comments

QUAERITUR: Bare altars (no cloths)

From a reader: Some churches in my diocese have recently begun the practice of having no altar cloth. I.e., only when Mass is said is there a small cloth unfolded on the altar beneath the paten and chalice — otherwise … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , ,
8 Comments

Brick by brick in Madison: an Altar-ation!

Brick by brick in Madison, WI, one of the wackiest liberal locales in the US of A. The great Bishop of Madison, Most Rev. Robert Morlino, about whom I have written quite a few times (his tag), has made a … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Just Too Cool, New Evangelization, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , , ,
29 Comments

QUAERITUR: Bowing to the altar instead of genuflecting during Mass. Fr. Z rants.

From a reader: Our new and much more traditional pastor joined us a few years ago, and within the first year he had the tabernacle moved behind the altar. (Which made me and many others very happy)I have observed the … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , ,
37 Comments

QUAERITUR: The number of altar steps and validity of Mass.

From a reader: A few years ago some modifications were made at our church including raising the floor level of the sanctuary. As a consequence the three steps that used to lead up to the high altar are now just … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , , , ,
19 Comments

WDTPRS POLL: What direction do you prefer for the altar?

We have had a few entries lately about the position of the altar.  Let’s have a quick poll. Please pick the best answer and share your reasons in the combox, below. I believe non-registered reader may be able to vote.

Posted in POLLS | Tagged , , , ,
34 Comments

Papal visit to Scotland: rumors about defiance of “Benedictine arrangment”

Damian Thompson posted this over at his place. My emphases and comments. The Pope’s Mass in Glasgow: are Benedict XVI’s liturgical wishes being ignored? Pope Benedict XVI likes to celebrate Mass on an altar bearing six candles, or seven if … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , ,
35 Comments

QUAERITUR: Where did Mass “facing the people” come from?

We should network our brain power for this.  Father’s tired. From a reader: I once wrote (by invitation) an article for a diocesan newspaper in which I mentioned, inter alia, that Vatican II never called for the priest to face … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Classic Posts, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , , ,
101 Comments

QUAERITUR: when to turn to the people when saying Mass “ad orientem”

From a priest reader: I have been working towards implementing some liturgical changes here, to include ad orientem since my sanctuary allows for adjusting the altar’s location to accommodate it.  What I am looking for is some rubrical aid.  At … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Mail from priests, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , , ,
28 Comments

A CALL TO PRIESTS who implemented ad orientem worship

Here is a call to priests who have implemented ad orientem worship in their parishes. The renowned liturgical scholar Fr. Klaus Gamber – who influenced also the liturgical theology of Joseph Ratzinger – thought that perhaps more than any other … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Mail from priests, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , , ,
9 Comments

What does GIRM 299 really say?

For those with too little time to read at length, let me give you a blunt summary: For decades the liturgical establishment has operated as if the Council required the abolition of Latin and the ripping out of versus Deum … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , , ,
2 Comments