Tag Archives: versus populum

Mass “facing the people” and priest control freaks

The other day I had the privilege of meeting with a group of the Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulcher to talk about the Novus Ordo, the TLM and so forth. In talking about celebration of Mass I brought … Read More

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

“It is all the more effective for being so simple.”

I would like to echo what my friend, His Hermeneuticalness, Fr. Tim Finigan posted about ad orientem worship.  HERE Hint: “[T]o explain to an eleven year old server the symbolism of the eastward-facing orientation of the Lady Altar which he used … Read More

Posted in HONORED GUESTS, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests | Tagged ,
22 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can the priest say the older, Latin Mass ‘facing the people’?

From a reader: A local retired priest wishes to begin offering the EF of the Mass, but he wishes to offer it versus populum. He honestly believes he has that option. Is there a specific Church document forbidding this? If … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests | Tagged , , ,
47 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

QUAERITUR: Does a parish priest need the bishop’s permission to do….

From a reader: Does a parish priest need permission from his bishop to say Mass facing Jesus? Does he need permission to say, “No women on the altar.” Does he need permission to forbid stupid (but technically “approved”) songs from … Read More

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

Five wounds inflicted on Christ’s Mystical Body through our liturgy

Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Kazakhstan gave a speech on 15 January 2012 in which he listed  “five wounds” of the liturgical mystical body of Christ.  His whole address is on  Paix Liturgique. His basic premise is that the rupture in our liturgical … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The future and our choices | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
65 Comments

QUAERITUR: What to do about altars with huge Nativity scenes in front of them?

From a priest: As I prepare to take some time away from the during Christmastide, it occurs to me that all of the altars in my home town will have large, practically immovable, Nativity scenes in front of them. I … Read More

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

GIRM 299 and the old, uncorrected translation

From a reader: I’ve seen your posts in the past regarding the mistranslation of the Institutio Generalis 299, from which many argue that Holy Mass facing the people is desirable. [GIRM 299 actually says that what is desirable, when possible, … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , , ,
26 Comments

On the matter of “ad orientem” worship

Over a Southern Orders (you may remember their problem with rats) there is an excerpt from an article by my friend Fr. Uwe Michael Lang, CO, who presently works for the CDW in Rome.  Fr. Lang has been contributing good … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged , , , , ,
17 Comments

QUAERITUR: A priest must defend “ad orientem” for the Novus Ordo

From a priest starting ad orientem worship in his parish. Heavily edited: … [The dean] supports my decision for ad orientem in the Novus Ordo this weekend.  It will be in English.  He warned me that the bishop will give … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Brick by Brick, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
25 Comments

A priest speaks about celebrating Mass “ad orientem” for 5 years

This is from Vultus Christi, the blog of Fr. Mark Daniel Kirby is Prior of the Diocesan  Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle in Tulsa, Oklahoma established by H.E. Most Rev. Edward Slattery. Fr. Kirby speaks about his … Read More

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26 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

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

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