“ Altar-ation” (Or how the FSSP transform a modernistic free-standing altar into a very beautiful High Altar in around 15 minutes)

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“ Altar-ation” (Or how the FSSP transform a modernistic free-standing altar into a very beautiful High Altar in around 15 minutes)

 
Yet, this high altar arrangement was not the oldest style.
In olden times there was but one altar in a church. The Christian Fathers speak of one altar only, and St. Ignatius (Ep. ad Philadelph., 5) refers to this practice when he says: “One altar, as there is one bishop” (Unum altare omni Ecclesiae et unus Episcopus). This altar was erected in the middle of the sanctuary between the bishop’s throne, which stood in the apse, and the communion-rail, which separated the sanctuary from the body of the church.
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When the custom of erecting the episcopal throne on the gospel side of the sanctuary became prevalent, the high altar was removed nearer to the wall of the apse.
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Schulte, A.J. (1910). High Altar. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Rhttp://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07346b.htm
 
I find that the altar was much more attractive as it was at the beginning of the video.
 
Very nice! This seems to be happening more frequently, perhaps as the ‘spirit of Vatican II’ dwindles and young people become more knowledgeable about what’s been lost.
 
Don_Ruggero said:
I find that the altar was much more attractive as it was at the beginning of the video.
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Me too, I like the monastic simplicity of it. It also looks rock-solid whereas the flimsiness of the temporary arrangement strikes me as, well, flimsy. And overdone.

How are you father? I haven’t seen you on CAF in ages!
 
I agree in that I like the monastic simplicity of the altar at the beginning. But I have to admit, that if I didn’t see the transformation I would not have believed the altar hadn’t been constructed that way originally! And “monastic simplicity” has its place. Among monks in cells and private chapels. I like the transformed altar (keep wanting to type “alter” – it’s an altered altar) for a large church better.
 
OraLabora said:
Me too, I like the monastic simplicity of it. It also looks rock-solid whereas the flimsiness of the temporary arrangement strikes me as, well, flimsy. And overdone.
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Personally, I would have said “overwrought” instead of simply “overdone.”

With the renewed liturgy, marked as it is by the characteristic of noble simplicity, the altar should convey both the concept of being an altar as well as being a table. That balance can be difficult to actually attain in equal proportions…but it was very successfully achieved with this altar as we first see it – until stuff is piled upon it, that is.

Clearly, although briefly, the video permits us to see that it also achieved being the central focal point for the liturgical assembly of the worshiping community that regularly inhabits this edifice…as the place where the liturgical action is brought about. I would be pleased to be Presider at Eucharist in such a community.

And, yes, a monastic simplicity is a very good thing indeed.

A member reached out to let me know that CAF was being deactivated…which seems to be an act of great mercy for all concerned. I stopped by to see for myself what has happened. As I read Mr Sorenson’s note, that was sent to me, what he wrote described exactly why I had no wish to be further part of this forum – but I had determined that already months and months ago, @OraLabora. How sad that Catholic Answers could find no effective remedy for all the various sad issues he quite ably enumerated in his letter – save to render the forum dead, which I am given to understand is to happen on New Year’s Eve – ?
 
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yankeesouth said:
Very nice! This seems to be happening more frequently, perhaps as the ‘spirit of Vatican II’ dwindles and young people become more knowledgeable about what’s been lost.
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Well…seeing as the Fraternity of Saint Peter has two seminaries in the world – one seminary in the United States and one seminary in Germany – while the Neo-Catechumenal Way has more than 120 seminaries around the world, seeing this video I have great confidence that the young people of the world will become more knowledgeable of the renewal of our Church as a result of the Spirit’s gift of the Second Vatican Council and the liturgical reforms and ecumenical actions that the Spirit initiated at the Council.
 
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I thought the video was cool. I like to see different type of Catholics being cooperative and helping each other in the spirit of Philippians 2. It reminds me of how shared military chapels accommodate each other.
 
There seemed to me to be a safety issue with the narrow space on the top step immediately in front of the altar. If this transformation is done regularly it would make sense for the OF Altar to be made able to slide against the back wall.
 
I enjoyed watching this video clip. It was nice for once to see an altar look like it should. Although, I’m not sure why they put twelve rather than six candles on the altar. I am not aware of anything that was promulgated after Vatican II that required churches to rip out old altars and replace them by what look more like dining room tables than altars.
 
I remember this from when it first made the rounds on the internet, 10 or 12 years ago.
 
I like it because the tabernacle is returned to where it should be.

And if any neocatechumenal way folks stop by for mass, when they genuflect before they enter the pew they’ll actually be genuflecting for a reason.

They might actually revert.

I keed, I keed 😛
 
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I have often thought that different denominations, or even different religions, could use the same physical space with architectural assistance to be able to quickly change the space. Towns with five churches could continue to offer all they have now, but from one physical space, altered to suit the different needs of the congregation.
 
I’m actually a little surprised they allowed a woman inside the sanctuary, helping with the altar set up.
 
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