A slightly awkward positioning for Mass

[Vittorio23]

Tell me what all of you think of this…

For the Saturday vigil Mass, the congregation (usually rather small 20-30 people max) is asked to sit in the sanctuary pews ((kinda like the ones Benedictines or Trappists or what have yous would sit in, facing each other on each side)). Well, here’s the awkward part: the tabernacle is now on your left hand side and the altar is on your right hand side and you are kneeling facing forward.

I find this so completely awkward for the entire Mass.

Anyone else?

 

[Silver_Thread]

Tell me what all of you think of this…

For the Saturday vigil Mass, the congregation (usually rather small 20-30 people max) is asked to sit in the sanctuary pews ((kinda like the ones Benedictines or Trappists or what have yous would sit in, facing each other on each side)). Well, here’s the awkward part: the tabernacle is now on your left hand side and the altar is on your right hand side and you are kneeling facing forward.

I find this so completely awkward for the entire Mass.

Anyone else?

You should find it awkward. Raise your objection to the priest. If no response, find another church.

 

[Scotty_PGH]

Tell me what all of you think of this…

For the Saturday vigil Mass, the congregation (usually rather small 20-30 people max) is asked to sit in the sanctuary pews ((kinda like the ones Benedictines or Trappists or what have yous would sit in, facing each other on each side)). Well, here’s the awkward part: the tabernacle is now on your left hand side and the altar is on your right hand side and you are kneeling facing forward.

I find this so completely awkward for the entire Mass.

Anyone else?

That *would *be awkward.

 

[SMHW]

Well, there’s nothing wrong with facing sideways. Antiphonal seating is has a long history in the Catholic Church. People with churches like that have always had to deal with the fact that you aren’t facing the altar and/or tabernacle when you kneel. It would be just as awkward for you in one of those churches because you’re not used to it.

I love visiting the nearby seminary chapel because it has the most beautiful set-up with antiphonal seating.

I’d be more concerned about the fact that you seem to be sitting in the sanctuary. But to the best of my knowledge, the distinction between where the sanctuary ends and the rest of the church begins is somewhat arbitrary. I don’t think a certain part of the floor is consecrated or anything.

I know of at least one California mission that has had a wing off to the side of the altar which seats nearly as many people as the ‘main’ body of the church. The people sitting there have always had a view kind of like what you mention (except that the tabernacle is in a little alcove in the wing rather than ‘behind’ the altar.

 

[acadian]

Our church is shaped like a “T”. The priest faces the people on the long part of the T, but the side wings usually fill up first.

In college, the church I attended on campus had been added on to. There was the “old side” and the “new side”. The “old side” was a traditional rectangular shaped church. When the “new side” was added, it faced the old side, and the altar and other fixtures were turned sideways.

It’s what you get used to, I think.

 

[puzzleannie]

option described in OP is an ancient tradition, and is where the term “choir” comes from, as the monks would have been seated this way, in choirs, for LOTH and Mass. very appropriate for a small chapel or for daily Mass with fewer attending.