Ad Orientam

[Nowhere_Man]

If a Priest wants to say Mass Ad Orientam can it be done on any type of altar? Or does it have to be a pre-Vatican II style altar? Also, are there any special rubrics for saying Mass Ad Orientam?

 

[MarkThompson]

It can be done on any type of altar, provided there is enough room on the side where he would stand. For what it’s worth, there’s nothing “pre-Vatican II style” about altars connected to the wall; the altars at places like St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, Santa Maria Maggiore, and San Clemente are and have always been freestanding. I don’t think there are any special rubrics for it, though obviously the priest must decide when to face the altar and when to face the congregation, and generally priests adapt the rubrics of the old form of the Mass to this end.

(Also, by the way, the spelling is “ad orientem”.)

 

[Nowhere_Man]

It can be done on any type of altar, provided there is enough room on the side where he would stand. For what it’s worth, there’s nothing “pre-Vatican II style” about altars connected to the wall; the altars at places like St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, Santa Maria Maggiore, and San Clemente are and have always been freestanding. I don’t think there are any special rubrics for it, though obviously the priest must decide when to face the altar and when to face the congregation, and generally priests adapt the rubrics of the old form of the Mass to this end.

(Also, by the way, the spelling is “ad orientem”.)

I couldn’t think of another way to describe them

And thanks for the info and spelling correction.

 

[malphono]

The only special rubrics are really those pertaining to the incensation of a free-standing altar. These were officially revived with the 1962 Missal, which includes a diagram for same.

 

[Catholicben]

If you read up on the GIRM, I believe it actually gives you the rubrics for an Ad-orientem mass (Face the people at this time, incense the altar from right to the left, etc…)

 

[corsair]

An Ad Orientem Mass can be celebrated on most any Altar. Just dress it properly. There have been several articles on the New Liturgical Movement website complete with photos. We are trying to convince our parochial vicar to celebrate a NO (OF) Mass ad orientem this year. The Adoremus Hymnal has a pretty good description of the rubrics for it.

 

[basenji]

Corsair: I know you make it up to Blessed Sacrament in Seattle from time to time. They are having an ad orientem Mass at 12pm on June 6th, Corpus Christi – which is also the feast day of their parish.

 

[corsair]

Basenji,
Darn, going to have to miss that one as I will be in California for two of my grandchildren’s first communion. Corpus Christi at North American Martyr’s will be celebrating with a Procession around the church, High Mass and Benediction afterwards. Going to miss that too for the same reason.
And just to mention; there is a Solemn High Dominican Mass at Blessed Sacrament on August 7th this year. Tudor choir is singing the chant. This will be to celebrate St. Dominic’s feast.

 

[Spirithound]

If you read up on the GIRM, I believe it actually gives you the rubrics for an Ad-orientem mass (Face the people at this time, incense the altar from right to the left, etc…)

In fact, the rubrics for the Ordinary Form actually presume the Mass is being celebrated ad orientem. Only when the Mass is ad populum do certain directives to face the congregation become superfluous.

 

[Digitonomy]

The only special rubrics are really those pertaining to the incensation of a free-standing altar. These were officially revived with the 1962 Missal, which includes a diagram for same.

So what was the practice prior to 1962?

 

[malphono]

So what was the practice prior to 1962?

I never experienced Mass celebrated on a free-standing altar before that edition of the MR, but I suspect that the incensation was done in the same was as for a fixed altar. Perhaps japhy has some better insight into the practice.

 

[Famule]

It can be done on any type of altar, provided there is enough room on the side where he would stand. For what it’s worth, there’s nothing “pre-Vatican II style” about altars connected to the wall; the altars at places like St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, Santa Maria Maggiore, and San Clemente are and have always been freestanding. I don’t think there are any special rubrics for it, though obviously the priest must decide when to face the altar and when to face the congregation, and generally priests adapt the rubrics of the old form of the Mass to this end.

(Also, by the way, the spelling is “ad orientem”.)

Interestingly, the Sacramentary gives some of the directions as to when the priest is supposed to face the altar and when he is supposed to face the people. I’m talking 1970, 1984 and other editions. Maybe all editions.