Ad Orientem in Ordinary Form of Mass

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I have been to a couple of masses my whole life that were done this way. I liked them. There are a couple of times, namely when inviting people to make the sign of peace (and one other , but I can’t recall right now) where since the priest was addressing the people and not God and not leading them in prayer, he turned around. That was a little awkward. But not a big deal. I think, in general, it would be a very good idea for it to be more widespread.
 
Pope Benedict XVI, celebrating Mass facing the people.

FYI, he celebrated both directions, as is licit for today’s liturgy

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I’ve got a great idea. Just make all churches “in the round”, put the altar in the middle, and let every attendee choose whether he wants to sit in front or in back of the priest. Also, hang two crucifixes facing opposite directions so you can perceive the one you prefer in relation to where the priest is facing. Problem solved.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
Just make all churches “in the round”
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A no win situation I’m afraid. I don’t like churches in the round. If anything does remind me of being at the theatre rather than in a church is a church in the round. Even so I’ve never seen one that’s as you describe. There’s usually still a sanctuary-end of the church. I’m not saying they don’t exist but I’ve never been to one, seen pictures of one or heard of one.
 
Actually, the church at the parish I grew up in, was that way, but not round.

The building was in the shape of the Cross itself.

Altar in the middle and pews facing from all four sides

The Crucifix hung above the altar, and the body of Jesus was on both sides so the people would see it as such, regardless of which side of the altar they sat on.

BTW, the Church was built at the end of the 19th Century. 😃

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Jim
 
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Here’s a Catholic church in the round in Virginia

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And here is one in Texas. I understand this parish is now building a new church that is in the normal oblong traditional church shape, so I guess they got tired of the round concept.

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JimR-OCDS said:
side
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I am a little skeptical that was the way it was designed in the 19th century. Yes, lots of churches were built in a cruciform fashion, but there were almost no free standing altars at that time. Indeed, it would be the only parish church from that timeframe that would have been built that way. Much more likely is that the altar was recessed into the top of the cross, the communion rail went across the front of the area, and all of the pews faced in one direction, even those on the arms of the cross.
The church was likely redone in the the wake of Vatican II, the altar area moved out to the mid-point of the cross and made free standing and the pews rearranged.

It simply would have been almost unheard of to be built the way you describe in the 19th century.
 
The modern round churches that were built in the 70s and 80s just do not work or function very well. The are completely out of style with new church’s being built. Even the folks who favor modern type designs (which I am sort of one) do not recommend those anymore to parishes building churches.
 
I think it would be great if the OF was celebrated ad orientem more often. It seems like a small detail but there is great significance behind it and I think it’s beautiful!
God bless!
 
Tis_Bearself said:
I’ve got a great idea. Just make all churches “in the round”, put the altar in the middle, and let every attendee choose whether he wants to sit in front or in back of the priest.
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I too have an idea. If at all possible, why don’t those who truly desire ad orientem, to try and seek out a Tridentine Latin Mass in their area. That way they can experience what Fr. Faber describes below.
"It is the most beautiful thing this side of heaven,” It came forth out of the grand mind of the Church and lifted us out of earth and out of self, and wrapped us round in a cloud of mystical sweetness and the sublimities of a more than angelic liturgy, and purified us almost without ourselves and charmed us with celestial charming so that our very senses seemed to find vision, hearing, fragrance, taste and touch more than ear can give.”

Fr. Frederick Faber describing the Tridentine Latin Mass .
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Tis_Bearself said:
I’ve got a great idea. Just make all churches “in the round”, put the altar in the middle, and let every attendee choose whether he wants to sit in front or in back of the priest. Also, hang two crucifixes facing opposite directions so you can perceive the one you prefer in relation to where the priest is facing. Problem solved.
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Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo 🙂
 
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