Ad Orientem in the OF

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Has anyone else noticed an increase of this ancient posture in the OF? I’ve recently encountered it at two parishes in my region as a visitor. At one, it was clearly a very recent change as the priest spent part of his homily explaining the tradition and symbolism behind it.

In my previous decade as a Catholic I had only once experienced AO in an OF mass- though I’ve seen it numerous other times in the EF, Anglican Use, and Byzantine Rite. I’m personally a big fan.
 
To clarify, this thread is not for debating Ad Orientem vs Versus Populum - just wondering if people have notice an increase of AO masses in the OF form.
 
Yes in my area two parishes recently changed to celebrating Ad Orientem. My parish has always since I been there.
 
I have never seen an OF mass celebrated ad orientem, in my area, sadly. I’ve seen videos of mass being said ad orientem, and I prefer the posture as the best posture for mass.
 
I attended a Sung Mass for Epiphany at my cathedral and the rector celebrated ad orientem. However, this was more or less a sparsely-attended daily Mass instance, and the posture has not caught on with the bishop for his big public liturgies.

But, brick by brick. So far it’s the one and only time I’ve seen an AO OF.
 
Glad there is a change going on. Seems to add more reverence to the Mass.
 
I’m “orientation neutral” and feel that the orientation should be the best suited to the arrangement of a particular church. I’ve seen an OF celebrated ad orientem on a couple of occasions, most notably at Monte Cassino in Italy (I’ve attended Mass there three times).

i179.photobucket.com/albums/w312/OraLabora/Italy%202009/DSCN0508.jpg

However at the abbey where I normally attend Mass, AO would not work well with the altar arrangement and the fact that some 20 or so monks concelebrate. I’m not complaining, the Mass is in Gregorian chant (Latin for the Propers, Latin/Greek for the Ordinary, the rest in French plainchant).

http://www.st-benoit-du-lac.com/horaireliturgie/concelebration.jpg
 
I attended a Eucharistic-Marian Congress last February. The Mass was in OF Ad Orientem in Latin. The Readings were read in English but the Gospel in Latin. They even put kneelers for communion for everybody to kneel. During communion, an altar server with a candle was with the priest giving communion.
 
OraLabora said:
I’m “orientation neutral” and feel that the orientation should be the best suited to the arrangement of a particular church.
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The problem is that so many church sanctuaries were positively wrecked in the past 50 years in the scramble to force versus populum down our throats. I feel that ad orientem is the most appropriate unless circumstances make it inconvenient, e.g. St. Peter’s Basilica.

But how many times has it happened that a frustrated priest will go in with a folding card table or something undignified simply to avoid facing East at a high altar?

I feel that churches should be arranged to facilitate ad orientem worship. And if it is possible to simultaneously enable versus populum, then more power to you.
 
Elizium23 said:
The problem is that so many church sanctuaries were positively wrecked in the past 50 years in the scramble to force versus populum down our throats. I feel that ad orientem is the most appropriate unless circumstances make it inconvenient, e.g. St. Peter’s Basilica.

But how many times has it happened that a frustrated priest will go in with a folding card table or something undignified simply to avoid facing East at a high altar?

I feel that churches should be arranged to facilitate ad orientem worship. And if it is possible to simultaneously enable versus populum, then more power to you.
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It is perfectly possible and permissible to celebrate ad orientem (even in the EF) at a freestanding altar. Even if the sancturary is new or wrecked, it shouldn’t pose a problem.
 
porthos11 said:
It is perfectly possible and permissible to celebrate ad orientem (even in the EF) at a freestanding altar. Even if the sancturary is new or wrecked, it shouldn’t pose a problem.
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Sometimes the freestanding altar is so close to the edge of the sanctuary that there’s no room for the celebrant to stand without falling backward.
 
Aren’t there a certain number of steps (three?) needed in front of the altar for proper execution of thr EF?
 
Elizium23 said:
Aren’t there a certain number of steps (three?) needed in front of the altar for proper execution of thr EF?
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Only for convenience maybe, but Latin Masses AFAIK can be said on the backs of jeeps or trucks. The rules of IGMR/GIRM do not apply.
 
I think there has been a shift in understanding that is gradually being reflected in a change in practice. Cardinal Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation of Divine Liturgy, recently wrote:
Contrary to what has at times been sustained, and in conformity with the Conciliar Constitution , it is absolutely fitting that during the Penitential Rite, the singing of the Gloria, the orations and Eucharistic Prayer, for everyone – the priest and the congregation alike– to face ad orientem together, expressing their will to participate in the work of worship and redemption accomplished by Christ. This way of doing things could be fittingly carried out in the cathedrals where the liturgical life must be exemplary (n. 4).
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When the man who is second only to the Pope in regards to liturgy makes such statements it is significant. And, of course, this is carrying on the liturgical vision of Pope Benedict, so this has been coming from the top for some time now. It is only to be expected that it would eventually take effect more and more at the parish level.
 
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