Ad Orientem Ordinary Form

[KnightOfSPUD]

Epistle-side and Gospel-side are still useful in referring to the right and left sides of the church respectively, when facing the sanctuary, but not in the context of the liturgy. Those positions are simply not regulated anymore since all Lessons and the Gospel are read from the ambo.

It’s quite possible to celebrate ad orientem simply from the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, while everything preceding can be celebrated from the chair.

But the flip side is, that’s not strictly regulated either, and it’s very much possible to do things at the altar. In this case, because of the relative freedom, the EF and Divine Worship postures can be adapted. This is completely something I’ve concocted on the spot and I don’t have any “official” material to back this up, just the principle of continuity.

Introit, sign of the cross: ad orientem, centre.
Greeting: versus populum, centre.
Penitential rite: ad orientem, centre.

Gloria: ad orientem, centre.

Collect: ad orientem, epistle side, at the altar.

Readings: ambo, versus populum.

Credo: ad orientem, centre.

Offertory: ad orientem, centre.

Lavabo: done at the epistle side and facing south (i.e. to the right). This means the credence table should be to the south of the altar.

Orate fratres: turns to the right to face the people, extends hands and joins them right away as he begins the says the phrase “Pray brethren”, and while continuing to say the Orate Fratres, continue to turn to the right back to the ad orientem position, completing the turn as he finishes the invitation ("…acceptable to God the Father almighty.")

Prayer over the gifts: ad orientem, centre.

Preface dialogue (sursum corda): all ad orientem, centre.

Sanctus: ad orientem, centre.

Canon: ad orientem, centre. Including elevations which would best be done by lifting the Species over the head so that the faithful can see.

Lord’s prayer: ad orientem, centre.

Pax domini sit semper vobiscum: versus populum, centre (GIRM mandated; in the EF, this is said ad orientem)

Silent prayers before communion: ad orientem, centre.

Ecce agnus Dei/Domine non sum dignus: versus populum, centre.

Postcommunion: ad orientem, epistle side.

Final “Dominus vobiscum” and blessing: versus populum, centre.

Dismissal: versus populum, centre.

Thanks for that. I’ll be showing to my parish priest tomorrow (Sunday).

More discussion is welcomed!

 

[OraLabora]

Speaking of OF Ad Orientem, has anyone ever heard of a church where the tabernacle is not visible from the assembly during a mass? Looking into that image I posted above and other images of that cathedral and the changes they’ve made to it, it got me thinking. As the tabernacle is not on the old altar that is to the right of that photo as I recall it being when I was a kid. It has actually been moved and is located behind the cathedra on the back side of the cathedra facing to the east itself (or back of the apse). Basically, here’s a view of the center altar with Cathedra behind it, and the tabernacle is directly behind the large cathedra on it’s back side.

I’d honestly never heard of or seen such an arrangement where the tabernacle wasn’t on the high altar (or what’s left of the high altar post OF implementation. In either event, makes it a bit harder still to do an ad orientem mass of either OF or EF does it not?

In many churches, including many monastic ones, the tabernacle is not visible from the nave. It is in a separate adoration chapel. This is nothing new. It includes many very old churches and cathedrals.

 

[Bballer32]

Yeah modern day it’s tough. I mean this is a Cathedral Basilica near where I grew up in San Jose, CA.

http://www.stjosephcathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IMG_8874-940x380.jpg

Good luck trying to figure out what is Versus Populam and Ad Orientum in a church like this. I mean where the original altar resides, is actually to the right behind those people.

I just don’t understand the nerve of the people who thought it would be a good idea to rearrange or “renovate” (more like wreck-ovate) cathedrals and churches in this style. I mean I understand how the poor liturgical theology seeped it’s way into the architecture of the Church, but man, it just confuses me… a lot.

 

[R_H_Benson]

I just don’t understand the nerve of the people who thought it would be a good idea to rearrange or “renovate” (more like wreck-ovate) cathedrals and churches in this style. I mean I understand how the poor liturgical theology seeped it’s way into the architecture of the Church, but man, it just confuses me… a lot.

Sadly, it was a way for the post-conciliar “Liturgical experts” to insure the permanence of their innovations, and to discourage tradition from reasserting itself by making it physically impossible for these “renovated” churches to accommodate the Mass of Ages without painstaking rearrangement and lots of effort.

 

[porthos11]

Yeah modern day it’s tough. I mean this is a Cathedral Basilica near where I grew up in San Jose, CA.

http://www.stjosephcathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IMG_8874-940x380.jpg

Good luck trying to figure out what is Versus Populam and Ad Orientum in a church like this. I mean where the original altar resides, is actually to the right behind those people.

Does that church have a clear apse, relative to the entrance/vestibule and the nave?

If so, then perhaps that can be identified as liturgical “east”.

 

[Padres1969]

Does that church have a clear apse, relative to the entrance/vestibule and the nave?

If so, then perhaps that can be identified as liturgical “east”.

It does, so you’re right Liturgical east could be identified if need be. Performing any kind of mass towards it however might prove problematic.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

I’d honestly never heard of or seen such an arrangement where the tabernacle wasn’t on the high altar (or what’s left of the high altar post OF implementation. In either event, makes it a bit harder still to do an ad orientem mass of either OF or EF does it not?

To add to those who have pointed out the precedent for locating the tabernacle in a separate area of the cathedral, both traditionally and in the present day (i.e., according to both EF and OF norms), the preference/recommendation is that when the bishop celebrates Mass the Sacrament should not be reserved on that altar.

 

[porthos11]

It does, so you’re right Liturgical east could be identified if need be. Performing any kind of mass towards it however might prove problematic.

Why so?