Adapted NO altar for TLM?

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Has anyone’s parish with a typical Novus Ordo altar adapted it for temporary use for a Tridentine Mass?

I know of the video on Youtube showing the altar being transformed in 15 minutes…from France, I believe. But that sanctuary didn’t have a tabernacle directly behind the Novus Ordo altar.

I ask because I’m slowly making my plans to ask our pastor to just try out offering a Low Mass one time, and see what kind of a reaction it gets from the parish community. I was thinking on a First Saturday.

Our tabernacle is where it should be, on somewhat of a high altar, although not very elaborate. Its not hidden, that’s for sure; and its not movable either.

Would we need some sort of temporary tabernacle on the retro-fitted Novus Ordo altar? Or just maybe a good sized crucifix, two candles and some flowers?

If that’s the case, we would still genuflect, right?..because the Blessed Sacrament is in the tabernacle behind the adapted altar.

Look forward to hearing from you.
 
At a mass near me, they just use the regular free standing altar (which also is not movable). The tabernacle and altar are separated by some 3 or 4 feet, but it doesn’t affect the flow of mass too much. No other alteration seemed to be necessary. If I remember, its also how things are done at St. Agnes in Manhatten.
 
Sorry, forgot, they do add 2 to 6 candles (depending on the mass) and a moderate size crucifix to the altar.
 
I routinely “transform” the lower chapel in my parish for First Friday Masses. This picture was from September 14, 2007; since then I have bought a larger crucifix for the altar. The tabernacle is in the center, in the wall behind the altar. I consider it to be in moral union with the altar, and make the genuflections.
 
Magnum_V8 said:
Would we need some sort of temporary tabernacle on the retro-fitted Novus Ordo altar? Or just maybe a good sized crucifix, two candles and some flowers?

If that’s the case, we would still genuflect, right?..because the Blessed Sacrament is in the tabernacle behind the adapted altar.

Look forward to hearing from you.
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It is not required to have a tabernacle on the altar.

Regarding genuflections, it seems that most modern manuals, following Continental practice, prescribe that altar servers should genuflect whether or not a tabernacle is present - if no tabernacle, then to the altar cross. I don’t have experience at Traditional Masses, but I imagine that this practice is probably followed almost everywhere

However, some pre-conciliar American ceremonials that I’ve seen, allow for bows rather than genuflections when the tabernacle is not on the altar. However, if the tabernacle is close and not very far behind the altar, you should genuflect.
 
Will this be necessary if/when all Novus Ordo Masses will be said *ad orientem? *
 
ProVobis said:
Will this be necessary if/when all Novus Ordo Masses will be said *ad orientem? *
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Our is already said that way and I am hoping for it too.

The freestanding altar is never used at my parish.
 
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ProVobis:
Will this be necessary if/when all Novus Ordo Masses will be said ad orientem?
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Interestingly enough, in my parish the priest never faced actual east until the NO. Now he faces east AND the people. Fine deal for me.

I think a far more accurate term would be talking about the people (e.g. versus populum or not). So called liturgucal east makes little sense to me. The question is does he face the congregation or not?

John
 
John_Higgins said:
Interestingly enough, in my parish the priest never faced actual east until the NO. Now he faces east AND the people. Fine deal for me.

I think a far more accurate term would be talking about the people (e.g. versus populum or not). So called liturgucal east makes little sense to me. The question is does he face the congregation or not?

John
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Good point. One thing that struck me when I visited our Cathedral in Toledo was that the celebrant, in the days of the TLM, would’ve been facing WEST! I thought to myself, if such importance was allegedly placed upon facing east, then why would an entire Cathedral be designed backwards?
 
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