Face front or back during Processional?

  • Thread starter Thread starter robertaf
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
R

robertaf

Guest
I started this thread in a different discussion group but got no response. I think it belonged here to begin with.

Many years ago, I was taught that when the Priest, Deacon and Ministers process into the Church and the Deacon is holding “Jesus in the Word” aloft, we are to turn and face the Word. I do not mean “greeting the Priest”. This has come up in discussions before.

In explanation, we were told that during a wedding we always turn and face the bride and her companions, why should we ever do less to Jesus in the Word. I know in certain areas of the Country this is quite common. However, I do not see it here, and my husband and I are the only ones in our church to turn as Mass begins.

Can anyone tell me what is correct?
 
is this another case of traditionalists dreaming up extra little rules and regs to show how much holier they are than the rest of us who are content with the Mass according the universal roman Missal of 1976, the GIRM, and the authority of our own bishop, successor to the apostles.
 
Good Mornimg

No, in fact I am very sincere with this question. Being a Charismatic Catholic for over 30 years, few people here would call me much of a traditionalist, although I do believe I am quite orthodox.

The fact is, turning to face the procession, specifically the Book, was being stressed a lot in my Southern California Diocese. We had a few good teachings which made very good sense then we moved to Northern California and I have not heard a word.

Since my family always are the only ones to face the back at the beginning of Mass, this does come to mind now and then.

I have been surprised that you are the only one to address my thread. It makes me think that it has no particular importance.
 
it might be a kickback to the jewish synagouge service, as the jew would face the torah as it entered. but i dont think we do that in catholic churches usually. but i have been to a mass where they did this as a parish custom.
 
In my parish the procession takes place down front coming in from the side and usually the only time I attend another parish is for a wedding or a funeral… I don’t think facing the back is done very often, at least in my part of the country.
 
40.png
puzzleannie:
is this another case of traditionalists dreaming up extra little rules and regs to show how much holier they are than the rest of us who are content with the Mass according the universal roman Missal of 1976, the GIRM, and the authority of our own bishop, successor to the apostles.
Click to expand...
Wow - how in the world did you come to that conclusion from the question asked and why so much hostility?
 
Yes, Jesus is present in the Word; He is also present in the assembly.

But He is substantially present (Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity) in the tabernacle. To turn and face the celebrant, someone holding the Word aloft, or a bride seems disrespectful to Our Lord residing in the tabernacle, Who we have come to worship.

No mandate to turn away from the tabernacle in the GIRM? (And this is presupposing that the tabernacle is centrally and prominantly located.)
 
Interesting observation Panis.

If Jesus is present in each way, Word, Community and Holy Eucharist, and truly present, how can he be more present in one than the other?

My mind is not absorbing this concept.

It is disrespectful to turn your back on one Jesus but not on another?

Please explain.
 
Granted the GIRM doesn’t have anything to say about this, the comment about not turning away from the tabernacle borders on a little silly; taken to its logical conclusion, one would have to back out of church until one was through the doors and could not see the tabernacle.

And if Christ were to physically appear at a wedding, standing in front of the altar as the bride came in, do you not think He would direct us to look at the bride?

Reverence is important; but let’s not turn it into hyper reverence. The focus of the Mass as it starts is on the Lectionary as it is being processed in; otherwise, why have the directions as to how to carry it, and why even carry it at all in procession, if it were to have no import at all?

And if we want to carry this a little further, what is one to do when there is a procession of the Eucharist, for example on Corpus Christi Sunday? Isn’t the Eucharist both in the monstrance being carried, and in the tabernacle? I suppose we can call that on the fact that one is exposed and one isn’t; but plain common sense indicates that the object of the procession is to be observed.

But of course, our posture is not specifically stated in the GIRM during the Entrance Procession, so it must be an abuse to turn and look (nee holding hands during the Our Father)…
 
Around here, in Connecticut, we usually turn to face the aisle during the procession at Mass. We do not turn all the way around to face the back. Only our heads follow the procession, our bodies face the center aisle. Just like at a wedding.

During Eucharistic Procession, we (used to) genuflect and make the sign of the Cross as the Eucharist in the monstrance went by. (Not many processions any more, though, that I am aware of.)

Genuflecting and making the Sign of the Cross also occurs if the people are being sprinkled with Holy Water.

No controversy over these practices detected here. But there are always non-participating daydreamers. They don’t usually bother me.
 
Good Morning Church
Good Morning Olympia

That is exactly what we did in our Southern California parish.

Even though it is meant to honor Jesus in the Word, in a small way, it also greets the Celebrant and the ministers, which never seemed a bad thing to me.

We just never stood facing flat front as they processed in with the Book held aloft.

I always give a slight bow to “the Word”, but nothing for attention, just to Honor Who He Is.

It is really funny, because once I went through a teaching and we were asked if we wouldn’t give Jesus in the Word, at least the same respect we would give a bride and her party at a wedding, I have never been able to face front again. Little things like that sometimes tweek me, I guess.

Of course, we have also been taught about Jesus the BrideGroom.

This was not meant to be a big legalistic thing, but rather how folks have been taught in different parts of the country.
 
I love it when there is a special procession. It is very inspiring. I always turn my head, and sometimes my whole body,to see it. It warms my heart and brings tears to my eyes, like bagpipes in a parade.

At my regular parish the priest does not normally have an opening procession. He apprears from behind the altar area. He has a closing one though. He is otherwise quite traditional with the liturgy. I think he has a rather reserved personality and doesn’t like unplanned conversations with parishioners. He does have processions for special occasions.

I recently attended a Mass at the Cathedral and they had a special procession with banners of all the various ministries of the parish. It was wonderful and inspiring. I turned around because it enhanced my experience of that lovely and colourful sight.🙂
 
I love special processions, too!

Some are more beautiful than others. Since going through the little teachings I mentioned earlier, I have come to love the Sunday Processional, even though it seems sort of routine. I love the Ministry of the Word, love hearing the readings and my heart sort of tightens up when I see the Book carried aloft.

Does this make me a silly, old, sentimental broad? Maybe, but I tend to get all choked up and cry, occaisionally when I receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. I grew up non-Catholic and even though I have been a Catholic for almost 50 years, I still have not got past realizing what Holy Mother Church has been to me.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.
 
Interesting observation Panis.
Click to expand...
If Jesus is present in each way, Word, Community and Holy Eucharist, and truly present, how can he be more present in one than the other?
Click to expand...
My mind is not absorbing this concept.
Click to expand...
It is disrespectful to turn your back on one Jesus but not on another?
Click to expand...
Please explain.
Click to expand...
I am not Panis but I can give it a shot. First there was the Word. The Word became Flesh. That is Jesus who is present physically in the Eucharist. Jesus is not physically present in the Book of the Gospels. The Eucharist is the only thing on Earth that contains the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus. If the tabernacle is empty or not visible during Mass, then I suppose one could argue that the centerpoint for our attention could be the Book of the Gospels. However, in such circumstances, the Church directs that we make a sign of reverence to the altar where the Sacrifice of the Mass takes place so personnaly, I would not see that as a reason to turn around. I don’t think there is anything wrong with turning to face the procession, I just don’t see a Liturgical reason to say that this is what should be done.
 
Part of this question is related to the introduction of pews, believe it or not. The church doesn’t have any rules about this because it would never be an issue until recent times.

One reverenced the tabernacle when one crossed directly in front of it, not when walking around 40 feet down the nave.

Before pews, people stood in a random pattern in the sanctuary and faced wherever the action was. I mean they actually stood facing in that direction, not unnaturally standing forward and twisting their shoulders to observe.

Part of the function of the acolytes and altar servers and deacons processing out in front with candles and censers swinging was to clear a path. Of course, everyone knew they were coming so a keen observer wouldn’t leave baby on the floor right down the middle of the nave! (hopefully)

It would be nice to see a parish without seating, except for the elderly and infirm. Give worshippers the freedom to move, genuflect and prostrate themselves. It recaptures the flavor of what Catholic worship was like many generations ago.

Pews are unnatural.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top