Should Mass be offered Ad Orientem?

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It could have been. There is no “rule” that says where the Tabernacle should be, so it was completely up to the Bishop at the time how the Church would be built.
 
CilladeRoma said:
It could have been. There is no “rule” that says where the Tabernacle should be, so it was completely up to the Bishop at the time how the Church would be built.
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Here is what my 1935 ceremonial says about the altar where the tabernacle is to be located. Translated from the French:
The regular place for the tabernacle is at the high altar which is the most noble and honorable altar, unless an other altar appears preferable for the veneration and worship due to this august sacrament.

However, in cathedral, collegial or conventual churches, where choral functions need to take place, it is opportune to keep the Blessed Sacrament at an altar other than the high altar. The altar of the Blessed Sacrament must be more carefully decorated than the other altars in the church in order to facilitate the piety and devotion of the faithful.
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So while the high altar is the preferred location in most cases, in others a separate altar is either recommended or appropriate.
 
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Thanks for that.
I note that this is still not a “hard & fast rule” but a “preference”.

I only say this because sometimes, some people like to elevate things they like to a place that the Church does not call for.

I know you get that, Ora, I just need to say it.
 
Priests have the option to do either, so it isn’t really a case of should or should not. Most of the Masses I have been to are celebrated with the priest facing the people but I have also met priests who celebrate ad orientem. Doesn’t bother me.

I do like the symbolism behind ad orientem and I wish it wasn’t so often misunderstood as “the priest turning his back on the people”. We are all facing the same direction; the priest leading us on our journey to God.
 
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CilladeRoma said:
I know you get that, Ora, I just need to say it.
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And just to be complete, the current GIRM says this:
Consequently, it is preferable that the tabernacle be located, according to the judgment of the diocesan Bishop,

Either in the sanctuary, apart from the altar of celebration, in a form and place more appropriate, not excluding on an old altar no longer used for celebration (cf. no. 303);

Or even in some chapel suitable for the faithful’s private adoration and prayer[129] and organically connected to the church and readily visible to the Christian faithful.
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Which isn’t really a huge change but makes allowances for stand-alone altars, which the GIRM allows also, specifically to facilitate celebration facing the people.

Roma locuta est, causa finita est!
 
This,
The biggest problem is scandal created by the ad nauseum debates of issues which are not worth of debate.

That and this:
Please search the boards before posting these questions. Everyone thinks they have a controversial new issue every time these things come up.
SEARCH THE FORUMS!

Maybe the forum could make a stickie for these questions, cause there are simple answers.
 
goout said:
That and this:
Please search the boards before posting these questions. Everyone thinks they have a controversial new issue every time these things come up.
SEARCH THE FORUMS!
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When I suggested that on a thread, I was told by another poster that I was trying to keep new people from posting or control what they post. :roll_eyes:
 
semper_catholicus said:
Yes, I am aware of those things. But, the priest in the Latin Mass, before he turns around, kisses the altar almost to “apologize” for turning around, and he off-centers himself a little bit so as not to turn his back directly to God.
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Methinks now you’re just making things up (imagine nodding emoji here)
 
St least I always face the altar :roll_eyes: I do even turn for the sign of peace!
 
“To separate tabernacle from altar is to separate two things which by their origin and nature should remain united.” - Pius XII
 
Those who use the Last Supper as evidence for novel/progressive practices should also remember that the 12 were also ordained priests at the Last Supper.
 
KMG said:
“To separate tabernacle from altar is to separate two things which by their origin and nature should remain united.” - Pius XII
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I was looking for this quote earlier!
 
Assuredly it is a wise and most laudable thing to return in spirit and affection to the sources of the sacred liturgy. For research in this field of study, by tracing it back to its origins, contributes valuable assistance towards a more thorough and careful investigation of the significance of feast-days, and of the meaning of the texts and sacred ceremonies employed on their occasion. But it is neither wise nor laudable to reduce everything to antiquity by every possible device. Thus, to cite some instances, one would be straying from the straight path were he to wish the altar restored to its primitive tableform; were he to want black excluded as a color for the liturgical vestments; were he to forbid the use of sacred images and statues in Churches; were he to order the crucifix so designed that the divine Redeemer’s body shows no trace of His cruel sufferings; and lastly were he to disdain and reject polyphonic music or singing in parts, even where it conforms to regulations issued by the Holy See."

— Pius XII, Mediator Dei, 62
 
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