So, contrary to some posters herein, pastoral consideration should be taken into account?
Most certainly, but being ‘pastoral’ does not mean that the flock do the leading, rather, that the shepherd does, and the flock follows.
From New England Priest: “Historically the laity have been the driving force behind most things in the church, look up how the Papal Conclave started.”
And where would they ever get the idea that one thing is more beneficial than another, except from the flock - which I would call leading. Or as New England Priest noted, “driving force”.
As long as something is a legitimate option, its legitimate to use. However, the wisdom of using even a legitimate option is always up for debate. If the parishioners like the Latin and more traditional music then the clergy shouldn’t be forcing anything else upon them. As priests we’re called to serve the people of our parishes, and forcing our own likes upon them in the name of “its a legitimate option” isn’t service. Here is New England, unless you live “out in the sticks” there’s most likely 3 churches just as close to your house as your home parish so people are much more likely to “pew hop” to another parish.
Yes, but are the benefits mostly “on paper”? Saying that its a richer experience doesn’t make it so for other people.
Well, he is certainly right that it is an option.
There is at least one parish, if not more, in the Diocese of Arlington that does it during some Masses.
Actually, all the side altars did face “east”. They face “liturgical east,” facing the tabernacle (if when one is there)
I’ve seen it done in Europe at a Benedictine Abbey in Italy.
Father,
Well, I don’t think the priest facing the people in the Latin Mass is about him “being heard.” When he’s addressing the people, he faces the people. When he’s addressing the Father, he’s facing the altar.
Here in the northeast most of the more “70’s style” music has mostly fallen out of favor, there are exceptions of course. The under 40 generation does prefer a more solemn Mass, but around here at least, that doesn’t translate into a desire to return to many of the elements of the Tridentine Mass. Case in point, the overwhelming number of people do not like the current Mass translation. The parish I was in when the change occurred was one of the more conservative parishes in my diocese and even they didn’t like it. No one is walking out over it, but it hasn’t been well received.Also, I’m 38. I actually believe that most practicing Catholic my age or younger would actually like this change, while I know that most of the Baby Boomers might not. Most younger Catholics love the Latin, etc, and we surely don’t like the folk music from the 70s (not at Church and not on the radio).
I’m 33 and I agree that younger Catholics like some of the more traditional aspects of worship, even if they are not all clamoring for the EF. I think something simple like facing ad orientem (or Ad Dominum/Deum as it is sometimes, probably more accurately, called) for at least the Eucharistic Prayer would be beneficial. Add in Communion on the tongue only, more frequent use of the Roman Canon and a little bit of Latin/Greek chant, even if only the Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei, and I think that a lot of the more “centrist” traditionalists would be satisfied. These changes would probably not even raise an eyebrow among those who identify as progressive.Father,
May I ask you a question?
Every time I attend a mass in the Extraordinary Form, there are no microphones. Without the kids, sometimes I can’t hear the priest. However, with the Ordinary Form microphones are almost always used.
If doing the OF Mass ad orientem, there are still plenty of times where the priest turns around to face the pews, plus the microphone will allow him to be heard.
To me, turning around to face the pews was most likely had more to do being able to hear the priest than anything else.
But now, priests have personal mics, and volume isn’t an issue. With mics, why do you think it would be an issue?
Yes, I understand that some people complain about everything to the priest, but the loudest complainers usually do not represent the majority in the pews.
**Also, I’m 38. I actually believe that most practicing Catholic my age or younger would actually like this change, while I know that most of the Baby Boomers might not. Most younger Catholics love the Latin, etc, and we surely don’t like the folk music from the 70s (not at Church and not on the radio).
Thoughts?
**
God Bless and thank you for your priesthood.
This may be one of the most significant issues of Vatican II. God is both transcendent and immanent. Christ reigns in unity with the Trinity and yet we are also the body of Christ. It seemed prior to V2 the Transcendent God as Other was the main way people thought of God and it was only half of the truth. But we are also the Body of Christ. Sometimes that is so difficult to realize and accept because we are so sinful and broken. But we need to have the full truth reinforced: God is near. So near as to be within each of us.
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