Will altar rails be put back?

[paramedicgirl]

The FSSP Mass I go to just purchased some portable kneelers to place on the altar steps for those who have difficulty kneeling and getting back up again - along with a strong admonition for everyone to now kneel for Holy Communion.

 

[demerzel85]

The FSSP Mass I go to just purchased some portable kneelers to place on the altar steps for those who have difficulty kneeling and getting back up again - along with a strong admonition for everyone to now kneel for Holy Communion.

The only problem with portable kneelers is that sometimes they fall over with a loud thud when someone gets off while pushing the hand rest.

 

[CatQuilt]

There is of course much more involved than just altar rails since kneelers could probably be provided where necessary to fulfill that need. There may be some rule though that does in fact require the rails to separate off the sanctuary area. I’m not sure about that one.

There is the matter of the altar itself. Would each church being asked to provide a TLM have to install a second altar? Or somehow move them around after each Mass? Realistically, most churches build since Vatican II are not set up for the logistics of the TLM, either in altars or altar rails.

Many of the churches where Indult masses are currently offered also offer NO masses. It’s not tremendously difficult if you want it to happen.

How many churches have been built since Vatican II?! In New England, we’re closing churches, not building new ones.

 

[ncjohn]

Many of the churches where Indult masses are currently offered also offer NO masses. It’s not tremendously difficult if you want it to happen.

How many churches have been built since Vatican II?! In New England, we’re closing churches, not building new ones.

Where I am in the Bible Belt, most of the churches are post Vatican II churches. Some are from parishes that might be 50 years old, but the church was built later when the Catholic population expanded.

Outside of Charlotte itself, finding a church that ever had an altar or communion rail that could now be used would be very difficult. And most of them are not set up in a way where that could be accomodated unless they have a chapel that has a movable altar and movable seating.

I’m sure the logistics in some places like the northeast might be quite easy. In other places though that just isn’t going to be the case.

 

[Windmill]

No Vatican documents (including the documents of the Council) mandated removal of altar rails. Oftentimes, it was done to encourage “active participation” of the laity…how the rails impeded participation is beyond me. It’s not like these things blocked your view.

However, the 2000 GIRM makes a clear delineation between nave and sanctuary (nave=the pews, sanctuary=altar area), so no one can claim that “drawing lines”, either with steps or with a rail, goes against the mind of the Church.

 

[ncjohn]

No Vatican documents (including the documents of the Council) mandated removal of altar rails. Oftentimes, it was done to encourage “active participation” of the laity…how the rails impeded participation is beyond me. It’s not like these things blocked your view.

However, the 2000 GIRM makes a clear delineation between nave and sanctuary (nave=the pews, sanctuary=altar area), so no one can claim that “drawing lines”, either with steps or with a rail, goes against the mind of the Church.

It wasn’t Vatican II that mandated that, but there was a document later on (I believe in the early 70’s), which I’d have to find again, that stated that new churches were not to have altar rails.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

In a church in my diocese, which is a newer church, they use about 6 one person kneelers and call that an altar rail. They use them for all the NO masses.

I have seen this in a parish in our area where they took out the altar rails, only they use twice as many. It is effective.

I don’t see why people are getting in such a worry over the how. The bishops and priests will each work out the how. They have about 8 weeks to work out the how.

In this country, the Mass, in Latin, facing ad orientum, was offered in mission churches and in log cabins. When the Great Immigration periods occured, Masses was celebrated in rented halls and even store fronts, to accomodate the Catholics coming off the boats. I hear tell it was at one time offered for showgirls and gaminmg workers in a hotel in Vegas, early in the morning. In Ireland and the UK, there was a time when Mass was a clandestine activity. And they all managed to figure it out.

Speculation at this point seems to be wasted.:twocents:

 

[katy]

What he said.

 

[freudmacher]

It has been my understanding that altars are to be permanently situated. Is this perhaps an abuse?

That’s the truth. But most likely the TLM alter is permanently placed, which should show us how hard it is to have abuse in the TLM Mass and how easy it is to have abuses in the NO Mass.

 

[Sure]

As far as altars are concerned, I would think nearly every church could accomodate an extraordinary Mass. There is usually always enough room for the priest to stand on the opposite side of the altar…add some candles and a small tabernacle and, bam, you have an altar perfect for the extraordinary Mass.

A related question…if communion standing and in the hand is allowed by indult in the US does this apply to Masses in the extraordinary form as well? Why couldn’t communion be distributed without a rail?

 

[Ad_Deum]

I hope they put it back…
because progressive/liberal priests might/will say that altar rails are separating the people from God… that was the answer from a local priest for my research paper!!!

I think sins separate us from the love of God and the Lord Jesus Christ not altar rails!!!

 

[Zooey]

I have been thinking a lot about this question. (That is always a bad sign!) It is hard for those of us past a certain age to knee for communion and then get up without the help of the altar rail, but I am sure that it would be difficult to convince many pastors to install them. I thing that someone should sell a removable altar rail made in the same way as some fences that I have seen for swimming pools. The rail could be made in sections with metal dowel coming out of the ends of each section. The dowels would fit into holes fitted with tubes which would be flush with the floor. The altar rail could be used for the 1962 Mass, and then removed for other Masses if space was need for the folk group! What do you folks think?!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Methodist just has to chime in here: This is how we Methodists do Holy Communion (at least, in the churches in this area). We have a removeable altar rail and there are removeable cushions on the steps used as kneelers.
If we can do it, I’m:thumbsup: sure that you all will be able to work it out…