Here’s a suggestion and question about the liturgy. I was celebrating Mass on Sunday away from St Mary’s and so I did not celebrate ad orientem.
I did, however, go around to the front of the altar, and facing the people, administered the Kiss of Peace. After sharing the Kiss of Peace with the altar servers, I turned East, (facing the altar) for the Agnus Dei, fraction, priest’s prayers before communion, and then turned with the chalice and host back to face the people for the “Behold the Lamb of God.”
It seems to me that this is a dignified and sensible way that those who wish to move toward the East might do so in a simple way which begins to introduce people to this posture. It also has the advantage of setting off the Kiss of Peace. I came around the front of the altar markingi this part of the liturgy as my address to the people, and by turning my back to them and going to the altar facing East for the Agnus Dei etc. there was a clear indication that the Kiss of Peace was over. (This is a good way to conclude a Kiss of Peace that has turned into a happy time to greet one’s friends)
That’s the suggestion. The question is, “Is there any reason why this should not be done more widely?”
Did you turn away from the altar when facing east?
No. I was standing in front of the altar, so when facing East I was facing the altar. I have clarified this in a re-written post.
Sounds very sensible, Father. I do know I’d love to see the strange disruptive party-time “kiss of peace” handled somehow.There are a number of ways to add ad orientum, Latin, and other elements to Novus Ordo–but I would hope not to see Mass celebrated everywhere in a *variety* of ways. We have that problem now. “Local option” to my mind is the worst problem of all.
Fr. L,I think that this is a very sensible way to face “East”.However, out of curiosity, can you make such adaptations to the Mass?May St. Cure d’Ars pray for us.
Not directly relevant to the “ad orientem”/”versus populum” issue, but regarding the potential disruption of exchanging the peace:“Passing the peace: it ain’t half-time, folks”
Hey, why not? When I go to the theatre, I always make sure to buy an obstructed view seat.Re the sign of peace. Why not drop it entirely?
“Re the sign of peace. Why not drop it entirely?”Actually, I believe that having the people give each other a sign of peace is optional.Let me check. Um, yeah. After the people answer, “And also with you,” the rubrics say, “Then the deacon (or the priest) may add: ‘Let us offer each other the sign of peace.'”At our parish they’ve opted out of having the members of the congregation offer a sign of peace to each other.