When the celebrant turned around to speak to the congregation—to say things like “Pray, brothers and sisters”—the words took on special force; one's awareness of being directly addressed and invited to participate was heightened. Precisely because the priest had turned with the people to address the Lord, his turning back toward them and speaking to them was imbued with greater significance. In other words, vive la différence. Continue Reading »
The common orientation of priest and people during the Liturgy of the Eucharist symbolizes—or perhaps better, lives out—the Church’s conviction that the Mass is an act of worship offered to the Thrice-Holy God. Continue Reading »
Cardinal Sarah’s ad orientem advocacy liberates the priest from the constant pressure to perform as the main attraction. Continue Reading »
A roundup of recent pieces of substance on the continuing controversy over Cardinal Robert Sarah's call for a return to the ad orientem posture. Continue Reading »
Why the lack of a catholic appreciation for legitimate liturgical diversity? No one can truthfully claim that the Ordinary Form prohibits ad orientem celebration. So, who’s afraid of ad orientem worship, and why? Continue Reading »
A primer and links on the recent dustup over Cardinal Robert Sarah's call for a return to ad orientem posture. Continue Reading »
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