Some say that it impedes the view of the priest at the altar and also of the elements prior to and after consecration. The clearing of the "clutter" on the altar was to show forth what really are important, the priest and the elements. But when the priest faces ad orientem, that is facing in the same direction as the congregation, you get the "full body" view of the priest's back side, but he impedes the viewing of what is on the altar to be consecrated. So, which do you prefer, if Mass is to be celebrated facing the people? The Benedictine arrangement or the clutter free arrangement with candles to the side or behind of the priest? Keep in mind that the Holy Father has not mandated the return to this style of decorating the altar but neither is it forbidden. His MC says the Holy Father in all his Masses models what should be done, but has not legislated his unique traditional touches, such as kneeling for Holy Communion, etc.
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Pope Benedict behind bars?
In many Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church and the corresponding Orthodox Churches, the altar is behind a screen of icons called an iconostasis. This screen has doors that when closed, totally hide the altar from the congregation. The door is opened for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, but the priest faces the same direction as the congregation, ad orientem.
In the video below which takes a bit of time to come up, the new Archbishop of Miami, Archbishop Wenski, celebrates a Spanish Mass in a somewhat modern church but with the altar in the Benedictine arrangement. What do you think?
SPANISH MASS, BENEDICTINE ALTAR ARRANGEMENT, ARCHBISHOP WENSKI OF MIAMI
6 comments:
With respect Father, if the reason given for "un-cluttering" the altar was to give an unobstructed view of what is to be consecrated some one has been sold a bill of goods. The Laity can not see what is on the altar to be consecrated with or without candles and a crucifix there. And oh by the way, I don't know why it would be necessary to see it in the first place. Can the blind not assist at Mass because they can not see? Is the Laity's assistance enhanced by their ability to see? (one actually argue the opposite in my opinion).
In point of fact it's not relevant that we can or can't see what is to be consecrated. Not wanting to go off on a tangent, but it's not even necessary that we hear the consecration contrary to what the disobedient committee that created the NO Mass might have thought. What is relevant, and what can be seen from anywhere in the Church by all but the blind, is whether or not he altar is suitable to the purpose of the sacrifice, or if it's a table to prepare a communal meal on. When it's properly arranged it is clear that it is to honor God and the sacrifice to be made thereon. When it's striped bare it's unworthy of Christ the King.
And although you didn't specifically ask, the same goes for ad Orientem worship. Facing the congregation is diminishes the sacrifice by distracting from it. The Priest should lead his flock and elevate and adore Christ as one of us, when you face the people you sow confusion in the laity who don't know to look at Christ or you, because society teaches them it's polite to look at someone when they are addressing you, and what are they supposed to think you are doing when you are facing them and speaking to them.
Note: insert obligatory comment about the necessity to provide kneelers are Mass for those faithful wishing to receive communion in the normative fashion and not in the indult fashion. ;-)
In my parish, we use the Ordinary Form in the vernacular, mainly. The priest introduced the "Benedictine Arrangement" with the versus populum position. Although better than the usual denuded altar in Vat2 style, it was only a half-hearted substitute for the gold standard - ad orientem celebration.
After lots of catechesis, we now have the Ordinary Form of Mass celebrated in the vernacular with the "Benedictine Arrangement" ad orientem. It's so much better - on every level.
People can tell so much more clearly when the priest is addressing God on our behalf and when, in persona Christi, God addresses us.
My priest friends tell me that they prefer celebrating ad orientem as it's much less distracting for the celebrant. Not feeling as though you have to entertain the people is such a relief - for both priest and people.
One of my non-catholic friends noted that ad orientem celebration is much more "serious" religion: the truth of the priest re-presenting the sacrifice of Calvary is immediately apparant and brings us to our knees in adoration. I'm all for it!
Going forward without any mandates will give license to the many who will oppose this as a mere "taste" of this Pontificate. We could see it disappear soon thereafter. Really without any legislating it justs leaves people confused, kinda like a NO option, You can do it or not. Restoration goes hand in hand with some form of legislating. Enough confusion and options already, the laity are tired. As for seeing what goes on at the Altar, I would say 8 times out of 10 I can not even see above the head of the person in front of me in the pews...So this is really only possible for people in the first row or pews or so. Plus the Altar elevated while people are sitting obscures as well. We need to know what is up there and how it is used. It does NOT have to be in our visual perception in every single minute during Mass. I have never understood this. Once I learned what the Priest was doing and what was used I no longer ever felt the need to "see" everything. The point is to feel the Mass, to know what is happening, and love the gestures and rubrics, for they all have deep meaning. And meditate on that. With this need to see everything approach are we heading to a stadium atmosphere where the people are raised up and around the Altar so they can look down and see everything from every angle? Like in a Hot air ballon hovering over the Altar? Come on already.
I tend to agree with Anonymous here. I wish the Pope would institute some of these things officially.
When Benedict is gone another pope will impose his idea of the ideal altar. Definitely keep the altar
vested, behind a curtain to be opened only during Mass, and put
the blessed sacrament in the priest's house, or the sacristy.
I'm tired of hearing petulant prelates bowing and scraping to every papal whim and jumping through hoops to please the reigning pope. The local bishop is the one who should set liturgical rules and not Rome.
Of course if the local bishop sets the rules, then you could have anything, like only the EF Mass!
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