The post Vatican II problem is the tabernacle’s placement and the design of this church truly emphasizes this problem. When faux altars facing the congregation were installed after Vatican II, the altar was placed at the foot of the old altar. If the tabernacle stayed on the old altar it eclipsed the new lower altar and was thus given undue focus.
When the altar and tabernacle were one unit, both were prominent without competing.
In the EF Mass, the large altar card placed in front of the tabernacle along with the veiling of the tabernacle acted as a sort of blocking off of the tabernacle during Mass, so the focus was on the altar itself and the sacred actions of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass not adoration of the reserved Hosts.
This Church copies the mistakes of the free standing altar. It should be on the same level as the tabernacle. If the free standing altar was removed, steps placed around the “platform” and a true altar railing on an extended first step, it would be greatly enhanced and less confused looking and creating not a stage for a performance. The fence acts as a fence, not an altar railing. It not only keeps the actors from falling off the stage, but truly tells the laity that there is a fencing them off from the platform.
3 comments:
This was made possible by Bugnini and his heretical liturgical movement way back in 1955 when, for the first time ever, the priest in the sanctuary could pray to God with his back towards the tabernacle on Palm Sunday for the collect prayer:
http://www.fathercekada.com/2009/04/05/holy-week-palm-sunday-old-vs-1955-rite/.
The EF Mass to this day is otherwise very careful not to let this happen, so obvious when the Misereatur of the second Confiteor is said at the altar.
In a way, I feel bad continuing to criticize this church given the amount of thought, planning and money that likely went into its construction, furnishings and adornments. It's neocon styling probably was the result of those in that parish desiring something closer to what they experienced elsewhere or, earlier in life. Even Fr. AJM's St. Anne Church is neocon with a traditional looking exterior, a bland but traditional interior layout and a traditional looking altar despite it's proportions (at least to me) not being quite right. I suppose, however, that St. Anne is more "correct" as the tabernacle, by its placement, isn't superior to the altar. Anyhow, am I going to criticize these folks for the 3 steps up to the tabernacle? No. Given the unchecked global abuses regarding the liturgy and its rubrics, why single these folks out? By all appearances, they are at least trying to re-enchant their liturgies. If someday, the church comes to its senses and returns to ad orientem worship, perhaps the altar can become the high altar atop that predella with the tabernacle crowning it.
For comparison, here's a variation on this theme. I this space to be truly puzzling.
https://www.google.com/search?q=catholic+church,+new+church+dedication&rlz=1C2PRFE_enUS786US786&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiSiIjXlbfhAhXNc98KHbLPCI8Q_AUIDigB&biw=1748&bih=855#imgrc=Lt1Bf0pGLi4KyM:
Or, this space, that is more "correct" but, doesn't fill me with a sense of awe and wonder. I really, really dislike these minimalistic eucharistic towers.
https://catholiccourier.com/articles/dedication-of-new-st-pius-x-church-offers-example-for-young-people
Or, this newly dedicated space that is just not my taste or, that of most who read/post here I imagine:
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C2PRFE_enUS786US786&biw=1748&bih=855&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=slqmXNHSFqOxggeK9IiQCA&q=2018+catholic+church%2C+new+church+dedication&oq=2018+catholic+church%2C+new+church+dedication&gs_l=img.3...178988.180927..181607...1.0..1.184.494.5j1......1....1..gws-wiz-img.MDGZNA1BU_U#imgrc=rFl5etvLbyhgwM:
Finally, though not my parish, what a Byzantine altar looks like. So simple, beautiful and unified and, mercifully, never something that anyone questions.
https://www.google.com/search?q=byzantine+catholic+altar&rlz=1C2PRFE_enUS786US786&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiVkPj4mrfhAhUhVd8KHZtUCk8Q_AUIDigB&biw=1748&bih=855#imgrc=vGORS7fHozg41M:
Here's the puzzling new church that is similar conceptually to the featured church. The link didn't copy/paste well. Let's try again:
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/39511095/st-paul-dedication-bookletindd-st-paul-the-apostle-catholic-church
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