We purchased six tall flower stands to place our six tall candlesticks upon, flanking either side of the tabernacle. Only five stands have arrived, the sixth one delayed, so we put out four until we get the last stand and then all six candlesticks will be flanking the tabernacle.
We now have six short candlesticks which match the taller ones on the altar itself in the traditional order. I think it works well.
In the future we will have a more permanent solution for the taller candlesticks matching the tabernacle stand.
9 comments:
Very handsome!
Beautiful! A very nice improvement!
That is charming! And a lot of candles! The arrangement indicates that you are not exclusively ad orientem. Did the Bishop discuss this during his impromptus visit? Or am I indiscrete?
Maybe just me but, I'm not fond of those plants underneath the arch tucked in the two corners. Likewise the one on the floor. The two on those stands are more then enough. Those orphan candle holders flanking the outer openings are superfluous. Perhaps they can be stored until a major holiday then being placed around the ambo, repository, Good Friday grave etc.
The less clutter - the more focused the space will be! Just my opinion.
rcg, I think you've extrapolated by assumption that ad orientem in the chapel means ad orientem in the church. Everything I've seen shows that not to be the case, even though in a perfect world it would and in this imperfect world ad orientem and versus populum are allowed so it's doubtful that His Excellency the Bishop said a word one way or another. Maybe thou are projecting on the Bishop, too?
In our main church which is used primarily for Sunday Mass we face the congregation. I’ve had the EF Mass there a few times though.
In our chapel, we celebrate all Masses EF or OF ad orientem and our bishop is aware of this.
And yes, the bishop hasn’t said anything one way or the other. I think he is open to ad orientem at a Mass if there are multiple Masses on a Sunday but I would suspect he would see facing the people as the norm.
I assume that in due course the wooden see-through altar will be replaced by something more substantial. In the meantime I would suggest fitting an antependium in the correct colour of the day and allowing the topmost linen cloth to extend to the floor on either side. It would look better in either orientation.
John, the altar isn’t quite six years old and is the one that was consecrated at the consecration of the church and altar in February of 2016 prior to my arrival. So it is here for the long haul. I do not dislike it but would have requested something a bit better. I don’t like the fact there is so much brown wood in the church. The backdrop is the same color as the altar and ambo and makes the altar blend it to its background rather than standing out.
What i hope to accomplish is to place marble pieces of a “light beige” color into the arches of the altar thus making it more solid looking and also bringing some contrast to it with the back wall. The same marble inserts could be placed in the ambo too.
I am not a fan of antepediums unless these are truly well done (like at St. Peter’s main altar) but the altar cloth extending to the floor on the sides is something to consider.
I too do not care much for antependiums unless they are very well done and very Roman. They otherwise have what to me is that High Anglican Laudian look. Not my taste and these can tend to look irritatingly sloppy where their caretakers are not diligent.
Your suggestion, Fr., regarding the marble inserts is very solid. I've struggled to think of what I would do to enhance your interior with all that dark wood. Options are limited and painted over cabinetry just isn't attractive. I think the problem is more that box with the arch. It just looks plunked down without tying into anything - even the arched roof detail which is impossible given its proximity to the circular window. Though the quality of the cabinetry is good, it's appearance and placement are holding the potential of that space back somewhat. Bolting things to it like symbols, icons or lampadas (votive lamps) will look like afterthoughts. The age-old problems of: the people are already paying the debt on it and providing a compelling case for change are likely your principle challenges.
I like your suggestion, it's the most efficient solution to provide some contrast. Perhaps like-type arms could be fashioned to flank the tabernacle stand, with similar inserts, providing what will hopefully be an ample space for the 6 high candles and floral displays.
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