To be honest with you, the more modern look isn’t that bad and since I am a “anxious Annie” when it comes to spending money, or asking money for projects, I would have simply done a simple renovation with an added altar railing
But the renovation is very nicely done. EXCEPT: I don’t like the bar that runs through the vertical look of the back wall where the altar is, with the Latin words inscribed. To me it is jarring and too heavy for this space. But that is all I can say that is wrong. EXCEPT: The original crucifix should have been retained and the image of the Madonna and Child place elswhere. Not sure why the image of the Madonna and Child was placed above the altar and crucifix as the church’s name is Holy Innocents. I do like the Lamb of God stained glass window, just not the bar with the Latin words. But no one asked me!
I do like the airiness of the new altar railing. It is present but not intrusive. It is placed only one step up from the nave of the church making it very easy to use and to allow either standing or kneeling at the full length of the railing.
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11 comments:
It's better to see in person, I don't think the pictures do it justice. I've gone to Mass there several times, but have not been in years. One of the few good places in the Archdiocese of Liturgical Abuse (LA)
I am slightly embarrassed to say that I liked the horizontal architectural feature and thought the script added continuity to the space. I have covered my head.
It isn't perfect (what is, this side of Heaven?), but it is very beautiful. And I did a triple- or quadruple-take because it looked like there was no table altar. I thought, "that can't be right--it's not like it's an FSSP parish," but it turns out Holy Innocents celebrates all Masses ad orientem, so the table altar would simply be superfluous. How amazing is that! It seems like a very active parish, too, based on their website. What a blessing.
Nick
The problem is the placement of the pilasters. Either lose them or have them running from the floor on either side of the alcove opening up to the frieze (bar). This is amateurish looking.
While I like the attached altar, I think it would have been more prudent to make sure that the altar have room behind it for Mass facing the people. The reason I say this is that another bishop might forbid ad orientem Masses or require that at least one Sunday Mass be facing the people. In that case, a portable altar will be brought out or another altar, more permanent will be placed in front of the altar shown and then we have that two altars, back to back, syndrome!
Is there a rule about wheels on an altar such that they could be deployed when it’s time to move the altar? Then the altar nouveau could be over the side in a respectful place until it’s time for an versus populum Mass?
rcg - "298. It is desirable that in every church there be a fixed altar, since this more clearly and permanently signifies Christ Jesus, the Living Stone (1 Pt 2:4; cf. Eph 2:20). In other places set aside for sacred celebrations, the altar may be movable.
An altar is said to be fixed if it is so constructed as to be attached to the floor and not removable; it is said to be movable if it can be displaced."
Thank you FrMJK, Yes, I recall that. But there is one fixed altar and we have all seen ‘portable’ altars. So if the purpose is to provide flexible worship space it seems a movable altar would be the right thing.
The article from Liturgical Arts Journal makes it seem that the sanctuary was renovated within the last year or so, but it was actually done back in 2013. In fact, Father, you have mentioned it previously: https://southernorderspage.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-law-of-prayer-is-law-of-belief-and.html
Gustavo, you have a better memory than me! Odd that Liturgical Arts would re-post without saying it was a rerun!
Hopefully, this link works, the parish campus and church photos: https://www.google.com/search?q=holy+innocents+catholic+church+long+beach+california&source=lmns&bih=913&biw=1484&rlz=1C2CHBF_enUS855US855&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwirn4Kxkf6DAxWRJmIAHebzCxsQ0pQJKAB6BAgBEAI#lpg=cid:CgIgAQ%3D%3D,ik:CAoSLEFGMVFpcE53VDZYRG45MEcwUkYxNzBtZDk1RDQ5d1RCV3JyTkZsR3NTTUVI
I think I understand the horizontal break relative to the ceiling and support beams. Up close, one wonders why. From a distance, I think they were trying to tie the sanctuary into the rest of the structure. It's not my favorite, but I think I understand. The verticals likely are trying to create more of a reredos structure, give the back altar more of a presence. The imagery above the tabernacle doesn't make any sense relative to the church's patron. Overall, it's nice. I too like the airiness of the altar rail. The ambo styling isn't my favorite. Just a personal preference. They should have gone with the upgrade. Last, it's a pleasure to not see the chair as the focal point that its become in so many places.
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