In the Ancient Requiem Mass, six floor candlesticks would flank the casket of the deceased. For some odd reason, the modern Mass saw floor candlesticks flank the altar as though it is a casket. How and why did this come about?
As a disclaimer, in my younger days, I promoted floor candlesticks flanking the altar and also asymmetry with candlesticks around the altar or somewhere near it or far off.
How did that happen and why? I think the idea that there should not be anything on the altar except the “accidents” that would become the Eucharist. Nothing should block or distract from the bread and wine on the altar and certainly the priest, the all important priest and his antics, either prescribed or not, should not be blocked from the sight of the audience, I mean, congregation, no, I mean, assembly.
These photos are last Easter and this Christmas. Please note the conversion that has taken place with where the candles are and that flowers no longer flank or hide the altar at Christmas compared to what was done at Easter. Please note how the altar now stands out at Christmas compared to Easter:
11 comments:
What I really like is your veiled chalice properly displayed and honorably positioned. Are there any guidelines on how the Chalice should displayed? I think it's really regrettable almost 100% of churches and priests set it off to the side prior to Mass and then the altar needs to be swept clean after Communion. You have it right as usual. I thank you for it and I hope people appreciate your humble reverence to our Lord!
Good for you!
I understand that placing candles and cross on the altar dates from the early 13th century. The 20th century liturgical reformers were of course highly eclectic in what they plundered from the past. For my part, I would not object to a return to the liturgical practice of Innocent III's reign (1198-1216). It would be more or less the Roman Rite pre-1964, not the vernacular dog's breakfast which passes for Catholic worship in most places.
John Nolan,
LOL - you do have a way with words!!!
Father McDonald,
If you are Catholic, a definite improvement!
Father, the placing of candlesticks off the Altar coincides with the theology of the Protestant table meal rather than the Sacrificial Altar of Traditional Catholicism."How you pray is what you believe "
Amont - I would be interested in where you found the idea that candles off the altar reflect a "Protestant table meal".
Fr K,
Well I would like you to finally respond as to why only about 30 percent of Catholics who bother to attend the OF believe in the Real Presence? Maybe because it looks like a Protestant Table Meal, for starters?
Candles off the altar do not reflect a 'Protestant table meal' any more than the vernacular Mass reflects a Protestant communion service.
That said ...
With the new books, my sense is there isn't so much a historical basis for candles near/around the altar as the option itself became possible. I don't personally care for the look of floor candles particularly when arranged as one would for a catafalque. Even more dumb, at least to me, is the arrangement of 4-6 candles around the sides of the altar as, from the front, it just looks like there are two, one on each side. Then, there's the practice that seems to have swept the Eastern European Roman Church of having candles on one end of the altar, perhaps a floral spray on the other. Hate that "designer altar" look passionately. The old way of 6 with varied usage for low/high/pontifical masses was uniform and easy to understand. The new way is the usual muck of everyone doing their own damn thing including fooling themselves into thinking they are accomplishing something by fasting from some of them during lent (like the people the people are just waiting breathlessly for the other two floor candles to reappear again! that'll pack 'em in / gather them in / multigrain them in....whatever!)
The candle placement is a peculiarity. Throughout seminary life and visiting many parishes in that area (90s) I saw candles everywhere. The modus operandi seemed to have been, "do anything except what was done before." e.g., two candles on one side of the altar; candles on the edge of the sanctuary with nothing near the altar; candles throughout the nave area with only two candles near the altar. It all seemed to diminish the holy action at the altar. Perhaps it was an attempt at greater signification for Christ present in four ways: Eucharist, Word, Priest, faithful. Not sure. It is interesting that the more avante garde the parish the less likely to find candles held by acolytes flanking the ambo for the reading of the Gospel. I have managed to secure six candles for the altar during all previous pastorates.
I did hear that when Pope Benedict XVI visited DC that there was a very long pause to begin the liturgy at Nationals Stadium. Rumor was, he was waiting for six candlesticks for the altar. If it isn't true, it should be.
You guys need to get a life - good grief - did Jesus have candles on or beside his altar ... hmmm...I wonder...
You must worship a dead hero, the Church, though, the risen Lord and His real presence. And at my Sunday Masses He had 6 candles on the altar. He likes it that way today!
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