I presume the altar and its reredos are new and not harvested from a closed church or shrine but commissioned as such for this shrine.
The problem with harvested old altars and reredos brought into new churches is that the altar part of the reredos which is attached is used as the throne for the tabernacle, but, technically could be used for the Mass ad orientem.
But most churches that are built for the Modern Roman Missal will also have a free standing altar. Thus, against what the norms should be in building a new church for the Modern Roman Missal, there are two altars back to back. That is not good in my book or according to the norms for building a new church.
Thus, in this new shrine and the commissioned altar and reredos and the ones for the statues, there is no mensa or “table” where Mass can also be celebrated. Behind the magnificent new free-standing altar is the reredos simply for the reservation of the tabernacle and thus the Most Holy Eucharist.
Fortunately, the new free standing altar makes if possible to celebrate either the TLM or the MRM ad orientem and easily so.
The other point I would like to make is the dressing of the altar after its consecration and anointing. It is the Benedictine arrangement for facing the nave and quite stunning.
4 comments:
The reredos and altar furniture have a very "Guatemalan" feel to them in honor, of course, of Blessed Stanley's work and death there.
The colonial Spanish architecture, the rich, strong colorful paint, and the restrained rococo carvings are attractive.
I watched a bit of the liturgy with Archbishop Paul Coakley - he was two years ahead of me in seminary. I also saw in attendance my classmate, Bishop Jim Conley, of the Diocese of Lincoln.
Pleased they used the Roman Canon
Sophia Here: Yes, thank you so much Father. This is magnificent! I learned about his life and martyrdom from EWTN a few years ago. Blessed Stanley Rother, please pray for us, the church militant.
I'm not sucking up but, Fr. MJK's assessment is to me, spot on.
I liked his grace Bishop Paul for no other reason than his comportment greatly added to the dignity of the dedication. I had no prior knowledge of him prior to this event.
I have one very small criticism of this new shrine - the side shrines. They have a put-there look as opposed to having been placed. From a distance, they are framed by the arches behind them that serve as access points to what I'm assuming is the sacristy. By no means does it look bad, I'm just puzzled as to how/why they are where they are given the likelihood that someone was highly compensated to design the shrine's interior.
That aside, it is a stunning structure and interior. The quality of workmanship is clearly evident as is that of the fixtures. Really well done and very cohesive.
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