There are not clear, specific rubrics about how candles should be placed on altars in the Novus Ordo. Compare that to the 1962 Roman Missal which is very specific about the basics and the position of the candles.
We went from magnificent candlesticks, works of art really, to two “rinky-dink” candles placed on the free-standing altar, or the older altar candles placed on the floor around the altar in a variety of ways.
Usually, the tall candlesticks of pre-Vatican II times are placed and either side of the altar hemming it in, as though the altar is a coffin.
But this takes the cake for “do as you please” depending on who is responsible for the “atmosphere” of the altar and placement of candles, flowers and other things. Yes, someone thinks hiding the altar with flowers and now candlesticks is a good idea. Who comes up with these ideas and why? Well the why is that there are no specific is about the placement of the candles in the modern missal and thus you get this:
Even with this extreme use of candles, the altar is framed and highlighted but not hidden with candles directly in front of its facade:
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The anthem of the modern-day Catholic Church is Cole Porter's Anything Goes
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