With the modern Mass, everything hinges on the tastes or fickleness or both of the clergy, even the popes, when it comes to how the altar should be dressed.
After the minimalism of the first post-Vatican II popes, Pope Benedict XVI brought back the traditional arrangement for his papal Masses at St. Peter’s and elsewhere with the central crucifix even when facing the nave:
And now Pope Leo or his papal MC are completely fickle about the papal altar arrangement. There’s been a variety since Leo’s election. But it appears that His Holiness preference is for bigger candlesticks and a return of the Episcopal Candle and the crucifix to the side rather than central—what a pity! But overall it isn’t horrible just not as nice as Pope Benedict’s arrangement:
Let’s get back to the rubrics in the 1962 Roman Missal and spare the Church all this post-Vatican II fickleness about this, that and the other!
4 comments:
OH MY GAWD!!!!! HOW CAN WE HOPE TO SEE GOD IN THE FACE IF THEY KEEP CHANGING THE CANDLE ARRANGEMENT???
I can see there might need to be tweaks to accommodate the logistical / practical needs of particular occasions or wanting to differentiate seasons (eg using less ostentatious silver for Lent) or more solemnity on feasts (eg using relics / statues) but agree some continuity would be nice.
On the other hand, like most cathedrals of old, I’m sure the Vatican has lots of treasures including multiple crucifix / candle sets and vestments / altar frontals / communion plate that they like to show off occasionally.
I apart from his first mass in the Sistine chapel, Leo has only used Paul VI’s ferula(s). Benedict’s gold cross ferula appears to have been put back in the store cupboard.
I prefer the centrally placed smaller crucifix with big six candles placed more to the side to prevent the arrangement looking like a barrier. If a seventh episcopal candle is used I’d like to see a smaller votive type candle placed in front of the crucifix on the celebrant’s side.
I always liked the Anglican practice of placing a cross on the altar but as they rarely held communion services until recent decades it was never problematic.
I wish you’d stop referring to such issues as clericalism. Often your definition of terms such as sonority is imprecise or hyperbole!
Your voting record should preclude you from that!
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