How to Popularize ‘Ad Orientem’ Without Disorienting People

I have written many times on the orientation of the priest for the Eucharistic Prayer. I strongly prefer an eastward (ad orientem) posture, in which the priest and God’s people all face in the same direction toward the Lord as the Eucharistic Prayer is prayed. Rather than restate all the reasons for my preference here, I direct you to what I have previously written (here , here , and here).

While I would like to see the eastward orientation restored, I am aware that many, even among doctrinally strong Catholics, are uneasy about the move. Further, many bishops remain unconvinced of its merits and see the push from individual priests as hostile to liturgical unity in their diocese. That a priest is permitted by the norms to say Mass ad orientem is beyond dispute, but bishops must often field complaints and do have an interest in ensuring that liturgical practice in their diocese not become divided by numerous idiosyncrasies.

continue at NCReg

Bishop Callahan releases letter in support of Ad Orientem worship to all priest of Diocese of La Crosse

I've been waiting to post the letter as I thought maybe the diocese would post it in their monthly magazine.  I think it's completely reasonable and very encouraging.  Moving East is the most important development in the Ordinary Form to return a sense of the supernatural and sacred back into the Mass.  And as His Excellency notes, if some of the (likely older) parishioners for some reason are opposed even after being educated on the matter, the advocates (likely younger) could be given the option to celebrate specific Mass times ad orientem.  I would suspect if the Saturday vigil Masses stayed versus populum the Sunday Masses would make the most sense for ad orientem.  With so many young people desiring to return to this reverent and ancient form worship, it is very encouraging to see the Diocese and Bishop Callahan supporting these efforts.  

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8 March 2017

My Dear Brothers in Christ,

May the Lord give you peace.

One of the most iconic moments in American musical theater is offered by Zero Mostel in “Fiddler on the Roof.” His character, Tevye the milkman, sings “If I Were a Rich Man,” and it is a showstopper. Tevye sings, “If I were rich I’d have the time that I like to sit in the synagogue and pray; and maybe have a seat on the Eastern wall…” The Eastern wall, even in secular theater is recognized as a special—even sacred place. So, my message to you today concerns itself with sacred things, “ad orientem.”

Asking that the grace of this blessed season of Lent be with you all, I particularly pray with you and for you during the celebration of the Mass, the source and summit of our faith. This treasure has been entrusted to the Church to be guarded and celebrated. It is not ours as priests to control and define the Mass, but to celebrate it as it has been handed down to us. I am grateful for you, brother priests of our Diocese who with great care and reverence celebrate this great Sacrament for the People of God.

The worthy and proper celebration of the Holy Mass has legitimate options; one that has become more prominent in the last year is the posture of Ad Orientem. This was begun by a statement of Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, who encouraged the practice beginning in Advent of 2016. This has led a number of our brothers to start using this option. In some places, with proper consultation and education, it has been a blessing and has even helped to draw a parish together. In other places, where the same care to have proper consultation and education was not observed, it has become an issue of divisiveness. 

Because of the new prominence of this practice the topic has been discussed with the College of Deans in addition to the Presbyteral Council. During both discussions, I have shown my support for this practice as well as a deep concern that it be implemented appropriately and after proper consultation with the leadership of a parish, after truly hearing and respecting the People of God and after good education of what is being expressed in the change of posture. 

Between the two meetings of priestly leadership, I somehow managed to confuse the ideas of permissions, approvals, etc. I write this letter to clarify the procedures I desire to be in place when considering the implementation of the posture of Ad Orientem as a regular practice in a parish. 

1. It is my desire to be informed before any such practice is undertaken so I might ensure through the Office of Sacred Worship that Holy Mass is celebrated in a consistent manner throughout the entire Diocese, with proper consultation and support of the People of God and after an appropriate period of education and discussion.
2. It is my hope that where consensus of the People of God is split over this practice and multiple Masses are offered on any given weekend that both approved postures would be offered. 

I hope we will all enjoy a seat “by the Eastern wall” in our churches and that we will understand the significance of such a thought. In the meantime, know that I pray with you and our dear Priestly and Holy People. Have a blessed Lent and never tire of celebrating the Eucharist anticipating the coming of the Lord.

Dear brothers, you are close to my heart and always in my prayers.

Fraternally,

+William

Your Bishop

Bishop of Rockford IL overrides Summorum Pontificum, forbids "ad orientem"

Following that talk, I write now to ask for your cooperation on several matters that have since been referred to me in connection with my comments last September:

First, as I noted at that time, we are all aware of the on-going discussion surrounding the celebration of the Mass “ad orientem“. However, for the reasons I discussed at that time, and in order to underscore our unity in prayer and to avoid differences between and even within parishes on this point, I ask that no Masses be celebrated “ad orientem” without my permission.

It seems to me that the bishop is, in this regard making a request, but he confuses the request by adding the word “permission”. This letter has no juridical form or force. It doesn’t make diocesan law.

Frankly, I don’t think a bishop can forbid celebration ad orientem. Priests can follow the rubrics of the Roman Missal. I don’t think that they can be forbidden from following the rubrics. Should they be prudent about how they implement it? Sure! However, it’s hardly a sign of confidence in the priests to forbid them to exercise a legitimate pastoral decision.

continue at Father Z

also at Rorate

Whether this is an ideological battle he is undertaking or this is a reaction to something in his diocese I do not know.  If there is more to the story I'd be willing to post it.  On the surface Bp. Malloy certainly looks misinformed at best and regardless of what caused it has clearly overstepped his authority on the matter of the Extraordinary Form by the letter of the law.  However, I am suspicious if a priest had opted to change an existing Ordinary Form Mass slot to a EF Mass or the same with ad orientem.  Cranky parishioners write angry letters while happy parishioners do not write happy letters to their bishop.  I would hope it's at least the bishop trying to smooth things over with wealthy donors and he's not just out there head hunting.  I'm not justifying it, but I think the question is important.

By the way, he's one of ours....  Msgr. Malloy, Milwaukee native and Lake Geneva priest, named Rockford Illinois bishop

Cardinal Burke heeds Cardinal Sarah's call, says Ordinary Form Mass ad orientem at Guadalupe Shrine

This is from the 1 pm Ordinary Form Mass.

It sounds like the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe was ad orientem as well.

Update:

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12, 2016. Cardinal Burke announced Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe will now be ad orientem. "Towards the Lord"

Update 2:
Confirmed, the Friars will now offer all Masses exclusively ad orientem going forward.  

People Look East

CatholicMemes

Bp Morlino goes ad orientem: "I say this a few other places I'll have to take both my hats off and duck."

via Father Z

I transcribed parts of the audio, from a homily delivered at the Madison Cathedral parish.  I love his candor.  My emphasis

[Bishop Morlino] I'm planning for us, in accord with the mind of God.  My schedule has been and continues to be very busy.  I won't be here much between now and October and even after that somewhat.  But, please God, in October I will start to offer this Mass here at St Patrick's on Sunday morning when I am here ad orientem.  Ad orientem.

Now of course this congregation is unlike practically any other in the diocese because when I say that  A) you know what I mean  B) and this is the unbelievable part, you smile and you nod your head at me.  I say this a few other places I'll have to take both my hats off and duck.  But, Cardinal Sarah and Cardinal Burke for years, and Pope Benedict XVI have made the point over and over again that according to God's mind that His plan is that at the end of history He will come from the East like the rising sun, as we see in the Magnificat, as we see in the psalms, as we see in the scriptures.  God's plan is at the end of history He will come from the East from the rising sun.  And when the priest stands together with the congregation, not with his back toward them , that's not the point.the point is that the priest stands together with the congregation and he faces symbolically at least the East.  We become a mighty army marching toward the place of the rising sun to meet the Lord lead by the priest.  That's who we really are.
[...]

Now no general has ever lead his troops by facing them and walking backward.    And if he's built like me, it would be particularity not pretty when he trips.  What general would lead his troops that way?

It's what was intended really by the Second Vatican council in its documents.  [point out the well known directions in the rubrics noted in the missal]

I'm not going to force any other priest to do anything.  I don't want them angry saying Mass.  That darn bishop.  They shouldn't be thinking that during Mass if I can help it.

Related (this is no fad)

People Look East! Bishop Conley and His Cathedral Move Ad Orientem for Advent and Christmas

Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska has just issued a pastoral column in the diocesan newspaper, The Southern Nebraska Register, explaining the basics of celebrating the Mass ad orientem. His column also reveals a plan for the priests of the cathedral during Advent, and then he himself at midnight Mass on Christmas, to celebrate the Masses ad orientem.

Certainly this is an excellent example of the bishop of a diocese properly claiming his role as the “governor, promoter, and guardian of liturgical life in his diocese.”

continue at New Liturgical Movement

also good commentary at One Peter Five

To quote Ron Swanson; Please and thank you!

Not to be a negative ninny, but alot of people don't realize the cathedral in Lincoln looks like this:

I kind of like the windows. Not sure why the sanctuary is so drastically different.

The fruits of Ad Orientem worship

The good bishop. 

Yep, this.  From Father Rick 

This is a letter I just sent to a priest friend. I wrote it because I don’t believe we priests should be frightened anymore. I agree with a recent post that said, while we take our time, souls are being lost. We all know, in our bones, that God wants this … let’s simply obey and allow God to bless our obedience!!!

Dear Father,

I wanted to write to update you on the amazing things God is doing here …

A year is up and the results are in.

It’s been a little over one year since we removed the freestanding altar and committed to ad orientem worship for all of our Masses. Without a doubt, it was a leap of faith, as I simply trusted God would provide.

The initial response from some of the old guard was a bit nerve-racking. In fact, a handful of them decided to no longer attend here, as they dispersed to local parishes.

Beyond that, I don’t even know if I can begin to share all of the fruits of this move.

First, the spiritual benefits are palpable. Our parish has a sense that we are truly worshiping, and it simply feels so right. This is visibly seen in such things as the altar boys who are more reverent and precise. People are coming early to pray the rosary, and many are staying afterwards to offer prayers of thanksgiving. Everyone is offering the “proper” gestures (bowing, etc.) at the appropriate times. Virtually everyone began, mostly in just the past year, really dressing up for Mass. It seems every Sunday another woman has decided to veil – AT A NOVUS ORDO! And, we just had over 300 people go through the 33 Days of Preparation for Consecration to Jesus Through Mary!!!

Our choir has doubled in size over the past year, and they are chanting and singing polyphony so beautifully that I am thinking they should make a CD. Even our men’s schola went from 7 members to nearly 20 in just this past year. And, these men have become quite a “band of brothers” as they also gather once a month in my man cave for what we call, “Pipes and Pints” … Virtually all of them enjoy a nice pipe and brew as we discuss church related issues and try to solve all of the problems of the world. Virtually all of these men are young professionals.

I haven’t looked at any statistics, but it seems that, over just this one year, the average age of our parishioners went from 65 to 35, as so many young families are discovering us and joining the parish. It is so wonderful to hear the squeaks and squawks of little ones throughout the Mass!!! My secretary commented that it seems a new young family appears here every week.

Last year, our finance council was recommending that we begin a special giving campaign, as we were feeling the effects of the economic downturn of the past five years. I asked them to give it one more year, as we see the effects of ad orientem worship. They reluctantly agreed. A year later, we just had a finance council meeting and – get this! – Contributions are up 45% IN ONE YEAR!!!

I can’t say this is what will happen in every parish that decides to take the risk and move in this direction, but I wanted to be, at least, one more story of a parish that put their trust in God, and witnessed how God blessed this move to offer greater reverence in the Mass, especially by celebrating ad orientem.

Ad majorem Dei gloriam!!

BTW: Free Exorcised Holy Water and Blessed Salt!

I've pretty seriously considered moving to the area.  I keep holding out hope that a parish in this diocese would take up the Benedictine banner.  And I still haven't gotten to that post with the numbers of parishes...

The top two epidemics in Catholicism today.
1. Contraception.
2. Versus populum worship (which is in a certain sense contracepted worship).