tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post7132527721978353367..comments2024-03-25T06:39:42.081-04:00Comments on Bonfire of the Vanities: Mass ad orientem: a non-issue in my parishFr Martin Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-973806085148508992017-09-11T16:48:41.444-04:002017-09-11T16:48:41.444-04:00Father Fox,
Precisely (and I totally agree with t...Father Fox,<br /><br />Precisely (and I totally agree with the placement of your bench). The beauty of the EF is that the priest's individual persona is not front and center as it can be with the OF. I think the only legitimate place for the priest's personality is the homily. <br /><br />Your congregation is luck to have you and your predecessor. <br /><br />TJMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-86144169481033833582017-09-08T10:53:43.391-04:002017-09-08T10:53:43.391-04:00TJM:
Thanks. There's something else at work i...TJM:<br /><br />Thanks. There's something else at work in my parish, I think. It has to do with the approach of my predecessor to the celebration of the liturgy, which I have attempted to maintain. Both he and I try to keep the priest's personality from being the main thing. We follow the rubrics, we celebrate the liturgy in a steady, sober fashion, minimizing variations, even when they are allowed. For example, we always use the Confiteor, and we very nearly always use the Roman Canon. I can't recall the last time I had a baptism during Mass; never here, except for the Easter Vigil of course. The effect is to lower the profile of the priest.<br /><br />In addition, the priest's chair (actually a bench) does not face the people. Rather, he is at a 90 degree angle to the nave, and faces the altar. And, when I offer the collects from the chair, and when I lead the Creed, I turn toward the high altar. <br /><br />In my judgment, all these things collectively have had a good effect: it's not about Father Fox or whoever is offering the Mass. Fr Martin Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-40606601240820689752017-09-08T09:57:37.638-04:002017-09-08T09:57:37.638-04:00I agree with TJM. While the laity should not be co...I agree with TJM. While the laity should not be consulted for liturgical changes, they should be educated on the Liturgy and the valid options available to us. I think that was missing when changes done in the name of Vatican II were made. You are a good, and *effective* pastor. rcghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09131930849106490711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-62038437526170702142017-09-06T10:01:38.392-04:002017-09-06T10:01:38.392-04:00Congratulations, Father! By preparing your congreg...Congratulations, Father! By preparing your congregation in advance, it likely mitigated the risk of receiving complaints. For those who are opposed to ad orientem celebration (strange) they had the option of going elsewhere. TJMnoreply@blogger.com