Corpus Christi Blog

Mass Ad Orientem

04-12-2020Weekly ReflectionFr. Chad King

Dear beloved parishioners of Corpus Christi, Easter blessings to you all! If you have been watching our live-streamed Masses, you will have noticed during the Holy Triduum liturgies, and now through the Easter season, that Fr. Rey and I are celebrating the Mass ad orientam, literally meaning “toward the East” or toward God, rather than toward the people. There are many reasons we have decided to do this at this time:

1. It is very awkward celebrating Mass and talking to empty pews!

2. Ad orientam is the most ancient way of celebrating Mass, something which Vatican II never disallowed, but in fact the Roman Missal (the book which the priest uses to celebrate Mass) assumes the priest is not facing the people. (There are instructions for the priest to “turn and face the people” at certain points).

3. All the Eucharistic prayers are directed to God the Father, through and with Jesus, in the Holy Spirit- the Eucharistic prayers aren’t directed to the people but to God, and so it is most appropriate the priest faces whom we (priest and people) are talking to (present in Tabernacle and symbolized by Crucifix).

4. Every focus of Mass isn’t on the people or the priest, but should be on God Himself. So, the Mass is our collective worship of God, the priest is simply is leading the people, and the people are to fully participate in our collective worship to God.

5. Facing the same direction helps us to not be distracted by each other, but to be more focused on our worship of God during the Mass.

There are more reasons, that others have articulated in a better way, which I will share at another time. I personally would like to include this way of celebrating at some Masses in the future when we are able to gather again, but when we do, I will more formally offer more preparation, explanation, and catechesis at that time in the future. I know there are some people who have experienced ad orientam Mass and who desire it because it helps them to stay focused and enter in more fully. For those who are not familiar with it, doing it now is a simple way to ease them into the idea and not be so shocked by it, but hopefully, it will also perhaps, help to establish a better understanding and appreciation of what is really happening at Mass.

Through Him, with Him, in Him,

Fr. Chad King

Pastor

BACK TO LIST