The Case For the "Facing the East" of the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite

It was very certain before the Novus Ordo Missae or what we call the Ordinary Form, that there was a clear distinction of the Tridentine Mass that the Mass maybe celebrated in versus populum, or facing the people. 

But first let me tell you that I am no liturgist: rather, a person just interested in the proper regulation of the liturgy because when the Mass is reverent and sublime, it really offers that great deal of leading us to God instead to the priest or to your fellow parishioner. 

Talking about the Novus Ordo Missae, I would like to give the rubrics from the General Instruction no. 299: 

The altar should be built separate from the wall, in such a way that it is possible to walk around it easily and that Mass can be celebrated at it facing the people, which is desirable wherever possible. 

See the "can be celebrated" and "desirable wherever possible"? AND, taking note, whenever I read the rubrics in the Mass itself, I see the six rubrics that definitely raises the true notion that the Council really intended to say the New Order of the Mass in ad orientem, as much as possible. Here are the six rubrics inscribed in the General Instruction as well as on the New Order of the Mass: 

• When giving the opening greeting (GIRM 124);
• When giving the invitation to pray, "Orate, fratres" (GIRM 146);
• When giving the greeting of peace, "Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum" (GIRM 154);
• When displaying the consecrated Host (or Host and Chalice) before Communion and saying: "Ecce Agnus Dei" (GIRM 157);
• When inviting to pray ("Oremus") before the postcommunion prayer (GIRM 165);
• When giving the final blessing (Ordo Missae 141).

1. When giving the opening greeting: 
GIRM no. 124: "Once all this has been done, the Priest goes to the chair. When the Entrance Chant is concluded, with everybody standing, the Priest and faithful sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross. The Priest says: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The people reply, Amen. Then, facing the people and extending his hands, the Priest greets the people, using one of the formulas indicated. The Priest himself or some other minister may also very briefly introduce the faithful to the Mass of the day."

Rubric no. 1(c): "When the Entrance Chant is concluded, the Priest and the faithful, standing, sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross, while the Priest, facing the people, says..."

2. When giving the invitation to pray, "Orate, fratres" or "Pray, brethren"
GIRM no. 146: "Returning to the middle of the altar, and standing facing the people, the Priest extends and then joins his hands, and calls upon the people to pray, saying, Orate, fratres (Pray, brethren). The people rise and make the response May the Lord accept the sacrifice, etc. Then the Priest, with hands extended, says the Prayer over the Offerings. At the end the people acclaim, Amen."

Rubric no. 29. "Standing at the middle of the altar, facing the people, extending and then joining his hands, he says..."

3. When giving the greeting of peace
GIRM no. 154. "Then the Priest, with hands extended, says aloud the prayer Domine Iesu Christe, qui dixisti (Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles) and when it is concluded, extending and then joining his hands, he announces the greeting of peace, facing the people and saying, The peace of the Lord be with you always. The people reply, And with your spirit. After this, if appropriate, the Priest adds, Let us offer each other the sign of peace."

Rubric no. 127: "The Priest, turned towards the people, extending and then joining his hands, adds..."

4. Invitation to Communion
GIRM no. 157: "When the prayer is concluded, the Priest genuflects, takes a host consecrated at the same Mass, and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice, facing the people, says, Ecce Agnus Dei (Behold the Lamb of God) and together with the people he adds, Lord, I am not worthy."

Rubric no. 132: "The Priest genuflects, takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice, while facing the people, says aloud..."

5. When Giving the Final Blessing and Dismissal
GIRM no. 167(a): "Then the Priest, extending his hands, greets the people, saying, The Lord be with you. They reply, And with your spirit. The Priest, joining his hands again and then immediately placing his left hand on his breast, raises his right hand and adds, May almighty God bless you and, as he makes the Sign of the Cross over the people, he continues, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All reply, Amen."

Rubric no. 141: "Then the dismissal takes place. The Priest, facing the people and extending his hands, says..."

Rubric no. 144: "Then the Deacon, or the Priest himself, with hands joined and facing the people, says..."



Then, therefore, I am no more than convinced of the rubrics instilled in the current Mass, of there is an utmost possibility (and not only a possibility BUT A MUST HAVE) of celebrating the Mass away from the people and direct to God. The reform of the reform is finding its way ultimately here, I would say. In these times, we need to renew our minds about the Mass and its Liturgy and all shall follow. Without realization of the Mass and the Liturgy, we would not expect greater fruits, because it is the "source and summit of Christian life" in which Christ is present and we are dependent on it. 

Synod 2015: PRAY!

Pray for our beloved Pope and bishops, that they may always cling to faithfully to Christ.

Here is a Collect from the Roman Missal, 3rd Typical Edition:
(For a Council or Synod)

O Lord, ruler and guardian of your Church,
pour out, we pray, upon your servants
a spirit of truth, understanding and peace,
that they may strive with all their heart
to know what is pleasing to you
and then pursue it with all their strength.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Or:
O God, who care for your peoples with gentleness
and rule them in love,
endow with a spirit of wisdom
those to whom you have handed on authority to govern,
that your people may be led to know the truth more fully
and to grow in holiness according to your will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. 

And from the 1962 Missale Romanum:
(For All the Orders in the Church)

Latin: Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, 
cuius Spiritu tatum corpus Ecclesiae sanctificatu et regitur: 
exaudi nos pro universis ordinibus supplicantes; 
ut, gratiae tuae munere, ab omnibus tibi gradibus fideliter serviatur. 
Per Dominum... in unitate eiusdem.

Literal Rendering:
Almighty ever-living God,
whose Spirit sanctifies and guides the whole body of the Church:
hear our supplications for all the ordained;
so that by the gift of your grace,
they may serve you  faithfully in each of their position.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you 
in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, 

one God, forever and ever.




MOST IMPORTANTLY: PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY!

Traditional Latin Mass: Philippine Edition

Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite celebrated by Most Rev. Jose Palma on March 26. 2012

What a beautiful image after Pope Benedict issued Summorum Pontificum. Hoping that this may be celebrated state-wide. I see both forms of the Mass are equal, being of that the Ordinary Form borrows heavily from the Extraordinary Form.

(Photo from the official blog of the Society of Saint Joseph Ecclesia Dei - Philippines, via Rorate Caeli Blog)

August 22: Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

August 22
Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Memorial

Extraordinary Form: Solemnity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

LITURGICAL NOTES: After the blessed feast of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, Ven. Paul VI revised the Calendar and put instead after the Assumption, the Queenship of Mary.

"And all generations will call me blessed..." That's why we Catholics have great respect to the Blessed Virgin Mary: She is part of the saving work of God, bringing forth the Son of God by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit; She remained Virgin forever and a symbol of purity and humility and obedience; and because God exalted her, she made her queen of heaven. For the angel tells her that her Son will be King over the house of Jacob forever. As described in the Psalms, "The queen  stands by your side, arrayed in gold..."

O Queen of Heaven, pray for us to God.

August 21: Saint Pius X

In Memory of the Holy Saints of God:

Pope Saint Pius X

Giuseppe Sarto was born at Riese (Italy) in 1835 and died at Rome on 20 August 1914. After being bishop of Mantua and patriarch of Venice, he was elected pope in 1903. In pursuit of his motto, “to renew all things in Christ,” he initiated reforms of the liturgy and of canon law and took stern measures against “modernist” trends in theology. His efforts to avert world war were frustrated. He is remembered for his poverty and for his promotion of liturgical participation, especially of frequent communion, to which he admitted young children. - ICEL Roman Missal 1998

The Church commemorates this blessed Vicar of Christ every August 21st. Let's look on the prayers from the Extraordinary Form and the Ordinary Form and reflect on these prayers in union with the liturgical readings suggested for this memorial.

Ordinary Form, Roman Missal 2010:

O God, who to safeguard the Catholic faith
and to restore all things in Christ,
filled Pope Saint Pius the Tenth
with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fortitude,
graciously grant
that, following his teaching and example,
we may gain an eternal prize.

Through our Lord Jesus ChristExtraordinary Form, Roman Missal 1965 is as same as the Ordinary Form, with being his memorial celebrated every September 3.

"Behold a great priest, who in his days pleased God; therefore, in accordance with his promise, the Lord gave him growth for the good of his people." (Entrance Antiphon). This was a great priest, a high priest of Jesus, his vicar on earth, successor of Peter. He was raised to the altars because of his love for the Holy Mass and for the safeguarding of the Church's unaltered doctrine and took measures about it. We thank God for filling him "with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fortitude," asking Him "that, following his teaching and example, we may gain an eternal prize." (Collect) Promoting the Faith everywhere, through the Gospel and the Eucharist and living it in our daily lives fulfills also our role as laity of the prophetic function.

As the blessed Pius the Tenth opened for younger children communion and recommended frequent communion, we are called to that, "we may celebrate these divine mysteries with sincere reverence and receive them in a spirit of faith." (Prayer Over the Offerings). Let us draw near to the Sacrament with such spirit of faith and reverence, kneeling before the King of kings. Celebrating the Holy Mass with love and constant devotion. And by the frequent receiving of Christ's Most Holy Body and Blood, "we may be made constant in the faith and be of one accord in your love." (Prayer After Communion)

The liturgical readings suggested for this day I would like to focus is on the Gospel of John, "Do you love me? Feed my lambs.": Jesus to Peter. We may also "feed" others with the Word of God, sharing with them the Eucharist, pointing out to the Lamb who is calling us, "Follow me."

20th Sunday In Ordinary Time: "I am the living Bread"

In the First Reading (Prv 9:1-6), we heard "Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed! Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding." We are called to understand the mystery of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ and to people "who have prepared for those who love you good things which no eye can see" (Collect) as by "loving you in all things and above all things, we may attain your promises, which surpass every human desire." (Collect).

The Psalm Response invites us to "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord." (Ps. 34). "Taste and see" may seem figuratively but reflecting on the Gospel, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven", etc., we are called by Christ to eat his flesh and drink his blood because He himself affirms (as the Jews quarreled among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat"), "For my flesh is true food, and my blood, true drink." This affirmation from the Gospel of John about the Eucharist is done by Jesus. He didn't said "Hey, this is a symbol of my body" or he just stopped on the question of the Jews.

In our participation of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, let us offer to God our sacrifices, "by which is brought about a glorious exchange, that, by offering what you have given, we may merit to receive your very self." (Prayer over the Offerings) so that, "Made partakers of Christ through these Sacraments," we may ask the Lord "that, conformed to his image on earth, we may merit also to be his coheirs in heaven." (Prayer after Communion). Singing "With the Lord there is mercy; in him is plentiful redemption." (Communion Antiphon, Ps. 130:7) which the blessed Paul the Apostle says to thank the Lord in our hearts in the name of Jesus to God our Father (Cf. Second Reading, Eph. 5:15-20).

Introduction

Welcome to my blog! I'll hope that you may ponder new things on reflections about the Faith, the Church and her Liturgy. This is dedicated to the glory of the Triune God, to the blessed Mary ever-Virgin and to St. John Paul II of happy memory. God bless you all!