Our thanks to a reader for sending us these pictures and description of an OF Mass celebrated ad orientem, with evident care for beauty, solemnity and good music. Once again, we should all find it very encouraging to see these young people, the celebrant, ministers and servers, rediscovering and embracing our traditional Catholic manner of worship!
For Divine Mercy Sunday, St Ann’s parish in Boston Massachusetts hosted a special afternoon celebration with the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, who reside next door. (
http://www.sisterfaustina.org) A Holy Hour with Solemn Benediction was followed by an English OF Mass, offered
ad orientem. The Mass was served by two transitional deacons, along with seminarians from St John’s Seminary, and a special schola chanting the propers; the music included Peter Latona’s
Mass of the Immaculate Conception, the English Roman Missal Credo I, the Gregorian introit, sequence, and communion, the Offertory chant from Simple English Propers, and the Regina Caeli.
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| Adoration |
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| Benediction |
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| Incensation during the Introit at Mass |
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| The Collect |
The program booklet featured a brief explanation of ad orientem, which might be of interest to readers:
Upon entering St. Ann’s Church, one is immediately struck by the beauty of the immense high altar rising over the tabernacle, which stands at the focal point of the entire church. This striking visual reminds us that the mysteries which take place here are nothing less than the source and summit of our Christian lives. To highlight the solemnity of this special occasion, today’s Mass will be celebrated on the high altar in the traditional posture known as
ad orientem, or facing “towards the East.” While this position is commonly associated with the traditional Latin Mass, it has always been and remains a legitimate option for the modern rite of Mass as well.
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| The Gospel Procession |
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| Preparation of the Altar |
At first glance, the
ad orientem posture may seem to isolate the priest and his actions on the altar from the congregation. However, it can actually accomplish just the opposite. By having the priest and faithful pray together in the same direction, it makes abundantly clear that the priest is no mere performer on a stage; rather, he is speaking to God on behalf of the faithful. This unified orientation toward Christ, who is the rising sun in the east, expresses both our faith in the resurrection and our anticipation of the risen Christ returning again in glory. So may our worship of God’s abundant mercy today bring us one step closer to the coming of His Kingdom!
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| Presentation of the gifts. |
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| Preface |
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| Elevation |
