Recently, we published a blog giving 4 Reasons to Celebrate Mass Ad Orientem, based on one of our weekly Fr. Gregory Pine episodes.
Both the video and blog got a lot of feedback, including some objections to the reasons given for celebrating Mass ad orientem.
Here are some of those objections along with responses to each.
1. “Jesus and the Apostles faced each other at the Last Supper.”
That’s true. But what we’re aiming for in Mass is an adherence to Christ’s institution and not a strict literal reenactment of every aspect of the Last Supper.
Jesus spoke Aramaic. Does that mean we should worship in that language? Most Masses during the first few centuries were celebrated in Greek, but few who argue against ad orientem also advocate for a return to that language. And if we’re going to get that literal, should we dress as first-century Jews when we attend Mass?
Remember, Mass makes not only the Last Supper present but also the Passion. On Calvary, everyone was turned in the same direction: to our Lord hanging on the Cross.
While Catholic worship is fueled by traditions dating back thousands of years, we don’t have to mirror all of them, especially things that haven’t been part of the organic development of the Church’s liturgy through the centuries.
2. “When the priest faces us, he better reflects the humanity of Christ.”
That’s a fair argument. Many advocates of Mass facing the people (versus populum) feel that the priest feels more distant when facing the same direction as them.
On the other hand, the Mass is a sacred act and so naturally represents a certain distance between us and God. Mass ad orientem reminds us that we are on this earth to scale the heights of holiness to reach our heavenly homeland. Mass shouldn’t feel too familiar, for it is not of this earth.
Also, when the priest faces the people there’s a risk of his personality becoming a focal point. Some priests have great personalities, others don’t. When they turn their backs to us, more distractions are removed and we can focus on Jesus.
3. “Isn’t the Resurrection also part of the Paschal Mystery?”
Yes. All the deeds of Christ’s life save us. But some of us wonder why there’s such a focus on the Crucifix (and thus the Passion) when Mass is celebrated ad orientem.
We believe that the Mass meditates the Passion in a particular way. It is, after all, the representation of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
This doesn’t mean the Resurrection is absent, nor that Mass celebrated ad orientem only looks backward in time. Remember that, ideally, an ad orientem Mass orients the priest and people to the East, from which Christ will return at the end of the world.
4. “Isn’t the Mass also supposed to be a banquet?”
Yes, it is. However, this attitude can be carried so far that the sacred nature of the Mass is deemphasized. Sadly, we see this happening in many parishes throughout the world. For example, if it’s merely a banquet, why not invite the laity to come into the sanctuary and gather around the altar? This abuse happens in some churches.
We must remember that the Mass is first and foremost a sacrifice.
To be clear, none of this is meant to say that Mass facing the people is bad. It’s a question of fittingness: Which orientation of the Mass represents the sacred actions taking place and calls forth the best responses in us?
It still seems like ad orientem is the overall winner here.