Tag Archives: altar

Brick by Brick… Altar by Altar

My friend Fr. Richard Heilman, pastor of St. Mary’s in Pine Bluff, WI, in the Diocese of Madison – where there reigneth Bp. Morlino – has made the move to the East. After a process of catechesis, St. Mary’s has … Read More

Posted in "But Father! But Father!", "How To..." - Practical Notes, Benedict XVI, Brick by Brick, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, Year of Faith | Tagged , , , , ,
36 Comments

QUAERITUR: Bare altars (no cloths)

From a reader: Some churches in my diocese have recently begun the practice of having no altar cloth. I.e., only when Mass is said is there a small cloth unfolded on the altar beneath the paten and chalice — otherwise … Read More

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7 Comments

Brick by brick in Madison: an Altar-ation!

Brick by brick in Madison, WI, one of the wackiest liberal locales in the US of A. The great Bishop of Madison, Most Rev. Robert Morlino, about whom I have written quite a few times (his tag), has made a … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Just Too Cool, New Evangelization, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , , ,
28 Comments

QUAERITUR: Bowing to the altar instead of genuflecting during Mass. Fr. Z rants.

From a reader: Our new and much more traditional pastor joined us a few years ago, and within the first year he had the tabernacle moved behind the altar. (Which made me and many others very happy)I have observed the … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , ,
37 Comments

QUAERITUR: The number of altar steps and validity of Mass.

From a reader: A few years ago some modifications were made at our church including raising the floor level of the sanctuary. As a consequence the three steps that used to lead up to the high altar are now just … Read More

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19 Comments

WDTPRS POLL: What direction do you prefer for the altar?

We have had a few entries lately about the position of the altar.  Let’s have a quick poll. Please pick the best answer and share your reasons in the combox, below. I believe non-registered reader may be able to vote.

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34 Comments

Papal visit to Scotland: rumors about defiance of “Benedictine arrangment”

Damian Thompson posted this over at his place. My emphases and comments. The Pope’s Mass in Glasgow: are Benedict XVI’s liturgical wishes being ignored? Pope Benedict XVI likes to celebrate Mass on an altar bearing six candles, or seven if … Read More

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , ,
35 Comments

QUAERITUR: Where did Mass “facing the people” come from?

We should network our brain power for this.  Father’s tired. From a reader: I once wrote (by invitation) an article for a diocesan newspaper in which I mentioned, inter alia, that Vatican II never called for the priest to face … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Classic Posts, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , , ,
101 Comments

QUAERITUR: when to turn to the people when saying Mass “ad orientem”

From a priest reader: I have been working towards implementing some liturgical changes here, to include ad orientem since my sanctuary allows for adjusting the altar’s location to accommodate it.  What I am looking for is some rubrical aid.  At … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Mail from priests, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , , ,
28 Comments

A CALL TO PRIESTS who implemented ad orientem worship

Here is a call to priests who have implemented ad orientem worship in their parishes. The renowned liturgical scholar Fr. Klaus Gamber – who influenced also the liturgical theology of Joseph Ratzinger – thought that perhaps more than any other … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Mail from priests, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , , ,
9 Comments