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Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

More On “Mass Facing The People”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 27, 2013

“Where do the conciliar texts speak of communion in the hand, for example, or where do they enjoin the so-called altar facing the people, which is scant testimony to that ‘giving perfect glory to God’ which the liturgy constitution says (in para. 5) is the goal and purpose of worship? The answer is: Nowhere.” — Bishop Rudolf Graber of Regensburg (July, 1985)

374 Josemaría Escrivá St. Josemaría Escrivá celebrating Mass HE RISING POPULARITY of the internet has made it more difficult for people to misrepresent the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. At this point in time, a good number of Catholics realize that the Council never once mentioned “Mass facing the people,” and the current (2011) rubrics still assume the priest will be ad orientem. A multitude of documents treating this question can be found here.

The current rubrics tell the priest when he must turn around and face the people. This would be superfluous were he already facing them. However, the current rubrics also (sometimes) tell the priest when he must turn back around (i.e. resume facing the Altar), and this is often overlooked.

For example, look at rubric #157 of the General Instruction for the Roman Missal (2000):

157.  Oratione conclusa, sacerdos genuflectit, accipit hostiam, eamque aliquantulum elevatam super patenam vel super calicem tenens, versus ad populum, dicit: Ecce Agnus Dei …

157.  At the conclusion of this prayer, the priest genuflects and takes up the host (which he elevates slightly above the paten or chalice), and, having turned toward the people, says: “Behold the Lamb of God …. “

As soon as that’s over, the rubrics say:

158.  Postea, stans ad altare conversus, sacerdos secreto dicit: Corpus Christi …

158.  Then, having turned back around to face the altar, the priest says silently: “May the Body of Christ …”

THESE RUBRICS have been there since the very beginning. For instance, here’s what the 1969 GIRM said for that section:


The interesting thing is, contrary to what we might expect, these rubrics have been strengthened over the years. (On this, see Rev. Hunwicke’s article, here.)

By the way, don’t forget that, over the last forty years, the numbering system for the GIRM has changed, slight modifications have been made, and the Missal rubrics have been slightly altered as well. However, as I already mentioned, the rubrics which indicate the direction of the priest have been strengthened through the years.


REMINDER:  It is also lawful to celebrate Mass “facing the people” according to current Ecclesiastical law, even though this practice was never mentioned by Second Vatican Council.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Ad Orientem, Mass Facing The People Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“The spark of conversion can be struck by a single perfect liturgical gesture.”

— Cristina Campo (1966)

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