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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Three False Ideas about “Ad Orientem” Celebration

Andrew Leung · July 14, 2016

CTL False Ideas about Ad Orientem HIS PAST WEEK, I saw many discussions on the internet about Cardinal Sarah’s address at the Sacra Liturgia conference in London. Today I saw some people celebrating and rejoicing over the clarification by the Vatican. Jeff has already shared his reflection on the Vatican statement and I totally agree with him. The Cardinal Prefect of the CDW never forces anyone to celebrate the Mass “ad orientem”—he was simply making a suggestion and encouragement as a scholar, just like when Cardinal Ratzinger encouraged us in his book, The Spirit of the Liturgy. The clarification was made because of the “hardness of hearts” of some people and others who are misinterpreting the cardinal’s speech.

In Cardinal Sarah’s lecture, he stressed the importance of liturgical catechesis before implementing “ad orientem” worship. In my discussions with others, I realized that a lot of people dislike the idea of “ad orientem” because of three misconceptions or false ideas. These misconceptions can be solved through correct catechesis.

CTL False Ideas about Ad Orientem 2 (I) “I have to see everything” – A lot of people don’t like Masses celebrated “ad orientem” because they can’t see what is going on on the altar. I would ask them, “what are you hoping to see?” Mass is not a show! If the priests follow the rubrics, every Mass should be the same. What really happens at a Mass is internal and cannot be seen. The bread and wine turn into the Body and Blood of our Lord substantially while their external appearances remain the same. The Mass should be an act of faith, not an act of sight.

(II) “The priest celebrates the entire Mass “ad orientem” – Many Catholics have heard a lot about the “facing east” idea; both good things and bad things. But how many have actually experienced an Ordinary Form Mass celebrated “ad orientem?” In the Novus Ordo, the priest begins the Introductory Rite at the presider’s chair, which faces the people in most cases. The Liturgy of the Word takes place at the ambo facing the people. The part celebrated “ad orientem” is the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the sacrifice. It is the unbloody sacrifice of Christ to God the Father, and that is why the priest, being the alter Christus, turns his face towards God when he offers the sacrifice. After the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the priest returns to the presider’s chair for the Concluding Rite.

CTL False Ideas about Ad Orientem 3 (III) “Turning his back to people is a sign of rejection” – As I explained above, the priest celebrates Mass “ad orientem” so that he can face towards God. The “ad orientem” celebration is about facing God, not turning the back to the faithful. Turning the back to people is not always a sign of rejection, it is also a sign of leadership. I am pretty sure that Moses led God’s people out of Egypt facing the “Promised Land.” If Moses was facing the Israelites the entire time, they would have never gotten out of Egypt. I am sure that King David’s back was to his soldiers when he led them into battles. In the case of a Mass, the priest is our leader and he leads us to God. And besides, the priest is instructed by the rubrics to turn towards the people when he addresses them in the Liturgy of the Eucharist (at Oratre fratres; Pax Domini sit semper; and Ecce Agnus Dei).

HILE THE CURRENT EDITION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL assumes that Masses are to be celebrated “ad orientem,” it is also permitted to celebrate “facing the people”. So, both ways are allowed. To my brothers and sisters who still think that worshiping “ad orientem” is wrong and can’t accept this way of celebration of the Mass, please take a moment to think about how many saints have celebrated or attended Masses “facing east.” They have proven that this orientation cannot be wrong and I pray through their intercessions that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass can continue to unify the people of God.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Ad Orientem, Robert Cardinal Sarah, Sacra Liturgia Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 27th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 5 October 2025, which is the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. Readers will want to check out the ENTRANCE CHANT posted there, which has a haunting melody (in the DEUTERUS MODE) and extremely powerful text.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“I am now old but I was young when I was received into the Church. I was not at all attracted by the splendour of her great ceremonies—which the Protestants could well counterfeit. Of the extraneous attractions of the Church which most drew me was the spectacle of the priest and his server at Low Mass, stumping up to the altar without a glance to discover how many or how few he had in his congregation; a craftsman and his apprentice; a man with a job which he alone was qualified to do.”

— Evelyn Waugh (7 August 1964)

Recent Posts

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  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
  • “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)

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