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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

    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st 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. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 21st Sunday Ordin. Time
    You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) which is coming up on 24 August 2025. Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. It’s set in a melancholy mode, but if you heard my choir’s female voices singing it your soul would be uplifted beyond belief. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I tried to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    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

Random Quote

“Much more serious was the problem, what to do about ‘thou’ and ‘you.’ I confess I would have liked to go the whole hog, and dispense with the use of ‘thou’ and ‘thee’, even where the Almighty was being addressed. They do these things in France, but I felt sure you could not get it past the British public. Why not, then, have ‘thou’ for God and ‘you’ for man? That is Moffatt’s principle; but it seems to me to break down hopelessly in relation to our Incarnate Lord…”

— Monsignor Ronald A. Knox

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