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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

    “Music List” • 17th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (27 July 2025). 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 the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Communion • “Ask & You Shall Receive”
    All of the chants for 27 July 2025 have been added to the feasts website, as usual under a convenient “drop down” menu. The COMMUNION ANTIPHON (both text and melody) are exceedingly beautiful and ancient.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Jeff’s Mother Joins Our Fundraiser
    To assist our fundraiser, Mrs. Kathleen Ostrowski has drawn several beautiful sketches which she offers to all our readers free of charge. If you have a moment, I invite you download them at this link.
    —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

“I ask that future priests, from their time in the seminary, receive the preparation needed to understand and to celebrate Mass in Latin, and also to use Latin texts and execute Gregorian chant; nor should we forget that the faithful can be taught to recite the more common prayers in Latin, and also to sing parts of the liturgy to Gregorian chant.”

— Statement by the Supreme Pontiff (Sacramentum Caritatis, 22-feb-2007)

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