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Views from the Choir Loft

Bishop of Manchester • Letter Re: “Ad Orientem”

Jeff Ostrowski · December 5, 2016

O MY KNOWLEDGE, three American bishops have attempted to forbid “ad orientem” celebration. The first was the bishop of Little Rock, whose letter went out in July. That was followed quickly by the bishop of Davenport, Iowa, who also sent a letter. Now—by means of the CCW Facebook—I was sent this letter from the diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire:

599 ad orientem


Some have argued “expectation” is different than “command”—but that doesn’t hold up. I worked at a Cathedral for four years. When our bishop said “I expect XYZ to happen…” you better believe we made XYZ happen.

It’s difficult to understand how the bishop can require a “personal, in-depth conversation” before priests choose a legitimate option, especially in light of the CDW statement (SEE BELOW). 1

Celebration facing the people is certainly a legitimate option. The GIRM paragraphs dealing with altar construction clearly say:

{ 299. Altare maius exstruatur a pariete seiunctum, ut facile circumiri et in eo celebratio versus populum peragi possit, quod expedit ubicumque possibile sit. }
299. Where it is possible to do so, the main altar should be built separated from the wall. This allows for the possibility of Mass “facing the people” and also walking around the altar.

The CDW on 10 April 2000 (PROTOCOL NO. 564/00/L) settled the question of “ad orientem” in the 2000 (2002) Missal:

“This dicastery wishes to state that Holy Mass may be celebrated versus populum or versus apsidem. Both positions are in accord with liturgical law; both are to be considered correct. There is no preference expressed in the liturgical legislation for either position. As both positions enjoy the favor of law, the legislation may not be invoked to say that one position or the other accords more closely with the mind of the Church.”

Bishop Amos (of Davenport, Iowa) has argued that “versus populum” celebration is necessary so everyone can face the Altar:

“However, it is clear that the normative position of the priest when presiding at Mass in the Ordinary Form is facing the people, or, better, of the priest and the assembly facing the Altar together, the Altar that is a symbol of Christ in our midst and of our participation in the feast of the Kingdom.”

But don’t we all face the Altar either way?

598 ad orientem


The rector at the Cathedral where I served for four years had all the Masses “ad orientem” one Sunday, even the Spanish Mass. I asked him what the response was, and he said hardly anyone noticed! Remember that—in Ordinary Form Masses—when “ad orientem” is chosen, the priest and people face the same way only about 10% of the time. (It’s primarily during the Canon.)

The universal practice of the Church, as far back as we have documentation, has always been to have priest and people face the same direction:

593 Cardinal Sarah ad orientem


I was taught that Christ will return from the East, and the priest is leading us to Christ—but there are many other explanations.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   I wonder if the letter could (perhaps) be amended? Perhaps Bishop Libasci could simply recommend that priests switching to “ad orientem” come to him for advice and tips first.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Ad Orientem, Robert Cardinal Sarah 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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The People’s Hymnal suffers from a too literal and awkward translation. And even in the lovely Slovak “Memorare” in The Saint Gregory Hymnal we are still asked to sing “that anyone who sought thee, or made to thee his moan.” Why not “groan” or “bone” or even “phone?” The only thing necessary, it seems, is that it rhyme with “known.”

— Mons. Francis P. Schmitt (1958)

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