Comments on: Under the great baldacchino http://www.cornellsociety.org/2005/11/under-the-great-baldacchino/ Unity in charity, diversity in truth Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:10:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Anonymous http://www.cornellsociety.org/2005/11/under-the-great-baldacchino/#comment-542 Anonymous Fri, 02 Dec 2005 01:53:00 +0000 http://www.cornellsociety.org/2005/11/under-the-great-baldacchino/#comment-542 Just a question -- what do you do when in a modern Church because of the property it is constructed on it is faced North or South? Just a question — what do you do when in a modern Church because of the property it is constructed on it is faced North or South?

]]> By: Zadok the Roman http://www.cornellsociety.org/2005/11/under-the-great-baldacchino/#comment-543 Zadok the Roman Wed, 30 Nov 2005 23:03:00 +0000 http://www.cornellsociety.org/2005/11/under-the-great-baldacchino/#comment-543 There's also the basilica of <A HREF="http://www.williamgaddis.org/recognitions/sanclemente.shtml" REL="nofollow">San Clemente in Rome</A> which has had a 'versus populum' high altar since time immemorial. The layout of the church makes it impossible for the people to assemble 'behind' the priest.<BR/>I remember talking to old priests who informed me that when they first celebrated at San Clemente they had difficulty figuring out the 'gospel side' and the 'epistle side'. There’s also the basilica of San Clemente in Rome which has had a ‘versus populum’ high altar since time immemorial. The layout of the church makes it impossible for the people to assemble ‘behind’ the priest.
I remember talking to old priests who informed me that when they first celebrated at San Clemente they had difficulty figuring out the ‘gospel side’ and the ‘epistle side’.

]]> By: Iosephus http://www.cornellsociety.org/2005/11/under-the-great-baldacchino/#comment-544 Iosephus Tue, 29 Nov 2005 20:40:00 +0000 http://www.cornellsociety.org/2005/11/under-the-great-baldacchino/#comment-544 Cool, thanks for the info, Ian. Yeah, it would be great to see that picture of Pius X. Cool, thanks for the info, Ian. Yeah, it would be great to see that picture of Pius X.

]]> By: Ian Andrew Palko http://www.cornellsociety.org/2005/11/under-the-great-baldacchino/#comment-545 Ian Andrew Palko Tue, 29 Nov 2005 20:31:00 +0000 http://www.cornellsociety.org/2005/11/under-the-great-baldacchino/#comment-545 As I recall it is only in St. Peter's that the Pope celebrades <I>ad versus populum</I> because the Church is built facing west, and it has always been the tradition that the Mass is said facing East, if at all possible. So in this case, <I>ad versus populum</I> is <I>ad Orientum</I> which is the tradition.<BR/><BR/>In St. Peters, the faithful would fill the nave to the east of the Pontifical Altar and also the transept to the north and south, with the choir and clergy west of the altar and the Pope's Throne at the very West end of the basilica.<BR/><BR/>I have a picture of Pope St. Pius X celebrating in another basilica where he faces <I>ad Orientum</I> but away from the people. Perhaps I'll post it when I can get it scanned in.<BR/><BR/>Ideally Churches were built to face east, so the priests faced toward the East where tradition hold Christ will return from. In this way he is leading the faithful toward Christ. So like a general leading his army in battle, he faces away from us leading us toward our Redeemer.<BR/><BR/>In St. Peter's only the Pope or Cardinals authorized by the Pope could celebrate Mass at the Pontifical Altar. As I recall it is only in St. Peter’s that the Pope celebrades ad versus populum because the Church is built facing west, and it has always been the tradition that the Mass is said facing East, if at all possible. So in this case, ad versus populum is ad Orientum which is the tradition.

In St. Peters, the faithful would fill the nave to the east of the Pontifical Altar and also the transept to the north and south, with the choir and clergy west of the altar and the Pope’s Throne at the very West end of the basilica.

I have a picture of Pope St. Pius X celebrating in another basilica where he faces ad Orientum but away from the people. Perhaps I’ll post it when I can get it scanned in.

Ideally Churches were built to face east, so the priests faced toward the East where tradition hold Christ will return from. In this way he is leading the faithful toward Christ. So like a general leading his army in battle, he faces away from us leading us toward our Redeemer.

In St. Peter’s only the Pope or Cardinals authorized by the Pope could celebrate Mass at the Pontifical Altar.

]]> By: VeterumSapientia3 http://www.cornellsociety.org/2005/11/under-the-great-baldacchino/#comment-546 VeterumSapientia3 Tue, 29 Nov 2005 01:50:00 +0000 http://www.cornellsociety.org/2005/11/under-the-great-baldacchino/#comment-546 Great picture illustrating the importance of facing the crucifix and Ratzinger's point. This was a great find. Great picture illustrating the importance of facing the crucifix and Ratzinger’s point. This was a great find.

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