Pope wants crucifix at the centre of ALL westward-facing altars during Mass

Telegraph ^ | January 10, 2010 | Damian Thompson

[NYer]

The Pope incenses an altar that displays a crucifix

[NYer]

Let us listen to the words of his Holiness, Benedict XVI, directly, who in the preface to the first book of his Complete Works, dedicated to the liturgy, writes the following: “The idea that the priest and people should stare at one another during prayer was born only in modern Christianity, and is completely alien to the ancient Church. The priest and people most certainly do not pray one to the other, but to the one Lord. Therefore, they stare in the same direction during prayer: either towards the east as a cosmic symbol of the Lord who comes, or, where this is not possible, towards the image of Christ in the apse, towards a crucifix, or simply towards the heavens, as our Lord Himself did in his priestly prayer the night before His Passion (John 17.1)

[Salvation]

The Holy Father is right here! God bless him!

[RobRoy]

One of the proofs of the lunacy of Islam is their requirement to pray with their head facing a certain direction.

[Biggirl]

God Bless B16! He speaks truth to power. The bad news is that will there be any priests who will listen?

[Salvation]

**The bad news is that will there be any priests who will listen?**

Our priest changed the ugly “Hanging Cross” over the altar with a beautiful life-size one in wood. It is beautiful.

[AnAmericanMother]

The young priests around here just LOVE BXVI!

He is really playing chess here, with his episcopal appointments, and his pronouncements on liturgical matters, and his splendid weekly homilies.

I wish him Per Cent'anni!

[Biggirl]

Good for that priest.

[Haiku Guy]

I agree with the Pope. But this is an uphill battle in most US parishes. The priests just don’t like facing the wall.

[pyx]

Amazing.

BTTT

[cornelis]

Ever read Richard Weaver's Ideas Have Consequences? It's conservative staple.

[James C. Bennett]

Agree completely.

[netmilsmom]

>>One of the proofs of the lunacy of Islam is their requirement to pray with their head facing a certain direction.<<

I guess I’m missing how this has anything to do with the article.
Are you posting on the right thread?

[TSgt]

My little sister got married this past Saturday at a traditional Catholic church, Latin mass, etc.. My father, a Baptist minister, was not elated. I was a groomsmen and participated in the genuflecting out of respect for their tradition. For a Baptist like myself it was an interesting experience. The important part is that my sister found a wonderful guy and I approve of him regardless of his religion.

Anyone know what’s the story behind the Catholic split in terms of traditional Latin mass, head coverings, etc. vs. today’s more progressive mass? I was told the sect was actually excommunicated.

[TSgt]

With all due respect this thread was not caucused, i.e. it was open for discussion.

[jagusafr]

THANK you! Why on EARTH does it matter which direction an altar is facing? JESUS IS RISEN, He ain’t in Jerusalem!

ARGH!!

Colonel, USAFR

[al_c]

What about my parish’s southward-facing alter? ;-)

[CalvaryJohn]

Now THERE’S an essential doctrine of Christianity./sarc

[Pyro7480]

Was it with the Society of St. Pius X?

[Pyro7480]

It was never claimed to be an essential doctrine. This concerns worship. What’s your point?