[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!

[Biggirl]

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

[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

[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.

[al_c]

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

[CalvaryJohn]

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

[narses]

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[RegulatorCountry]

All my family who have passed on are buried facing east, to greet the Lord at the Second Coming. They have been for over 250 years, looking at the current, active family cemtery, the inactive older one before that, and the inactive oldest one dating to the mid-1700’s before that.

At dawn on Easter, many if not most churches in my area have adopted the tradition of the Moravian Church, and have an outdoor Sunrise Service, facing east, with the familiar “The Lord is RISEN” from the pastor at the very moment the sun peeks over the horizon, answered by the congregation “The Lord is Risen INDEED” in return. It’s really quite moving.

Other than this, I am unaware of any directional preference. Pastors engage the congregation, as they are preaching to that congregation. Facing away would quite literally be preaching to the choir.

So, I can’t pretend to understand what facing west has to do with anything. The only orientation as far as direction that I associate with Christianity is east.

[ctdonath2]

I don’t get it. Does someone actually think Christ cares where & which way a manmade statue is positioned? or which way the faithful are oriented by compass?

I’d be much more concerned that the tradition risks violating the 2nd Commandment.

[afraidfortherepublic]

And what about Milwaukee? The disgraced Archbishop Rembert Weakland spent millions $$$$ of diocesan money to remodal our Cathedral and replaced the crucifix with this piece of "art" hanging from the ceiling just before he resigned in disgrace. Yes, that is an abstract figure of Christ on a crucifix surrounded by a gigantic crown of thorns. You say you can't see the crucifix? Nobody else can either, but we're stuck with it and have no more money because of abuse lawsuits judgements that went against the archdioces after WEAKland left.