Saturday, March 29, 2008

Ad Orientem

Are traditional priests really facing "the wall"?

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Close your worldly senses and open your eyes of Faith!

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Consider this: When a general leads his troops into battle does he face them? When a representative of the people approaches the Ruler on their behalf does he face them? When a priest is going to the Lord on behalf of his people should he face them?

Mass

When the priest is acting as the intermediary between the people and God he faces the Altar. When he is dispensing the gifts of God, or speaking to the people, he faces the people.

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A true account:-

Nun: "Father why are you celebrating Mass with your back to us?"

Priest: "Would you rather me show my back to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords"

Need I say more? Even the Holy Father is facing the East. Look...

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13 January 2007, Baptism of the Lord at the Sistine Chapel

Facing East in important because "...The priest is above all a servant of others, and he must continually work at being a sign pointing to Christ, a docile instrument in the Lord's hands. This is seen particularly in his humility in leading the liturgical assembly, in obedience to the rite, uniting himself to it in mind and heart, and avoiding anything that might give the impression of an inordinate emphasis on his own personality. I encourage the clergy always to see their Eucharistic ministry as a humble service offered to Christ and his Church. The priesthood, as Saint Augustine said, is amoris officium, it is the office of the good shepherd, who offers his life for his sheep." Sacramentum Caritatis #23.

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