tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598228705498900088.post660872545300774211..comments2024-03-12T07:54:08.013+00:00Comments on Offerimus Tibi Domine: Mass Ad OrientemFr Simon Henryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05375804232895565241noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598228705498900088.post-55397255833480097742012-10-04T22:11:20.657+01:002012-10-04T22:11:20.657+01:00It always annoys me when people accuse a priest sa...It always annoys me when people accuse a priest saying Mass <i>ad orientem</i> of "turning his back to the people".<br />I respond by asking them if they consider that my great uncle, an infantry subaltern in WWI, was killed "with his back to his men". That usually shuts them up.Jonathan Marshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03955408376728340845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598228705498900088.post-16890406029338145972012-10-04T21:20:19.860+01:002012-10-04T21:20:19.860+01:00The role of the priest is to say the Mass and to l...The role of the priest is to say the Mass and to lead the congregation to God. He cannot do this by facing them. He then becomes a distraction and an obstruction to the flow of prayer.<br /><br />As is now well understood, the turning of the congregation in on itself was but an attempt by reformers to dilute or deny the concept of a Redeeming Sacrifice and turn the Mass into a commemorative meal.<br /><br />Personally I have taken to following the Novus Ordo with my eyes closed most of the time to avoid this barrier to prayer. The trouble is I sometimes nod off!Jacobinoreply@blogger.com