Fr Perrone, the Rector of the Assumption Grotto has taken away the forward-facing altar that disrupted the line of sight to their magnificent High Altar (at which Mass is normally said anyway.) Te Deum Laudamus has the story: Assumption Grotto's Sanctuary: Low Altar Removed.
Interestingly, there will be a moveable altar available for priests who want to celebrate Mass versus populum. It seems to me that this is a good arrangement for the time being: have the High Altar as the norm and the Volksaltar available to be wheeled on if needed. This would be much easier than setting up the High Altar as we have to do several times a week at Blackfen.
The proper High Altar, as you can see from the photo of Assumption Grotto, leaves a proper space in the sanctuary for the various functions that happen at High Mass, Vespers, Benediction and other services. In very many Churches, the removal of the forward-facing altar will restore the architects original vision for the Church.
5 comments:
How very prescient, Fr, your choice of words in the headline: "Clear line of sight to the High Altar".
Many would say that, in removing some of the more "modernistic" and "liberal" Post-Conciliar "innovations", one would, indeed, be able to see clearly to God.
In Liverpool we have a beautiful Church St Francis Xavier (SFX as it is known) with a wonderful altar in front of which there has been erected what can only be described as a ugly square block of no beauty so that the Priest can fact the people. It is quite ridiculous and shows no appreciation of the design of the Church.
If it were to be removed and the Priest were to return to facing the altar the Church would once again be celebrating the Mass in the way the Architect envisaged which is what this Church in America have had the common sense to do
I should add that I have known Churches where traditional altars have been separated from the wall and moved forward so permitting the Priest to face the people in a way that is in harmony with the original design of the design of the Church.
That reminds me that the first time my family and I assisted at mass at Lancaster cathedral was just after it had been reordered. We arrived a little late, and found a place in a side aisle, near the back. We couldn't see the nave altar at all, and the action of the mass was therefore entirely hidden from us, but we had a clear view of the unused high altar.
I was in Rheims cathedral last month and was struck by the fact that neither the Baroque high altar (no longer in use) nor the horrible modern cube in front of it could be considered in harmony with the building.
The same applies to Notre Dame (Paris). I attended what passed for First Vespers of the Assumption, and in front of the cube stood a tripod upon which incense was being burned. It looked to me ... well, pagan actually.
Not really connected with this post but....Solesmes Gregorian Missal now available with new English translation. Now there's no excuse for not using the Gradual in the OF. Sorry if this is old news. My copy just arrived from France.
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