After discussion with the other friars here and our parish staff, and consultation with our pastoral council, I have decided to have the 12 noon Mass on Sundays celebrated ad orientem on every Sunday, beginning on Sunday, February 26, the First Sunday of Lent. An ad orientem celebration means that the Mass is celebrated with the celebrant facing the same direction as the congregation when bringing their prayers to God (especially during the Eucharistic Prayer) and toward the congregation when addressing the people directly and when bringing the Word of God and the blessing of God to the people (such as during the proclamation of the Gospel, the homily, the greeting at the beginning of Mass and the final blessing at the end of Mass). It is important, I know, to be very careful in making any changes in the way the Mass is celebrated, even a change like this that is fully in keeping with the liturgical directives of the Church. This is why this ad orientem celebration will only be at the noon Mass, so that parishioners may attend this Mass as an option if they so desire, but can attend other Masses if they desire the customary versus populum celebration of Mass.
As you may be aware, since August 2017 we have celebrated the 12 noon Sunday Mass ad orientem on the first Sunday of each month as well as every Sunday of Advent and Lent, and this seems to have been well received by our 12 noon Sunday Mass goers.
In the weeks leading up to this change, there will be bulletin articles written by our parish friars on the pastoral, theological, and liturgical meaning of this way of celebration of the Mass, some practical considerations, and some answers to possible questions you may have.
My hope is that this will offer our parishioners, as an option, a fuller experience of the living tradition of the Church, a better understanding of the role of the priest as mediator between God and the congregation at Mass. As always, please let me know of any questions or suggestions you may have.
Peace, Fr. Stephen, O.P.
