The New Roman Missal

Ad orientem.  It means "to the East" and for centuries, it's how the Mass was celebrated: both the priest and the parishioners facing the altar and worshiping as one.  Of course, Vatican II did away with all of that old fashioned jazz.  So, how's it working for you? Do you find that the Mass is about the celebration of the Eucharist...or about the personality of the priest?

Since the phasing-out of the ad orientem Mass, the Liturgy has become more horizontal and less vertical.  That is, the emphasis has come to be placed on the connection between parishioners, rather than on the connection between the parishioner and God.  Horizontal worship is exemplified by the liturgically incorrect holding of hands during the Our Father (don't believe me that it's liturgically incorrect? Read through the GIRM - the General Intercession of the Roman Missal and find the page wherein it instructs the faithful to join hands during the Our Father.  I'll wait.  Satisfied?), while vertical worship is exemplified by the old-style folding of the hands with palms and fingers pressed together and pointed upward.  I know, I know, it's *hard* to hold your hands this way (although all four of my children, okay 3.5 of them, manage to do so all through the Mass) when clasping them down by your belt buckle is the same thing.  Isn't it? Well, actually, posture means something.  Either you're hanging out with a buddy, clasping your hands for lack of something better to do with them, or you're reverently praying during the Mass? Which is it? If you have any questions about proper posture and gestures during Mass, Adoremus clears them up nicely.

In any case: ad orientem.  When the priest worships in the same direction as the people, he is placing the focus back squarely where it belongs - on the Eucharist.  The congregation is not focusing on the priest - on his hair, his glasses, his tics, his mannerisms.  Further, the priest is relieved of his temptation for some, burden for others, of entertaining his congregation.  Some priests are adept at remembering their role, their only role, during Mass, while others seem to view the altar as their personal stage.  Every word is milked for drama; every gesture is calculated for maximum effect.  The celebration of the Mass is not the Fr. Fred show.  There should never be any confusion about that.