While the free-standing altar can be physically moved, it is still used for the other 2 weekend Masses. Also, it is still a blessed altar, and while I don’t know all of the “rubrics” about things such as this, I have been given the impression that it would be innappropriate to move a blessed altar (with relics and stuff in it.) Plus there is the practical detail of where to store it when not in use (as you can see it is a small church, and there is not much storage space!)
This good priest also started Adoration, moved the celebrant's chair from center to side, oversaw the return of cassocks & surplices, brought out the incense, returned the chalice veil and the tabernacle veil, found us a deacon, hired a CATHOLIC Music Director, hired a DRE who believes in the Real Presence,
but he eats like a bird and we need to help him "fatten up" a little bit. :)
But the low altar really ought to be moved, unless it's extremely heavy or difficult to move. I know you said, Mara, that you didn't know if it was appropriate to move it. It is, actually, quite within the rubrics to be a blessed altar: they antipate and allow for the altar to be moved as long as you don't remove the mensa from it (if you do that, you have to have it re-blessed). Actually, it is significantly preferable to remove it whenever it isn't being used, because the high altar represents Christ, and it is incredibly theologically problematic to have two of them. It's also really aesthetically displeasing. At St. Josaphat's, the remove the free standing altar whenever the high altar is in use. In fact the Conegration for Divine Worship has said that, in their opinion, having only one altar at the center of the Church is very important.
But I certainly won't let the best become the enemy of the good, and this is really good!
6 comments:
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! I'm very excited for you! Fr. G is awesome!
Although, why don't they move the low altar? It's kind of in the way. No disrespect, but it only seems logical to move it if it's not in use.
Where have I seen those pictures before...
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2009/01/another-novus-ordo-mass-ad-orientem/
While the free-standing altar can be physically moved, it is still used for the other 2 weekend Masses. Also, it is still a blessed altar, and while I don’t know all of the “rubrics” about things such as this, I have been given the impression that it would be innappropriate to move a blessed altar (with relics and stuff in it.) Plus there is the practical detail of where to store it when not in use (as you can see it is a small church, and there is not much storage space!)
Can be moved? Maybe 'could be moved' would be more accurate.
The pictures are a little deceiving, from the angle and elevation of the choir loft. The top alone must be 5'x5'x6". It's probably very, very heavy.
That said, when it's time to relocate it, I'm available!
This good priest also
started Adoration,
moved the celebrant's chair from center to side,
oversaw the return of cassocks & surplices,
brought out the incense,
returned the chalice veil
and the tabernacle veil,
found us a deacon,
hired a CATHOLIC Music Director,
hired a DRE who believes in the Real Presence,
but he eats like a bird and we need to help him "fatten up" a little bit. :)
Beautiful!
But the low altar really ought to be moved, unless it's extremely heavy or difficult to move. I know you said, Mara, that you didn't know if it was appropriate to move it. It is, actually, quite within the rubrics to be a blessed altar: they antipate and allow for the altar to be moved as long as you don't remove the mensa from it (if you do that, you have to have it re-blessed). Actually, it is significantly preferable to remove it whenever it isn't being used, because the high altar represents Christ, and it is incredibly theologically problematic to have two of them. It's also really aesthetically displeasing. At St. Josaphat's, the remove the free standing altar whenever the high altar is in use. In fact the Conegration for Divine Worship has said that, in their opinion, having only one altar at the center of the Church is very important.
But I certainly won't let the best become the enemy of the good, and this is really good!
Praise God!
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