http://catholicism.org/ad-rem-no-120.html An online journal edited by the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Richmond N.H. Wed, 23 May 2012 11:02:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://catholicism.org/ad-rem-no-120.html#comment-1848 John Sullivan Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:30:11 +0000 http://catholicism.org/?p=13364#comment-1848 I always enjoy hearing the perspective from someone as consistent and informed as Brother André Marie. I always struggle to define the phrase "Traditional Mass" for it is unlikely that the Apostles in Jerusalem (to say nothing of the early Church in Egypt's Alexandria) would depart far from their early Aramaic, Hebrew or Greek to adapt to the Venacular of the Roman Empire, or a variant for the Church with roots indeed in Africa. So in this context the phrase always seems to go back to an intermediate era in our Church's hitory. However that intermediate era was behind the design of the incredible Saint Peter’s Basilica. I am so grateful for my many visits there, and there are no easy answers to questions the Church has been facing - pardon the pun, over whether the intermediate or newer ways are better. The various incredible Altars including the western-most Cathedra of St. Peter by Bernini (which has never been captured in all beauty by any camera) were all clearly designed originally for the Celebrant to face outward from the Laity. Yet the Central Altar sends a much different message by its design, as facing the Laity is not only unavoidable, but intended. Thanks again for the great flashbacks, and the great reports! I always enjoy hearing the perspective from someone as consistent and informed as Brother André Marie. I always struggle to define the phrase “Traditional Mass” for it is unlikely that the Apostles in Jerusalem (to say nothing of the early Church in Egypt’s Alexandria) would depart far from their early Aramaic, Hebrew or Greek to adapt to the Venacular of the Roman Empire, or a variant for the Church with roots indeed in Africa. So in this context the phrase always seems to go back to an intermediate era in our Church’s hitory. However that intermediate era was behind the design of the incredible Saint Peter’s Basilica. I am so grateful for my many visits there, and there are no easy answers to questions the Church has been facing – pardon the pun, over whether the intermediate or newer ways are better. The various incredible Altars including the western-most Cathedra of St. Peter by Bernini (which has never been captured in all beauty by any camera) were all clearly designed originally for the Celebrant to face outward from the Laity. Yet the Central Altar sends a much different message by its design, as facing the Laity is not only unavoidable, but intended. Thanks again for the great flashbacks, and the great reports!

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