FIDELIS MILES MILITIS: In The Old Mass Did The Priest Really Turn His Back On The People?

THE FAITHFUL KNIGHT

I am a convert to the One, True Faith. I am also what is called a Traditional Roman Catholic (or prior to 1965, just a regular, every day Catholic). But contrary to what you may have been taught, I, like most Traditionalists, am not a sedevacantist. I am loyal to the Magisterium and to the Holy Father; I believe that the Second Vatican Council was a true Church council and that the Novus Ordo Missae (Mass of Paul VI) can confect a true Eucharist when the rubrics are followed by a properly ordained Catholic priest. However, I believe that the massive destruction over the past fifty-one years has NOT been due to a misinterpretation of the Council’s documents, but is due to the documents themselves. I also believe that the Novus Ordo is grossly inferior to the Traditional Latin Mass (the True Mass, "the most beautiful thing this side of Heaven"), is Protestant in its orientation, and is grievously harmful to the Faith.

I support all Traditional Latin Mass orders (non-Sedevacantists), to include the SSPX, FSSP, ICKSP, and all diocesan priests who struggle to celebrate the True Mass under often terrible conditions.

Lastly, I hope all Roman Catholics who believe, as Holy Mother Church has taught these past 2,000 years, that there is Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus, take up the Cross & the Sword, and claim the title of “Faithful Knight.”

--I believe that Christ founded One Church, and that there is NO salvation outside Her.

--I believe that Irish monks saved Western civilization.

--I believe that the Crusades were a good thing.

--I believe that Islam is still the greatest threat to Western civilization.

--I will never apologize for the Catholic Church and Her mandate by Christ to spread the Gospel.

--I believe that at the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), Luther won.

--I believe that homosexuality has devastated the Catholic priesthood.

--I believe that many Novus Ordo bishops are direct successors to only one Apostle, Judas Iscariot.

--I believe that Dante was correct: The floor of Hell is littered with the skulls of bishops.

--I believe the "Reform of the Reform" is a toothless dog.

--I believe that Communion in the hand, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, removal of the altar rails, and removal of our tabernacles from the altar of sacrifice, has destroyed Catholic belief in the Real Presence.

--I believe that Traditional Catholics are at war with Roman-Protestants for the very soul of Holy Mother Church....and We will win!

--I believe that Russia has not been consecrated to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart by any Pope, and that parts of the Third Secret are still hidden by Rome.

--I believe that Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre will be raised to the altar as a Saint.

--I believe that if it were not for the Society of St. Pius X, Tradition would have died long ago.

--I believe that the Society of St. Pius X is the Marine Corps of Catholicism.

--I believe that the term "in full communion" is a sham. After all, per Rome, heretics like Cardinal Mahony and sodomites like Archbishop Weakland are "in full communion."

--I believe that the Republican Party is no different from the Democrat Party...and that they deserve each other.

--I believe that the U.S. Military produces the finest young men and women on the face of the earth.

--I believe that America has done more good for others around the world than any nation in history.

--I believe that our current Commander in Chief is a Marxist.

--I believe in the 2nd Amendment, just as the Fathers of our Nation did.

--I believe that the Death Penalty is a good thing.

--I believe in restoring all things in Christ.

Monday, November 18, 2013

In The Old Mass Did The Priest Really Turn His Back On The People?

“In the old days the priest said Mass with his back to the people.” The priest never had his back to the people. When churches began to be built in the early centuries of Church history, they were constructed in such a way that when the priest offered Mass he would be facing east. The people would face east as well. Priest and people would face east together. If east on a compass was impossible, priest and people would face “liturgical east”. Facing east together was what was most important.

What is so important about facing east? First, the sun rises in the east. The rising sun of the universe would be a reminder of the risen Son who created the universe. Nature itself speaks to us, remind us of the resurrection of Christ. Second, there is a tradition that when Christ returns at the end of the world, He will come from the east. Saying Mass with both priest and people facing east is a way for us, His people, to be ready and waiting to meet Him when He comes. It is a way to express eager expectation of His return. (Some cemeteries even bury the dead and have headstones facing east for the same reason). At Christmas, the Wise Men saw the Star of Bethlehem rise in the east to announce the Messiah’s coming. A sign in the sky from the east will also announce the Messiah’s second coming.

Graves facing the east awaiting the Messiah's return

The reason why priest and people faced the same direction during Mass also relates to the specific role of the priest. The priest is the spiritual leader of the people. The priest is entrusted with being like a good shepherd, who helps lead and guide the flock towards Christ. Since Christ will come from the east, it makes perfect sense that both the priest and people turn together towards the east, and that the priest be out in front leading the flock toward their ultimate Good Shepherd. General George Washington always got out in front of his soldiers and led them in battle. No soldier complained about Washington having his back to them as he led them in battle. Similarly, no one complains when a pilot, the leader of passengers, has his back to the people when he pilots the plane. They are happy he is focused on their destination. The priest is like a general or a pilot, in that he is a spiritual leader of the people. It makes sense that both priest and people face towards the east together, and that the priest lead them to their ultimate destination, to God.

Other things to consider: When the priest and people face the same direction, their souls and bodies are oriented where they should be – towards the Lord. When the priest and people face each other, a danger that could occur is that instead of being focused on God, the priest and people are focused in on each other and Mass can become worship of self and of human achievement, rather than a worship of God and focus on Him alone. Today, with priest and people facing each other, how often is there applause during Mass for some human accomplishment? How often is Mass focused on a specific group of people? How often did this occur when the priest and people faced the same direction and focused on God alone?

Take your pick ... This one

With priest and people facing each other, the priest can subconsciously feel he is on a stage, rather than in a sanctuary and that he has to try to be humorous or somehow interesting to the people. When the priest faces the same direction as the people, his face is unseen and his individuality is diminished. This helps the people and the priest. It helps the people focus on God alone and helps the priest suppress his own personality, driving home that he is a slave of God and the Mass, not the main character in a stage production.

“In the old days the priest said Mass with his back to the people.” Absolutely false! This gives the impression that the priest was haughty or that the people were excluded. Rather priest and people faced the same direction, faced towards the Lord.