Ad Orientum verses Ad Populum priestly posture--to Whom should the priest pray?

“For as the lightning comes from the East and shines as far as the West,

so too will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

                                                                --Matthew 24:27

1. What is the Ad Orientum Holy sacrifice of the Mass?

Ad orientem (Latin for “toward the East”) refers to a liturgical posture in which the priest and congregation face the same direction during the Mass. Traditionally, it was toward the liturgical East. Ad populum refers to the liturgical posture where the priest faces the populus or congregation. In ad orientum Holy Masses, the priest is not “turning his back” on the people; rather, he and the people are oriented together toward God. It is most commonly associated with the Traditional Latin Mass, but it is also fully permitted in the Novus Ordo.

If you haven’t had the chance to celebrate ad orientum Holy Masses; consider dropping by a Ukrainian or Orthodox Catholic parish for the Divine Liturgy. Instead of thinking ad orientum is an outdated practice, consider what can be learned from tradition -- why was it done? Understanding such things — may offer better focus, separate prayers to God from laity conversations, thereby increasing growth in holiness & in the glory we provide to God.

• Ad Orientum Holy Mass allows the priest to speak directly to Our Lord Jesus Christ in the tabernacle. When speaking directly to the congregation, the priest turns around. Ad orientum enables direct respect to all parties involved, especially God & enhances the Mass' spiritual experience.

• It keeps all current priestly options, rites & rubrics intact; as well as our ability to exercise the right to worship as protected by the constitutional 1st Amendment. By enabling all priests, the right to offer Holy Mass facing the tabernacle to those interested; priests can restore this meaningful tradition thereby deepening our connections with God.
• Priests who do not wish to participate can satisfy worshippers who wish to maintain the status quo. No one is harmed, and others may gain. 

•  In the opening quote, St Matthew tells us that when Christ returns to judge the world, He will come from the East. Let us keep watch with the priest for when He comes for us. 

2. In his book, The Spirit of the Liturgy, Pope Benedict XVI writes,

“a common turning to the East during the Eucharistic Prayer remains essential.

This is not a case of something accidental. Looking at the priest has no importance.

What matters is looking together at the Lord. 

It is not a question of dialogue, but of common worship; of setting off towards the One who is to come.

What corresponds with the reality of what is happening is not the closed circle,

but the common movement forward expressed in a common direction for prayer.”

3. How we pray reflects what we believe.

• Fr. Mike Schmitz from Ascension Presents, states the Latin quote in life of the Church: “Lex orandi, lex credendi." This means, “The law of prayer is the law of faith.” The Church believes as she prays.

• St. Augustine sums our present context:

“When we rise to pray, we turn East, where heaven begins.

And we do this not because God is there, as if He had moved away from the other directions on earth…,

but rather to help us remember to turn our mind towards a higher order, that is, to God.”

4. Consider how certain diocesan, new priests are losing the right to the Ad Orientem privilege.

Rationales for these decisions are unknown. Do you believe new priests should have the right to choose this sacred practice for a reverent celebration of the Holy Eucharist? Perhaps it is time to ask your priests about their privilege status and alert your bishop if there are concerns.

Please give all priests permission and the option to face Him--along with us--in hopeful expectation too!

Let us all go to the Lord as one body.