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Wednesday, June 9
My Friends Understand Me
A recent crie-de-coeur text message from a friend: "Church in the round - why??"
Previously, on All Souls Day, the same pal sent me just one word via text: "Catafalque!"
Well, *someone* gets to see Church-in-the-round as ad orientem; if they know what's good for them.
At the only instance I've visited, the tabernacle was -- alas -- in a very strange peripheral place (such that there was no discernible axis to the layout, overall), but I think it did have its own altar.
There were a few in-the-round churches done during the pre-conciliar period, some which actually sort of worked, as there was a canopy over the high altar and some directionality. (I personally think the only way to fix a church like that tho is to install a hanging pyx).
The original Church of the Ascension was round and open to the sky. Many other pilgrim churches were also round, as it facilitated moving all the pilgrims in, out, and around the sights of the church.
I have nothing against round churches--it's in-the-round altars smack dab in the middle (which are something of a novelty, save maybe one or two ancient examples, often rare and highly idiosyncratic) that are the problem for me.
Well, *someone* gets to see Church-in-the-round as ad orientem; if they know what's good for them.
ReplyDeleteAt the only instance I've visited, the tabernacle was -- alas -- in a very strange peripheral place (such that there was no discernible axis to the layout, overall), but I think it did have its own altar.
How about a Tridentine Mass at a church-in-the-round? Granting that they only use half, it's still bewildering :)
ReplyDeleteThere were a few in-the-round churches done during the pre-conciliar period, some which actually sort of worked, as there was a canopy over the high altar and some directionality. (I personally think the only way to fix a church like that tho is to install a hanging pyx).
ReplyDeleteThe original Church of the Ascension was round and open to the sky. Many other pilgrim churches were also round, as it facilitated moving all the pilgrims in, out, and around the sights of the church.
ReplyDeleteI have nothing against round churches--it's in-the-round altars smack dab in the middle (which are something of a novelty, save maybe one or two ancient examples, often rare and highly idiosyncratic) that are the problem for me.
ReplyDelete