TO THE EDITOR:
For 60 years, the “Novus Ordo” has allowed us to gaze upon the bread and wine and the Sacred Species themselves at Eucharist, without obstruction. But over the last several years, more obstacles, in the form of candlesticks and crucifixes, now obstruct the view for the people of God. Many who attend Mass have, in fact, asked why. Prior to the Novus Ordo, it was necessary for the priest to elevate the Sacred Species over his head for the people to see.
Why then do we want to make our people have to peek in between candles, often many of them, to experience the full view of what is most important on our altars? This observation is supported by the “General Instruction of the Roman Missal” in number 307. It states clearly the following: “The candlesticks required for the different liturgical services for reasons of reverence or the festive character of the celebration should be appropriately placed either on the altar or around it, according to the design of the altar and the sanctuary, so that the whole may be harmonious and the faithful may not be impeded from a clear view of what takes place at the altar or what is placed upon it.”
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