Now I recognize that it’s not normal for someone to get so excited over something like this. I also fully recognize that I am far from normal. I am quite odd at times, and once and a while, I’m downright weird. Just wanted to clear that up for y’all. Of course, anyone who knows me in real life already knew this.
Update: Bishop Morlino consecrated the altar, followed by a Pontifical Low Mass.
For those of you who know me well, you know (or could at least have guessed) that I didn’t particularly admire the arrangement at the Bishop O’Connor center in the chapel. Celebrant’s chair in the middle, little wooden (no gold) tabernacle off to the side with no altar rail around or even separation from the rest of the church, etc…
But the times are a-changin’ thanks to our amazing bishop. We’ve gone from this:
To this (take note of the altar arrangement, dignified vestments on both the bishop and his MC, as well as the missal stand):
Photo by Fr. Z
He’s is off to a great start with the “benedictine arrangement” of the cross and candles, modeled by our Holy Father. Brick by brick, as they say.
It’s an excellent first step in taking the focus off the celebrant, and back where it should be. He’s also used this arrangement in the cathedral parish, and at all diocesan liturgies.
But now, he’s taken the next step. That step is….drum roll please…
Moving the Eucharist back to the middle into a dignified tabernacle!! And not only that, but also building a nice traditional high altar to go along with it too!
Yep, you read that right. All you Madisonians, hear me: The BOC now has a high altar. And quite a snazzy one too, if I do say so myself. I can’t wait to see it after it’s consecrated, covered with altar cloths, and the lofty candlesticks on the back.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t been consecrated yet, so it does not yet have candlesticks or altar cloths, but you can just imagine those for the time being. Feast your eyes on this, people:
- Nice, isn’t it?
The place for the altar cross or monstrance (I wish I knew what this was called!)
The Sanctuary, as of 2-21-2012
Now Bishop, I’m confident you read my blog on a very regular basis (following in the footsteps of the Holy Father, of course), so I just want to thank you for adding one more aspect of reverence and dignity to the liturgies at the BOC. More people will appreciate it than you know.
And while you’re still here, Bishop, if I may, I’d like to put in a word conerning how it will be ornamented.
C’mon, you know you want to. 
[...] [...]
Famous!
Nice work Ben!
[...] [...]
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Thank you, indeed!
Can the choir be moved to a less prominent position?
Oh, that’s an old picture showing what it was like before. They’re no longer up there.
[...] [...]
Actually–the choir doesn’t sing up there. That photo is one taken during the recording of Christmas Day Mass for the Appostolate to the Handicapped television ministry. It is the only time the choir sings there during Mass, and it’s only for the sake of recording convenience.
This is, indeed, most excellend news, and I’m so glad to have spotted this link in my blog feed–I’ll be following you now, Ben!
Hey Ben, I have a suggestion: there seems to be some confusion with some of your readers. They don’t understand the progression over time of how the sanctuary has evolved. Perhaps you could the year the photo was taken as a caption.
Dear Ben,
Great stuff! I love your patroness!!! I was out at the O’Connor center on the 29th and Fr. Greg Ihm gave me the a thorough demonstration of the new high altar. I tried to get some pics, but the flash wouldn’t work on my cell phone. I, too, think it is awesome. Our’s here at the parish might end up even better. I should have composite drawings on the 14th. Keep up the good work. God Bless.
Your Pastor,
Fr. John
[...] Most of you probably recall my giddy excitement when I walked into the BOC chapel, and saw the new high altar. Yesterday, Bishop Morlino dedicated it, then celebrated a pontifical low Mass upon it. It was an absolutely beautiful Mass, and that day, I realized how much I really love the extraordinary form. I always enjoyed getting to EF Masses, but it really stuck me yesterday how prayerful they always are, and it reminded me of the feelings of how much I wish I could attend them more often, and more conveniently (Fr. John, I’m talking to you ). [...]