The comments of Cardinal Robert Sarah, the prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship, given at a liturgical conference in London on July 5, concerning the direction in which the priest faces during Mass has caused quite a stir. Even Father Federico Lombardi, the papal spokesman, had to weigh in on the subject after the Holy Father, Pope Francis, had a private meeting with Cardinal Sarah.

The ordinary form of the Mass is that which is celebrated in the vast majorities of parishes on a daily basis. It is celebrated Versus Populum (facing the people), although, in some churches, due to the architecture, the Mass can be offered Ad Oriens (towards the east) because of the structure of the sanctuary.

The Vatican spokesman stated clearly: “Cardinal Sarah is always rightly concerned with the dignity of the celebration of Mass, that it might adequately express an attachment of respect and adoration for the eucharistic mystery,” and further, “Some of his phrasing has been badly interpreted, as if he had announced new, different indications from those now given in liturgical norms and the words of the popes on celebration toward the people and the ordinary rite of the Mass…”

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal “remains fully in force,” and the altar should be built away from the wall so “that Mass can be celebrated at it facing the people, which is desirable wherever possible.”

We can use this situation to learn two things: first, we need to understand that a suggestion by a cardinal, even one who is charged with the responsibility concerning Divine Worship, is precisely that – a suggestion. Second, what the cardinal really is calling for is a more reverent celebration of the Mass. The Mass is about the priest, as the celebrant, leading the people, in worshipping Christ, the Priest and Victim, the Savior and Redeemer.