Versus Deum – the Way of Celebrating Holy Mass in Two Forms of Roman Rite

Abstract

This article compares the two ways of celebrating Mass and also takes up the matter of the direction in which the priest celebrates it in the Ordinary and in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. In the Extraordinary Form, the priest turns in the same direction as the worshippers, that is to the east or towards the cross (versus orientem). In the Ordinary Form, the norm is celebrating the Mass facing the people (versus populum), although it can be also celebrated versus orientem. The article draws attention that in both cases, the most important thing is directing thoughts to God, not the setting of the priest and the faithful participating in the Mass