Minnesota Diocese Gives ‘Ad Orientem’ Worship a Shot

Unlike the Traditional Latin Mass, which refers to the form of the Roman Rite prior to the reforms of Vatican II, ad orientem is a posture that can be used in the celebration of the post-conciliar Mass.
At a time when traditional expressions of worship are being curtailed by some bishops, the leader of one diocese in northeastern Minnesota is taking a different approach: letting parish communities give it a go.
Over the past year, Bishop Daniel Felton of the Diocese of Duluth has provided guidance for nine diocesan parishes to regularly celebrate Mass ad orientem on a trial basis after local pastors made the request.
And at least in some of the parishes, the results seem to be bearing fruit.
“With proper teaching, it’s tremendous how much people have embraced it,” said Angie Gadacz, 47, a parishioner at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd, who had limited exposure to ad orientem before it began to be used one Sunday a month throughout 2025.
Meaning “to the east,” the ad orientem…