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Altar and the Direction of Liturgical Prayer, The
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

Number of quotes: 3


Book ID: 461 Page: 1

Section: 2A4

Despite all the variations in practice that have taken place far into the second millennium, one thing has remained clear for the whole of Christendom: praying toward the East is a tradition that goes back to the beginning. Moreover, it is a fundamental expression of the Christian synthesis of cosmos and history, of being rooted in the once-for-all events of salvation history while going out to meet the Lord who is to come again.

Quote ID: 9003

Time Periods: 7


Book ID: 461 Page: 1/2

Section: 2A4

This idea of universality of….And …is it appropriate, now as in the past, that we should express in Christian prayer our turning to the God who has revealed himself to us. Just as God assumed a body and entered the time and space of this world, so it is appropriate to prayer – at least to communal liturgical prayer – that our speaking to God should be “incarnational,” that it should be Christological, turned through the incarnate Word to the Triune God. The cosmic symbol of the rising sun expresses the universality of God above all particular places and yet maintains the concreteness of divine revelation. Our praying is thus inserted into the procession of the nations to God.

Quote ID: 9004

Time Periods: 7


Book ID: 461 Page: 4

Section: 2A4

On the other hand, a common turning to the East during the Eucharistic Prayer remains essential. This is not a case of something accidental, but of what is essential.

Quote ID: 9005

Time Periods: 7



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