Escaping the Closed Circle: Why in the TLM the Epistle Is Read Eastwards and the Gospel Northwards

In this lecture, Dr. Kwasniewski focuses on the Mass of Catechumens (the first part of the traditional Latin Mass) and explores why the Epistle and Gospel are read to the east and the north, respectively. At a Solemn Mass—the most ancient and fullest form of the Roman rite, with priest, deacon, and subdeacon—the subdeacon chants the Epistle on the right side of the sanctuary, standing ad orientem, that is, toward the sanctuary wall on or before which the altar is mounted. If we think the reading is just a moment of instruction for the benefit of the congregation, it will strike us as odd that he's chanting it facing away from the people. Similarly, after the interlectional chants have been sung, the deacon, subdeacon, and acolytes form a small procession to the place where the Gospel will be chanted, and the deacon proclaims it facing northwards—on the left side of the church, facing the left wall: again, not towards the people present. In both cases, it’s clear that “something is up.” This centuries-old rite must be doing this not at random but for a reason. What is that reason? As we delve into the symbolic dimensions of it, we find opening before us depth upon depth of theological doctrine and spiritual nourishment.  Given at St. Mary of Redford Catholic Church in Detroit on March 5, 2022. There is also a half-hour Q&A in a separate video.