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Most Catholics have never experienced the ancient posture of the Mass—ad orientem—where priest and people face the Lord together, and many don’t even know why it mattered for nearly 2,000 years. In this episode of Ad Orientem: The Ancient Posture We’ve Forgotten, we look at what the Church and Vatican II actually teach about Mass orientation, “full and active participation,” and how this posture can help restore belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

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If God forgives all our sins, why does Purgatory still exist? Many Catholics struggle with this question, and today we unpack what the Church actually teaches about forgiveness, purification, and God’s perfect love.

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Did Vatican II require the priest to face the people? Short answer: no.
In this episode, we unpack *ad orientem*—what it is, what the Roman Missal actually says, and why the Church’s worship faces the Lord.

— EPISODE SUMMARY —
Fr. Dan and Ken walk through the Church’s teaching and practice on Mass orientation. We clarify common misconceptions about Vatican II, explain the idea of “liturgical East,” look at the Roman Missal rubrics that tell the priest when to turn and face the people, and review the year-2000 Vatican clarification that versus populum is an option—not an obligation. Pastoral takeaways: mutual openness, reverence, and a vertical focus on God.

— KEY POINTS —
• What “ad orientem” means: priest and people facing the Lord together  
• “Liturgical East”: crucifix/tabernacle as our shared focus  
• Vatican II: what it did—and did **not**—say about orientation  
• 1964 instruction on freestanding altars: an option for celebration facing the people  
• Roman Missal rubrics: why “turn to face the people” appears (and what that implies)  
• 2000 clarification (CDW): facing the people is **not** obligatory  
• Benedict XVI (Cardinal Ratzinger): avoid labels; seek the best realization of the liturgy  
• Pastoral how-to: reintroducing ad orientem prudently and catechetically

— QUOTES/REFERENCES —
• Michael Lang, *Turning Towards the Lord* (foreword by Joseph Ratzinger)  
• General Instruction / Roman Missal rubrics (on turning to face the people)  
• CDW, 2000 clarification on celebration facing the people

— CHAPTERS —
00:00 Intro — Ad Orientem Unveiled: What Vatican II Really Taught
01:04 Homily begins: Fr Dan Yasinski: What Vatican II didn't say
03:08 What “Ad Orientem” means & it's historical significance 
05:28 Why “Liturgical East” matters (crucifix & tabernacle as focus)
06:21 Does the Church allow for Ad Orientem?
09:53 Benedict XVI (Ratzinger): mutual openness, not labels
11:38 Interview with Fr Dan Begins - Did Vatican ask priest to face the people?
15:36 Q&A segment: What are the rubrics? 
18:24 How are the rubrics over looked?
19:58 Why are the instructions from the Vatican on Ad Orientem ignored?
22:32 Responding to the critics of Ad Orientem worship
27:27 Is Ad Orientem worship non-inclusive?
30:46 Conclusion & invitation: “We turn to the Lord”

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Many Catholics are watching Pope Leo closely — some with hope, others with concern. What kind of shepherd will he be for the Church?  

In this candid conversation, Fr. Cristino Bouvette joins Ken Yasinski to reflect on Pope Leo’s first six months as successor of St. Peter — his tone, gestures, and early decisions — and what they reveal about the direction of the Church today.  

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Why does the Catholic Church still use Latin in the Mass? 
Discover the sacred reason this ancient language continues to unite, elevate, and sanctify our worship.

In this episode, Fr. Dan Yasinski and Ken Yasinski uncover the sacred reason Latin still belongs in the Catholic Mass—and how this ancient language continues to draw souls deeper into the mystery of God. 

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For centuries, worship shaped the world we live in — from art and architecture to culture itself. But what happens when we stop worshipping God and start worshipping ourselves?

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Many Catholics assume Vatican II got rid of Latin in the Catholic Mass — but that’s not what the Council taught.

In this episode, Fr. Dan Yasinski and Ken Yasinski explore the Catholic Church’s true teaching on Latin, the Mass, and the Sacred Liturgy.

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Is Halloween something Catholics should avoid — or something we should reclaim? 🎃

In this episode, Fr. Cristino and Ken unpack the Catholic origins of Halloween — “All Hallows’ Eve” — and explain how this ancient vigil of All Saints’ Day can still be celebrated with joy, faith, and reverence.

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The Catholic Mass: Restoring the Sacred Through Tradition
Have we forgotten what makes the Mass sacred?

Every generation receives the liturgy as a gift — but not every generation guards it the same way. In this episode, Fr. Dan Yasinski and I explore how Sacred Tradition is the heart of the liturgy — and why recovering that understanding can renew the Church today.

We’ll look at:
➡️ Why Tradition is at the heart of the Catholic liturgy
➡️ Why we shouldn’t chase either antiquity or novelty
➡️ How Tradition develops under the guidance of the Holy Spirit
➡️ What “Restoring the Sacred” really means for today’s worship

This is part two of our series on The Catholic Liturgy: The Reform of the Reform — a deeper look at how the Church’s worship can once again draw hearts to God in reverence and truth.

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Pope John Paul II changed everything for us — even how we met.

In this special episode, released for his feast day, we share how St. John Paul II shaped our lives, our marriage, and our mission. His call for a New Evangelization didn’t just renew the Church — it gave us direction, purpose, and eventually, each other.

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