Q&A

General Questions on the Extraordinary Form The Solemn High Mass The Solemn High Pontifical Mass Priest Facing the Altar (Ad Orientem) Sacred Silence and Active Participation The Asperges Me (Sprinkling Rite) Incense Holy Communion Confession Veils

Wasn't Mass facing the people called for at Vatican II?

No. Nothing in any of the documents of the Second Vatican Council call for a change in orientation of the priest. In fact, there is no Church document that calls for it. Even the Missal used for the Ordinary Form seems to assume that the priest is facing ad orientem when it instructs him at the "Pray Brethren" and "Behold the Lamb of God" to say these prayers "facing the people."