Q: During the Mass of ordination or perpetual profession, there is always the singing of the litany of saints. Usually the bishop or the religious superior presiding kneels in front of the altar. That sometimes gives the impression that he is facing the tabernacle as in most of the cases, the tabernacle is behind the altar. It is never clear whether he has turned to the altar or to the tabernacle.  I do believe that the altar is the center of gravity throughout the Mass. What about the concelebrant priests and bishops? Are they supposed to kneel facing the altar of the tabernacle?

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A:  The Order of Religious Profession says that the celebrant kneels “at his chair” (77). The ordination rite simply says that those not being ordained kneel.

I read this to mean people shouldn’t be facing anything in particular. They simply kneel at their place facing the same direction they would naturally face when they sit or stand.