Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
October 30, 2002
Bishops: Standing during eucharistic prayer should be rare exception
By Nancy Frazier O'Brien
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Standing during the eucharistic prayer at Mass in U.S. dioceses is permitted "only on exceptional and extraordinary occasions ... and never on a regular basis," the U.S. bishops' Committee on Liturgy said in its latest newsletter.
The committee's September newsletter, made public in mid-October, said "the only licit posture" during the eucharistic prayer is kneeling, unless Catholics "are prevented on occasion from kneeling due to `health, lack of space, the large number of people present, or some other good reason.'" The newsletter was quoting from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
The determination of what is a "good reason" is left to bishops in each diocese, the newsletter said.
Since the Vatican-approved U.S. adaptations of the Roman Missal took effect April 25, the bishops' Secretariat for Liturgy has received "several inquiries" about the proper posture during the eucharistic prayer, the newsletter said.
"A certain confusion in this regard is understandable," it added, because of the "wide variety of practice" before the U.S. adaptations took effect.
The newsletter said the words "on occasion" were specifically chosen by the bishops "in order to establish a uniform posture of kneeling during the eucharistic prayer."
"The General Instruction of the Roman Missal notes that the posture of the people `ought to draw things together in such a way that the entire celebration shines with beauty and noble simplicity, the true and full meaning of the different parts of the celebration is perceived, and that the participation of all is encouraged,'" the committee said.
"Therefore, closer attention should be paid to the postures prescribed by the liturgical books than to `private inclination or arbitrary choice,'" it added, again citing the General Instruction.
"To assist in catechesis for the proper common posture at Mass," the committee published the following summary:
•From the beginning of Mass until the first reading: Stand.
•From the first reading until the Gospel acclamation: Sit.
•From the Gospel acclamation until the end of the Gospel: Stand.
•During the homily: Sit.
•From the profession of faith until the end of the general intercessions: Stand.
•From the preparation of the gifts to the completion of "Pray, brethren": Sit.
•From the beginning of the people's response ("May the Lord" ...) through the "Holy, Holy": Stand.
•From the completion of the "Holy, Holy" until after the amen of the eucharistic prayer: Kneel.
•From the beginning of the Our Father until the completion of the Lamb of God: Stand.
•From the completion of the Lamb of God (at "Behold the Lamb of God") until the distribution of Communion: Kneel.
•When receiving Communion: Stand.
•During the silence after the distribution of Communion: Sit or kneel.
•From the beginning of the prayer after Communion until the end of Mass: Stand.
Contact Us
