Communion Procedure

[annie1914]

QUESTION: Should the entire congragation stand or kneel while they ALL receive Communion BOTH before & after, the ENTIRE time from the beginning to the end. Do they stand or kneel both before & after they receive from the beginning of the Communion
**until the entire Communion service is completed. I hope that I have it clear.How is this conducted in the U.S.A., Canada, Ireland, England & Italy. Thanks in advance for your reply -

 

[Eireann]

annie1914:

QUESTION: Should the entire congragation stand or kneel while they ALL receive Communion BOTH before & after, the ENTIRE time from the beginning to the end. Do they stand or kneel both before & after they receive from the beginning of the Communion
**until the entire Communion service is completed. I hope that I have it clear.How is this conducted in the U.S.A., Canada, Ireland, England & Italy. Thanks in advance for your reply -

In Ireland we line up to receive, those waiting to join the line sit or kneel.
When we return to our pews we kneel in a private prayer of thanksgiving, then some sit and wait until the distribution of Communion is finished, when the priest says the words “let us pray” we all kneel.

 

[msproule]

The GIRM does not explicitly state the posture of the faithful during the distribution, so multiple interpretations exist. The USCCB has indicated that the norm for receiving is standing. Following the call for a general uniformity in posture, a few Bishops and priests have indicated that the faithful should all stand throughout this entire period. Elsewhere, they may sit, stand, or kneel at this time.

During the prescribed period of sacred silence which follows, the faithful are told they may sit or kneel at their own preference. The question is when does this period of silence begin? Some think it begins as soon as one receives Holy Communion, others think it is after everybody has received and the priest sits.

Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to your question. It depends on which Diocese (and even which parish) you visit.

 

[LilyM]

When I were a wee young thing (far too long ago now ) I was taught that from the end of the Lamb of God to the time the Host was placed back into the tabernacle you should be kneeling when you weren’t standing in line to receive, receiving or walking back to your seat. I find it respectful to do so, but then it’s just my opinion.

 

[MrS]

At this point one might think that common sense would enter into the equation… but we have to remember that we are Catholic, and to some, we are Church.

My position (no pun) is that anything that lessens the reverence due to the Lord should be suspect… and the ones who either encourage or participate in less reverence instead of more, are also suspect (be it clergy or laity).

I hope that sounds judgmental… it was meant to be. I think (judge if you will) it must be more of Him, and less of me.

Discipline, and disciplines only make us stronger.

Next thing you know, some will get their ashes on Tuesday night… oops… I think that change has already occured in some churches.

 

[msproule]

MrS:

I hope that sounds judgmental… it was meant to be. I think (judge if you will) it must be more of Him, and less of me.

I agree 100%. It is almost comical at some of the parishes. Everybody stands throughout the distribution, then they sit for ten seconds with the preist for the “period of sacred silence”, then they stand back up for the final prayer. My sequence is more fluid; I’ll go with the flow and stand until I go up to receive, then kneel upon returning to my seat (I require more sacred silence time!) I will then sit when everybody else sits and stand for the final prayer.

Next thing you know, some will get their ashes on Tuesday night… oops… I think that change has already occured in some churches.

…Or it will be translated to the following Sunday!
:bigyikes:

 

[Guy]

In our diocese we are taught to stand during the communion rite. The idea that is taught is that we receive the Body of Christ as one body. We can kneel, sit or stand after the last person has received Communion.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

msproule:

The GIRM does not explicitly state the posture of the faithful during the distribution, so multiple interpretations exist. The USCCB has indicated that the norm for receiving is standing. Following the call for a general uniformity in posture, a few Bishops and priests have indicated that the faithful should all stand throughout this entire period. Elsewhere, they may sit, stand, or kneel at this time.

During the prescribed period of sacred silence which follows, the faithful are told they may sit or kneel at their own preference. The question is when does this period of silence begin? Some think it begins as soon as one receives Holy Communion, others think it is after everybody has received and the priest sits.

Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to your question. It depends on which Diocese (and even which parish) you visit.

The is a clear answer for the Vatican Congregation for Worship and Sacraments. No one is to specify the posture the faithful take AFTER returning to the pew after receiving Holy Communion. You may sit, stand or kneel.

 

[MrS]

Guy:

In our diocese we are taught to stand during the communion rite. The idea that is taught is that we receive the Body of Christ as one body. We can kneel, sit or stand after the last person has received Communion.

Gaylord, huh?

Has the ultimate concern…
that of reverence in posture, in appearance, in attitude, in acknowledging WHO it is we are graced to be so personal with
… part of what is taught in your diocese.

In other words, is the worship commission more involved, or is there just less of the “More of Him, Less of Me” direction for the celebration of the Mass?

 

[MrS]

Guy:

In our diocese we are taught to stand during the communion rite. The idea that is taught is that we receive the Body of Christ as one body. We can kneel, sit or stand after the last person has received Communion.

so if most of the one body is without mortal sin,can the whole body receive?

if not, are those who are separated from the body by sin obliged to take a different position than standing?

so God’s real presence in me is somehow of secondary consideration to maintaining “uniformity” to the posture of those in the pews?

 

[bellesjoy]

Our Bishop made the decision that we will kneel through the communion rite. (from the end of the Angus Dei on) It just feels correct, even though I know other postures are done elsewhere.

While standing might be the norm per the USCCB, no one can be refused communion for kneeling either. But then our Bishop is known for his allegiance to Rome not the USCCB.

 

[Figment713]

At my parish, everyone is standing when Communion starts. As people return to their pews, they either remain standing or kneel in prayer. One way or the other, NO ONE sits down until the Eucharist is back in the tabernacle! (Of course, this only applies to those who remain until dismissal…not those who “eat and run”…)

(Being a catachumen, you have lots of time to watch what it is that folks do.)

 

[MrS]

bellesjoy:

Our Bishop made the decision that we will kneel through the communion rite. (from the end of the Angus Dei on) It just feels correct, even though I know other postures are done elsewhere.

While standing might be the norm per the USCCB, no one can be refused communion for kneeling either. But then our Bishop is known for his allegiance to Rome not the USCCB.

Bishop Vasa, by any chance? He is wonderful!!

 

[Eireann]

msproule:

I will then sit when everybody else sits and stand for the final prayer.

Here we kneel for the final blessing, and most times the priest asks us to bow our heads and pray for God’s Blessing.

 

[John_Lilburne]

I believe everyone should stand after they say “Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed”.

They should not sit or kneel until the period of sacred silence after Communion. This might be when the Communion hymn ends. It might be when the distribution of Communion ends (and people stop saying “The body of Christ” and “Amen”).

I think people should have the individual preference to faithfully follow the liturgical books (in accordance with canon 846 of the Code of Canon Law).

According to the 2002 GIRM 42: “A common posture, to be observed by all participants, is a sign of the unity of the members of the Christian community gathered for the Sacred Liturgy: it both expresses and fosters the intention and spiritual attitude of the participants.”

According to the 2002 GIRM 43: “The faithful should stand … from the invitation, Orate, fraters (Pray, brethren), before the prayer over the offerings unitl the end of Mass, except at the places indicated below. … they may sit or kneel while the period of sacred silence after Communion is observed.”

In the USA the bishop determines whether people kneel after the Lamb of God. But as soon as one person stands to receive Communion all should stand (following the “common posture” instruction of GIRM 42).

When does the “period of sacred silence after Communion” begin? When does the GIRM indicate that people may kneel? If people are singing a communion hymn, that is clearly not “sacred silence”. If the priest is saying “The body of Christ” and people are responding “Amen” that is not sacred silence either.

So only when all have received Communion can the period of “sacred silence after Communion” begin.

In the case of a bishop’s stational Mass the requirement is for all to sit:

“166. When the bishop returns to the chair after the communion, he puts on the skullcap and, if need be, washes his hands. All are seated and a period of prayerful silence may follow, or a song of praise or a psalm may be sung.”

(Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, page 60).

 

[bellesjoy]

MrS:

Bishop Vasa, by any chance? He is wonderful!!

We are so blessed to have him as our Bishop!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

John Lilburne:

I think people should have the individual preference to faithfully follow the liturgical books (in accordance with canon 846 of the Code of Canon Law).

The 2002 General Instruction on the Roman Missal provides in paragraph 43 for the various postures of the people during the Mass. This universal liturgical law states that “the people should stand … from the prayer over the gifts to the end of the Mass, except at the places indicated later in this paragraph.” The indicated places are the Consecration, “when they kneel,” and** **during the period of reflection after Communion, when they may “kneel, stand or sit” (Congregation for Divine Worship, Notitiae 10, p.407).
Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Chairman of the Bishops Committee on the Liturgy, received the following clarification concerning the right interpretation of the “General Instruction of the Roman Missal” on the posture of the faithful from their own reception of Communion until the period of sacred silence after all Communions have been received (at which time they may sit or kneel as they prefer).

Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments*

*5 June 2003

Prot. n. 855/03/L

Dubium: In many places, the faithful are accustomed to kneeling or sitting in personal prayer upon returning to their places after having individually received Holy Communion during Mass. Is it the intention of the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia, to forbid this practice?*

Responsum: Negative, et ad mentem. The mens is that the prescription of the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, no. 43, is intended, on one hand, to ensure within broad limits a certain uniformity of posture within the congregation for the various parts of the celebration of the Holy Mass, and on the other, to not regulate posture rigidly in such a way that those who wish to kneel or sit would no longer be free [to do so].

Francis Cardinal Arinze
Prefect

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

John Lilburne:

According to the 2002 GIRM 43: “The faithful should stand … from the invitation, Orate, fraters (Pray, brethren), before the prayer over the offerings unitl the end of Mass, except at the places indicated below. … they may sit or kneel while the period of sacred silence after Communion is observed.”

With respect to the proper posture during the liturgy of Communion, the GIRM in No. 43 specifies some norms approved by the U.S. bishops. One norm says the faithful should “kneel after the Agnus Dei unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.” A few bishops have determined that the faithful should stand at this moment, and this practice is the norm within those dioceses.

Another phrase of the GIRM, No. 43, caused some controversy. It affirms that the faithful “may sit or kneel while the period of sacred silence after Communion is observed.”

Some liturgists, and even some bishops, interpreted this text to mean that nobody should kneel or sit until everybody had received Communion. The resulting debate led Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. bishops’ Liturgy Committee (BCL), to request an authentic interpretation from the Holy See on May 26, 2003. (below)

Having received this response, the BCL Newsletter commented: “In the implementation of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, therefore, posture should not be regulated so rigidly as to forbid individual communicants from kneeling or sitting when returning from having received Holy Communion” (p. 26).

July 2003 BCL Newsletter…

Clarification on Posture of the Faithful Following Individual Reception of Holy Communion

During recent months, the Secretariat for the Liturgy has received numerous inquiries concerning the proper posture of the faithful after each communicant has individually received Holy Communion at Mass.

Many Bishops have directed that the appropriate posture of the faithful during the distribution of Holy Communion is to stand. They have based this on the text of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), no. 431 which states that the people stand until the period of sacred silence following the reception of Holy Communion has begun. But when does this period of sacred silence begin? GIRM, no. 86 notes that “the singing [of the communion song] is continued for as long as the Sacrament is being administered to the faithful.” The period of sacred silence would seem to begin, therefore, once all have received Holy Communion; hence, the appropriate posture of the faithful during the distribution of Holy Communion is standing.

However, because of the widespread and longstanding practice of individuals returning to their places to kneel or sit in private prayer after having individually received Holy Communion, this provision has caused controversy in many dioceses.

In an effort to clarify the situation, Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., Chairman of the Committee on the Liturgy, submitted a dubium concerning this matter to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on May 26, 2003. On June 5, 2003, Cardinal George received the following response (Prot. n. 855/03/L) from Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments:

Dubium: In many places, the faithful are accustomed to kneeling or sitting in personal prayer upon returning to their places after having individually received Holy Communion during Mass. Is it the intention of the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia, to forbid this practice?

Responsum: Negative, et ad mentem. The mens is that the prescription of the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, no. 43, is intended, on the one hand, to ensure within broad limits a certain uniformity of posture within the congregation for the various parts of the celebration of Holy Mass, and on the other, to not regulate posture rigidly in such a way that those who wish to kneel or sit would no longer be free.

In the implementation of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, therefore, posture should not be regulated so rigidly as to forbid individual communicants from kneeling or sitting when returning from having received Holy Communion.

 

[bellesjoy]

from Br. Rich:
With respect to the proper posture during the liturgy of Communion, the GIRM in No. 43 specifies some norms approved by the U.S. bishops. One norm says the faithful should “kneel after the Agnus Dei unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.” A few bishops have determined that the faithful should stand at this moment, and this practice is the norm within those dioceses.

Thanks for the quote, Br. Rich, which confirms that it is up to each Bishop and thankfully he has kept us all in unison on our knees before the Blessed Sacrament.

 

[muledog]

bellesjoy:

Thanks for the quote, Br. Rich, which confirms that it is up to each Bishop and thankfully he has kept us all in unison on our knees before the Blessed Sacrament.

I’m not sure that Br. Rich’s quote suports your assumptions regarding the proper posture(s) after receiving communion.

Both the Dubium and the response of the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy both state that the people may sit, stand, or kneel - whichever is most appropriate for each individual, and that the liturgy is not to be so rigidly as to forbid the traditional practice of kneeling.