MERGED: Standing From The Peace Of Christ Until Everybody Has Received Holy Communion. Why?

[centurionguard]

Just want to say I loved all the changes in the New Reformed Liturgy in the New Roman Missal at Sunday’s Mass this morning (First Sunday of Advent).

We Kneeled for the Consecration as usual. Yet from the exchange of the Peace of Christ until all 800 plus of the congregation had finished receiving the Blessed Sacrament we were instructed to stand in unison solidarity. No explanation was given except that has been stated. People in the Congregation who received the Blessed Sacrament returning to their pews were not allowed to kneel and pray in adoration until all had received.

Personally; I have no problem standing in solidarity. However; what symbolic profound sense of liturgical spirituality is embraced by not letting communicants of the Blessed Sacrament from kneeling in adoration and thanks to Jesus after they have received and returned to their pews?

Instead we are told to stand the entire time while everybody has received. Only after Everybody has received Holy Communion are we allowed to reflect in a more humble prone posture.

Is this the same for American Catholics?

 

[JGMendes4049]

In the dioceses of the United States of America, the faithful kneel from the Sanctus to the Amen after the Doxology (Per ipsum). Then, they stand until the Agnus Dei. They then kneel unless the diocesan bishop determines otherwise. From after the Domine non sum dignus to the Prayer after Communion, the posture is up to the individual person. They stand for the Prayer after Communion and the Concluding Rites.

 

[JM3]

GIRM

1. The faithful should stand from the beginning of the Entrance chant, or while the priest approaches the altar, until the end of the collect; for the Alleluia chant before the Gospel; while the Gospel itself is proclaimed; during the Profession of Faith and the Prayer of the Faithful; from the invitation, Orate, fratres (Pray, brethren), before the prayer over the offerings until the end of Mass, except at the places indicated below.

They should, however, sit while the readings before the Gospel and the responsorial Psalm are proclaimed and for the homily and while the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory is taking place; and, as circumstances allow, they may sit or kneel while the period of sacred silence after Communion is observed.

In the dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the large number of people present, or some other good reason. Those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the priest genuflects after the consecration. The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei unless the diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.[53]

With a view to a uniformity in gestures and postures during one and the same celebration, the faithful should follow the directions which the deacon, lay minister, or priest gives according to whatever is indicated in the Missal.

 

[centurionguard]

In the dioceses of the United States of America, the faithful kneel from the Sanctus to the Amen after the Doxology (Per ipsum). Then, they stand until the Agnus Dei. They then kneel unless the diocesan bishop determines otherwise. From after the Domine non sum dignus to the Prayer after Communion, the posture is up to the individual person. They stand for the Prayer after Communion and the Concluding Rites.

So would it be fair to assume by what your stating no changes in Posture has been affected with the New Reformed Liturgy in the Roman Missal as of today (First Sunday of Advent) amongst Catholics in the United States?

 

[JM3]

New Reformed Liturgy

This is not correct. It is a new translation, not a new liturgy.

 

[mburn16]

In my old parish, which had pews, we would kneel after communion, until the tabernacle was closed. It was explained to me (though a child at the time - so it may or may not be accurate) that it was a humble gesture for Christ, who was exposed in the real presence.

In my current parish, which lacks pews, we sit after communion, and then remain sitting until the final blessing.

 

[JReducation]

Two points and I’m out of here.

1. The liturgy has not been reformed. It has been re-translated. That would be a better term. They simply went back to the Latin and translated it again.
2. After receiving Holy Communion, the faithful are to be left alone. They can kneel, sit, stand, lay down or adopt any posture that is of their choosing. This is their time with Christ. This was clearly stated by Cardinal Arinze.

OK. I’m gone.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF :christmastree1:

 

[Tigg]

We were instructed by our bishop in our little corner of the world, effective this Sunday, we must kneel directly after the Agnus Dei and continue kneeling until we get up to go to Communion. (We used to stand, and I must say, this is the only diocese I’d seen do that.)

 

[centurionguard]

Two points and I’m out of here.

1. The liturgy has not been reformed. It has been re-translated. That would be a better term. They simply went back to the Latin and translated it again.
2. After receiving Holy Communion, the faithful are to be left alone. They can kneel, sit, stand, lay down or adopt any posture that is of their choosing. This is their time with Christ. This was clearly stated by Cardinal Arinze.

OK. I’m gone.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF :christmas tree 1:

My apologies it was an error on my part on a play of words. Agreed; the Novus Ordo has been Re-Translated as you say.

1. After receiving Holy Communion, the faithful are to be left alone. They can kneel, sit, stand, lay down or adopt any posture that is of their choosing. This is their time with Christ. This was clearly stated by Cardinal Arinze

Also totally Agree. :thumbs up:

Then I suppose (just guessing here) that the local Bishop has leniency to adapt liturgical laws on Posture according to local customs that can be changed at the discretion of the local bishop himself?

No matter what country, diocese you go to in the Novus Ordo Mass there never seems to be a standard position on postures at Mass. Its always confusing at best.

 

[Waiting]

In the dioceses of the United States of America, the faithful kneel from the Sanctus to the Amen after the Doxology (Per ipsum). Then, they stand until the Agnus Dei. They then kneel unless the diocesan bishop determines otherwise. From after the Domine non sum dignus to the Prayer after Communion, the posture is up to the individual person. They stand for the Prayer after Communion and the Concluding Rites.

Our bishop has decreed that everyone stand after the Doxology until everyone has received Communion. That goes against my conscience. When the Host is elevated for adoration, I kneel. After receiving Holy Communion, I kneel again. I hope the Lord isn’t counting this as an act of disobedience against the bishop’s directive. Other dioceses haven’t changed to this idea of standing to show reverence.

 

[Tigg]

Our bishop has decreed that everyone stand after the Doxology until everyone has received Communion. **That goes against my conscience. ** When the Host is elevated for adoration, I kneel. After receiving Holy Communion, I kneel again. I hope the Lord isn’t counting this as an act of disobedience against the bishop’s directive. Other dioceses haven’t changed to this idea of standing to show reverence.

Interesting comment and one I can somewhat relate to. We were once told, long ago, (but not by the bishop) that when the Host is elevated, we must stare at it until it is placed upon the altar. I look up to acknowledge my God and immediately down to acknowledge my sinfulness. This is ingrained in me at the deepest level - to not do so would certainly be disrespectful - almost arrogance on my part.

 

[Loboto-Me]

Our Calgary Bishop also implemented the standing from communion until everyone was finished as well.
I also loved every bit of the liturgy but felt hollow because we had to stand. Our Deacon told us that standing was showing us as a community, and that communion means unity… something like that anyway. I usually use the time after communion to reflect and pray. It’s a true personal sense of being able to speak to Him interiorly and a sense of awe that He’s physically inside of me and physically outside of me being given to others at the same time… making us all One in Him and with Him.
Unfortunately, today, I felt none of that because we were instructed to sing the hymn (I tried to make it into a prayer without success) and when everyone had received, we were told to kneel. It seems that the Bishop figures that kneeling afterwards would allow us to pray and reflect, yet, for me, the moment had passed .
When I told my husband that I felt that I was just going through the motions, and felt I had missed out of a very important part of my worship, he said “Just give it time”. All I can say is I hope he’s right. I WILL obey my Bishop (until he asks us to clap and sway )

 

[1ke]

Please note the OP is in Canada, not the US.

In Canada, the Bishops have decided that the faithful will stand until all receive Communion. This was discussed here ad nauseum just a week or so ago.

It has nothing to do with the new translation. It is a separate legislation on the part of the Candian Bishops, that takes effect at the same time as the translation.

And, yes, the Bishops have the authority to do so.

 

[centurionguard]

Please note the OP is in Canada, not the US.

In Canada, the Bishops have decided that the faithful will stand until all receive Communion. This was discussed here ad nauseum just a week or so ago.

It has nothing to do with the new translation. It is a separate legislation on the part of the Candian Bishops, that takes effect at the same time as the translation.

And, yes, the Bishops have the authority to do so.

I am under obedience of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on this legislated matter. So I will obey. It doesn’t mean I have to like it. And somehow I don’t think it fits in with what Cardinal Arinze says in what he speaks about Postures in the Liturgy.
Regardless though I will be obedient to the church on this matter.

Just a personal opinion, It would seem the USCCB has taken a better approach as usual.
We were told today we stand in solidarity for the Risen Christ.
Nothing was said about Jesus humbled on the Altar for our sake.

 

[Loboto-Me]

I am under obedience of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on this legislated matter. So I will obey. It doesn’t mean I have to like it. And somehow I don’t think it fits in with what Cardinal Arinze says in what he speaks about Postures in the Liturgy.
Regardless though I will be obedient to the church on this matter.

Just a personal opinion, It would seem the USCCB has taken a better approach as usual.
We were told today we stand in solidarity for the Risen Christ.
Nothing was said about Jesus humbled on the Altar for our sake.

As close to a “like” button as we have here.

 

[grasscutter]

We were instructed by our bishop in our little corner of the world, effective this Sunday, we must kneel directly after the Agnus Dei and continue kneeling until we get up to go to Communion. (We used to stand, and I must say, this is the only diocese I’d seen do that.)

Lucky you! At my old parish we did that, but here where I moved to it is customary to stand.

We also have been instructed to stand after receiving Communion until the hosts have been placed back in the tabernacle. I cheated a little by kneeling for a quick prayer directly after and then standing with everyone else. I will probably continue doing this.

 

[Rand_Al_Thor]

Unfortunately, in the Portland Archdiocese, they decided to have us stand after the great Amen years ago. I have never understood why that option to change even came about, since the host is still on the altar. One parish still kneels after the Agnus Dei, but they are run by the Dominicans and allowed to do that if their superior decrees it, even if the rest of the diocese stands per the bishop’s instructions.

 

[Tigg]

Why did the attitude change so much when previously kneeling gave reverence to the Real Presence and has always thought to be the ultimate submission and surrender to Christ. imho, kneeling identifies us as Catholics - not Protestants.

No bodily posture so clearly expresses the soul’s interior reverence before God as the act of kneeling. ~ Bshp John Keating ~ (Arlington, VA)

 

[mkamoski1]

All – Please help. The Church that I went to on 2011-Nov-27-Su also had an announcement at the beginning of Mass, stating that after receiving Communion, everyone should return to their seats and stand until the Host is put away. It was not presented as the Bishop’s order. This seemed odd. There was nothing about this in the Roman Missal printed copy in the pew-- if fact it said sitting or kneeling is OK but did not mention standing. There was nothing about this in the new-translation-cheat-sheet-card in the pew. I heard nothing about this on all the lead-up to the new translation discussion on Catholic radio etc. So, what gives? Am I reading this thread correctly wherein some seem to suggest that it is up to the local Bishop? Is this not one of those ad-hoc modifications that the new translation was suppose to limit? Ug. Of course, I simply returned to the pew, kneeled, and prayed with my head down and eyes closed. My goodness, it is the Real Presence-- the very point of Communion with Him, Jesus Christ, who is all. What better time to kneel? If ever there was a time for humility, this MUST be it, no? If you have any hints, suggestions, or strategy for handling a “question” if one asks me? Also, should this be reported to someone? Thanks. Yours in Christ, – Mark Kamoski

 

[1ke]

All – Please help. The Church that I went to on 2011-Nov-27-Su also had an announcement at the beginning of Mass, stating that after receiving Communion, everyone should return to their seats and stand until the Host is put away. It was not presented as the Bishop’s order. This seemed odd. There was nothing about this in the Roman Missal printed copy in the pew-- if fact it said sitting or kneeling is OK but did not mention standing. There was nothing about this in the new-translation-cheat-sheet-card in the pew. I heard nothing about this on all the lead-up to the new translation discussion on Catholic radio etc. So, what gives? Am I reading this thread correctly wherein some seem to suggest that it is up to the local Bishop? Is this not one of those ad-hoc modifications that the new translation was suppose to limit? Ug. Of course, I simply returned to the pew, kneeled, and prayed with my head down and eyes closed. My goodness, it is the Real Presence-- the very point of Communion with Him, Jesus Christ, who is all. What better time to kneel? If ever there was a time for humility, this MUST be it, no? If you have any hints, suggestions, or strategy for handling a “question” if one asks me? Also, should this be reported to someone? Thanks. Yours in Christ, – Mark Kamoski

What country are you in?