Priest Sits Down During Mass

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Priest Sits Down During Mass

I don’t know how common this is but I noticed that during a weekday Mass, after the Homily or sermon, the priest walks from the left side of the Altar where the lecturn is, to the right side where there are chairs and sits down. He sits for about 30 seconds, then gets up and walks to the Altar, and continues the Mass.

Why is this done?
 
After giving the homily, the priest will sit in his chair for a period of time so that we may meditate on his words. I appreciate this time, because it gives me a chance to file away in my memory the point of what he said.
 
He’s allowing for a period of reflection, before starting the Liturgy of the Eucharist. A short period of silence after the homily is called for in the rubrics.
 
It could be because there is supposed to be a period of sacred silence between the readings as well as after the homily. If he just stood at the podium for 30 seconds, it might look as if he was woolgathering, or confused. The way you’re describing it, he makes it distinctly clear that the homily is over by walking away. He sits down (joining the congregation which is likewise seated), remains for that period in silence, and then as distinctly gets up and ‘continues’ with the Mass.

That would be my educated guess in the matter.
 
There is nothing wrong with this practice. In fact, it is called sacred silence. There should be silence after the homily and after Holy Communion. In fact, Pope Benedict called for this in Sacramentum Caritatis:
Furthermore, the precious time of thanksgiving after communion should not be neglected: besides the singing of an appropriate hymn, it can also be most helpful to remain recollected in silence. (152)
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Even though he doesn’t mention silence at the end of the homily, he leads by example because after he finishes speaking, there is a period of silence.
 
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