Deacon Jeff,
Thank you for explaining what seems to be most prudent.
I have been doing what you seem to recommend. I especially enjoy the wonder of Christ being substantially present at mass, and with nothing to impede that happening, I plan no formal protest or even formal complaint. I am not, however, settled on this issue, since there appear to be conflicts between what our parish does and what the Church teaches.
I just went to the USCCB website to see what our bishops teach us about this.
From them I got this:
"43. 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 Universal Prayer; and from the invitation, Orate, fratres (Pray, brethren), before the Prayer over the Offerings until the end of Mass, except at the places indicated here below.
The faithful should sit, on the other hand, during the readings before the Gospel and the Responsorial Psalm and for the Homily and during the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory; and, if appropriate, they may sit or kneel during the period of sacred silence after Communion.
In the Dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by ill health, or for reasons of lack of space, of the large number of people present, or for another reasonable cause. However, 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 (Lamb of God) unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.[53]
For the sake of uniformity in gestures and bodily postures during one and the same celebration, the faithful should follow the instructions which the Deacon, a lay minister, or the Priest gives, according to what is laid down in the Missal."
usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/general-instruction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-2.cfm
I have in fact been doing what tends to be done in my parish - what
almost everyone else is doing, namely sitting when we recite that prayer. This poses at least two conflicts that do not arise from me or my actions. The first is that our parish’s actions seem to be in contradiction of rules that the bishops teach. The second conflict is that
often there are visitors who stand briefly, then realize almost no on else is standing, and they then awkwardly sit down again.
Obviously some people are confused, and it appears they are understandably confused. My concern is largely for those in the congregation who do not yet know Christ will be substantially present, who are still learning this about the mass, who might not be Catholic or who are returning to active participation in the mass after years away. It seems not good that such people might be confused about this.
If you have the patience, could you please explain how the material I cited above from USCCB does not mean that we
should stand while reciting the prayer? I serve as an extraordinary minister of holy communion and as a lector, and sometimes people ask me about such things. How might I best respond? I’m especially concerned about how I might best explain why I am doing what the GIRM seems to say I should not do - namely sit during that prayer.
Thank you for your help!
