Sitting during Consecration?

[Madia]

Does anyone know where I can find information that says it is not licit for the priest to have the entire congregation sit during the Consecration?

 

[urquhart]

From the General Instruction on the Roman Missal, published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops:

"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 Prayer of the Faithful; from the invitation, Orate, fraters (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."

usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter2.shtml#sect2

 

[Madia]

“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.”

Here’s the situation. My local parish Church is undergoing reconstruction so Mass is held in the gym. Originally, people were standing instead of kneeling. Later, the priest had everyone sit. Is it licit to sit in such a situation or should the congregation be standing during the Consecration? I don’t feel comfortable sitting during the Consecration but I haven’t found any solid evidence that I can point to to show that the proper position would be to stand instead of sit.

 

[puzzleannie]

anyone physically unable to stand or kneel at the appropriate part of the Mass is permitted to sit at any time. Everyone else should be either sitting, standing or kneeling according to the posture presribed by the GIRM. In an unusual situation such as you describe, when the chairs are placed so kneeling becomes nearly impossible and would discommode your neighbors, you may obey the priest’s directives. If he directs people to sit, and many remain standing, that may be technically right, but discommodes those seated behind you. If there is disobedience in this case it rests on the priest’s head, not yours.

I don’t kneel unless there is a way I can haul myself up afterward, as I can’t stand on my own.