Standing before the washing of hands?

[AMDGtoo]

At our parish, before the U.S Amendments to the 2002 GIRM were approved, we were instructed to stand then. We were also given a piece of paper about the coming changes that indicated a change of posture that indicated “this is a little earlier than when we stood before, but it is consistent with the fact that we stand for other prayers of the Mass that we say in common, such as the Penitnential Rite at the beginning of Mass and the Our Father.” And so like good little puppets our parish stood.

Well, months later, on a particular Feast Day, I had to go to another parish in the same diocese. There were people from different parishes and when we came to the washing of the hands, we all looked like popcorn–stand up, sit down, stand up again, no–sit down again. It was very distracting to say the least. I looked at our parish’s missal for the rubrics, and it plainly said that we were to remain kneeling until after the hand washing (until the priest invites us to pray). I checked other parishes in the same diocese, they all stood after the hand washing (so much for uniformity.) One sacristan told me that we stand too early. I checked other missals, and EWTN: Standing should be done after the hand washing. Finally one place on the internet said that “certain people” think that the new translation says that we stand because the hand washing introduces the Eucharist Prayer (and we traditionally don’t change postures during the prayer) but this awaits clarification.

So, has there been a clarification?

 

[japhy]

I checked other missals, and EWTN: Standing should be done after the hand washing. Finally one place on the internet said that “certain people” think that the new translation says that we stand because the hand washing introduces the Eucharist Prayer (and we traditionally don’t change postures during the prayer) but this awaits clarification.

The 2002 GIRM w/ US adaptations says it quite plainly (n. 43):
The faithful should stand … 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 Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory is taking place…
So then, we sit after the Prayer of the Faithful ends, and we do not stand again until the priest says “Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice…” Case CLOSED.

 

[bpbasilphx]

**(so much for uniformity.) **

**Is uniformity in such small things really necessary?

Speaking as an Easterner with blood-pressure problems and gout, I see no reason for not allowing people to stand, sit, or kneel whenever as devotion prompts and energy permits.**