Standing during the Eucharistic Prayer?

[MN19]

At my new parish that I started attending a little over a month ago, something that surprised me was that the congregation stood during the entire Eucharistic Prayer. It felt very odd to me because every other church I’ve been to has everyone kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer. Does this happen at any of the churches that the rest of you attend, and is there a reason why they would do it this way? Does the Catholic Church allow this? It just caught me off-guard since I’m used to kneeling, and I thought kneeling was considered more reverent in this particular situation.

 

[Vico]

At my new parish that I started attending a little over a month ago, something that surprised me was that the congregation stood during the entire Eucharistic Prayer. It felt very odd to me because every other church I’ve been to has everyone kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer. Does this happen at any of the churches that the rest of you attend, and is there a reason why they would do it this way? Does the Catholic Church allow this? It just caught me off-guard since I’m used to kneeling, and I thought kneeling was considered more reverent in this particular situation.

GIRM 43
… 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.
This is the order of some key points in the Eucharistic Prayer, all kneeling, unless there is a reason not to in which case bowing when the priest genuflects is the posture.

1. Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy…) …
2. Epiclesis (Father, may the Holy Spirit…) …
3. Take this … eat it. …Which will be given up for you. (genuflect)
4. Take this … drink from it. … Do this in memory of me. (genuflect)
5. Mysterium Fidei (Let us proclaim the Mystery of Faith…) …
6. End of doxology (Through Him, with Him, in Him…)

For most Byzantine eastern Catholics standing is the norm during the Anaphora.

 

[bardegaulois]

The rubrics regarding when one should kneel during Mass are very precise. Perhaps a conversation with the pastor of this parish is in order. If he is not responsive, a letter, detailing only facts and not opinions, to the chancery official charged with liturgy might help you make more progress.

 

[Crusaderbear]

We don’t have kneelers. It’s stand or sit. Apparently it was a cost cutting measure in the late 90’s.

 

[Corki]

We don’t have kneelers. It’s stand or sit. Apparently it was a cost cutting measure in the late 90’s.

We don’t have kneelers either. Everyone who doesn’t have heath issues (such as bad knees) or other considerations (holding infants) sits, kneels and stands according to the GIRM.

 

[mdgspencer]

If I went to such a parish, I would sit in the back and kneel anyways.

 

[ProVobis]

We don’t have kneelers. It’s stand or sit. Apparently it was a cost cutting measure in the late 90’s.

Perhaps for the new churches but at least one church I know ripped and tossed out its kneelers. Hardly a cost-cutting move for them.

 

[phil19034]

If I’m not mistaken, the norm of the Roman Rite (worldwide) is to do what the Deacon is doing. When the Deacon kneels, you kneel. When the Deacon stands, you stand.

But then Bishops conferences (like the US) can have more kneeling parts.

Question to the OP, is this parish diocesan or a religious order? Some Religious order groups like to do what their brother do in other nations.

God bless!