When to Kneel & Stand During Mass?

[Maitland]

Hi,

I just moved from the Archdiocese of Vancouver (British Columbia, Canda) to the Archdiocese of Portland as a student. Some of the practices in the Archdiocese of Portland are unheard of in Canada. We always kneel after the Sanctus, and after the Agnus Dei. Also, I’ve noticed that the entire congregation holds hands during the “Our Father.” This makes me feel extremely awkward because that isn’t a practice (some families might hold hands in Canada) that is normal where I’m from. Also, I’ve noticed that parishioners don’t genuflect when entering the church pews to take their seat and when leaving the church pews. This is something that is absolutely enforced where I’m from.

Could someone please provide me more information as to why the practice is to stand during the communion rite and why people hold hands during the “Our Father?” Also, how to deal with these differences?

Thanks.

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

When to kneel is a bit different in different parts of the world. According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM):

1. 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.

Many parts of the world only kneel from the epiclesis to the mystery of faith. In the USA the liturgical norm is to kneel from the end of the sanctus to the great amen and then again after the lamb of God. However, the local bishop can decide to eliminate kneeling after the lamb of God.

Sacrosanctum Concilium #22 states “therefore no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority.”
Holding hands during the Our Father is not a directed posture of the Mass. Therefore it should not be required of anyone. Obviously if a couple or a family choose to do this among themselves its not the end of the world, but no one should be required or made to feel awkward for not participating in something that the liturgy does not call for.

Genuflecting when entering or leaving a pew or when crossing the tabernacle is standard Catholic norm throughout the world (GIRM 274). I’m not exactly sure how the priest could enforce it other than leading by example and occasionally mentioning/preaching it.