When to Sit Before Communion?

[David2010]

We have two priests at our church and they alternate between masses.

One priest blesses the bread and wine before eating it and drinking it, and we are standing at this time. Then he gives parishioners a little nod of his head and we sit down while he breaks the host and distributes the hosts into the other bowls to hand out to the Eucharistic Ministers. When our turn comes to go to communion, we stand up, join the line, receive communion, etc. and return to our seats.

However, when the other priest says mass, he does not give the little nod of his head to parishioners, letting them know they can sit down while he does the additional breaking and distribution of the hosts. So parishioners remain standing until he actually hands the bowls to the Eucharistic Ministers. Then parishioners sit down to wait their turn to join the line to receive communion.

My question: is there a formal rule for when parishioners can sit down after the priest has eaten his portion of the host and drunk his wine? Should parishioners remain standing while he breaks the host into further pieces, distributes the additional bowls of hosts to the Eucharistic Ministers, give them all a sip of the wine, etc.? At what point is it proper to sit down?

 

[babochka]

I believe, in the Roman Rite, the people are to kneel after the Agnus Dei until they leave their pews for Communion, unless the Bishop has determined otherwise. In my limited experience with parishes in Dioceses that do not kneel, the people generally continue to stand until it is time to receive Communion. I’ve never seen sitting at this time.

 

[englishredrose]

that one… you have my heartfelt feelings.

Every time any one of us Anglicans tries to ask our priests on when to sit and when to stand etc we get the same answer from every single priest that I have heard over 25 years. It don’t matter really. None of the priests seem to realise it matters to the congregation as they sit and stand and want to do it right but for us there isn’t really a right or wrong. You do what you do it seems for us. I know I sit and stand in different places in the choir to when I am serving on the Altar, and it all gets very complicated when I do attend a low mass and I don’t know where I am for standing and sitting for some parts. But Anglican Priests at least all say the same thing about it don’t really matter because for us there isn’t any set ruling on it.

 

[Daizies]

I believe the rule in Canada is to remain standing after the Agnus Dei until leaving the pews for Communion. I remember when the new translation came out and for several Sundays we were instructed not just on the new words, but also when to stand, sit and kneel (I attend at a Cathedral, so it was under the Archbishop’s directions). I’m just going by memory though, I don’t know where to look to find a document on it.

 

[revert_jen]

My question: is there a formal rule for when parishioners can sit down after the priest has eaten his portion of the host and drunk his wine? Should parishioners remain standing while he breaks the host into further pieces, distributes the additional bowls of hosts to the Eucharistic Ministers, give them all a sip of the wine, etc.? At what point is it proper to sit down?

You might want to disregard any answers from Americans to this question, because the norm in the US is to kneel (for which I am profoundly grateful). I believe the norms in Canada are different.

My understanding is that this is one of those questions where there isn’t a specific instruction in the standard Missal, so it would be up to the bishops’ conferences fo different countries or areas. You might want to try poking around this site for the answer: cccb.ca/site/

–Jen

 

[datritle]

in my church we kneel until the first row of congregants gets up to receive, at which point 99.5% of people sit until they go up in line.

**i have ALWAYS wondered what is correct, though! good question.

 

[andy92]

old.usccb.org/romanmissal/order-of-mass.pdf

Bassically

(Sit)
Prayers of Faithful
collection and Preparation of the Gifts
(stand)
Orates Frates (Pray Brothers and Sisters)
(kneel)
Sanctus (Holy,Holy,Holy)
Epiclese
Concecration
(stand)
Our Father
Sign of Peace
(kneel)
Aguns Dei (Lamb of God)
distribution to priests
Lord I am not worth to receive You
distribution to Extraordinary Ministers
(stand from kneeling as leaving pew)
distribution to communicants

Now the USCCB doesn’t have a required posture after communion but it is recommended for kneeling prayer until the host is consumed and a personal prayer is completed.

Of course Canon law provides for if a member is unable to kneel(at anytime), they are to stand. If standing would cause to much distraction and prohibit visibility of parishioners behind said person they he/she may sit.

Of course since you live in Canada there may be some small variations from the US form but in general the Universal Church is celebrated the same way and all variants are approved by the Vatican.
I hope this helps

 

[LisaB]

You shouldn’t sit or stand during the consecration - your should kneel. This is the requirement of the Universal Church. Here is some info from EWTN website:

"As already mentioned, the correct posture is kneeling. According to universal norms, this means from the epiclesis (when the priest outstretches both hands over the chalice) to the memorial acclamation. This is the minimum requirement.

	In some countries the faithful kneel during the whole Eucharistic Prayer  		or a substantial part of it in virtue of particular law or legitimate  		custom.
	
	Standing during the consecration is permitted only for exceptional  		circumstances, such as when there is no space to kneel.
	
	Sitting is never foreseen during the consecration except for the  		physically impaired."