When to sit down after Communion

[Br.Rich_SFO]

That’s what I thought too! I even looked it up in the GIRM!

But lo and behold, it ain’t there! Where I got this from, I’m not sure… but I sure thought I was sure that it was in there!

It is a general custom, it is not in the GIRM. to kneel after returning, It is also understood not to be required. The general custom is to kneel until the tabernacle is closed.

 

[jeanne71350]

Most people in my parish kneel during Communion, and then return to sitting position when the Priest sits down. But I’ve heard (and it makes sense) that it is more proper to sit down after the Priest puts the Eucharist in the tabernacle.

Not that you have to stop kneeling then, but that since Christ has been removed from the altar (as it were) then that more relevant than when the Priest sits down a few seconds later.

Probably not a big deal, but does anyone here know for sure? Thanks

I was taught after the priest puts the Eucharist in the tabernacle. I have been to religion classes all my life.

 

[jeanne71350]

I was taught after the priest puts the Eucharist in the tabernacle. I have been to religion classes all my life.

 

[japhy]

Do you have an official document that endorses this “sole choice of the communicant”?

As far as I know there is no official statement on post-communion posture.

Yes there is a document that says that the posture of the faithful after returning from receiving Holy Communion is not to be dictated, it is their choice.

And here it is:Cardinal Francis George, chairman of the BCL, [submitted] a* dubium* (doubt, question) to the Holy See’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (CDW) on May 26, 2003:

Dubium: In many places, the faithful are accustomed to kneeling or sitting in personal prayer upon returning to their places after having individually received Holy Communion during Mass. Is it the intention of the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia, to forbid this practice?Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the CDW, responded to the question on June 5, 2003 (Prot. N. 855/03/L):Responsum: Negative, et ad mensum [No, for this reason]. The mens [reasoning] is that the prescription of the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, no. 43, is intended, on the one hand, to ensure within broad limits a certain uniformity of posture within the congregation for the various parts of the celebration of Holy Mass, and on the other, to not regulate posture rigidly in such a way that those who wish to kneel or sit would no longer be free.​

 

[Apryl]

It is a general custom, it is not in the GIRM. to kneel after returning, It is also understood not to be required. The general custom is to kneel until the tabernacle is closed.

Understood by whom? That’s the problem. So many who know what’s going on see things as ‘understood’, when this may be something that they know, but not others.

Heck, for years now, I UNDERSTOOD that you were to kneel until the tabernacle was closed… and you ‘understood’ that I knew it wasn’t required.

(Reason #82 why we need CAF!)

 

[zab]

Understood by whom? That’s the problem. So many who know what’s going on see things as ‘understood’, when this may be something that they know, but not others.

Heck, for years now, I UNDERSTOOD that you were to kneel until the tabernacle was closed… and you ‘understood’ that I knew it wasn’t required.

(Reason #82 why we need CAF!)

Yes, this is something that I just learned, that is, that it is acceptable to sit when coming back from Communion. It was the custom for the congregation to kneel. Yet we know that the priest sits after distributing Communion.

**japhy"s ** link is an indication of when this topic was thoroughly discussed by the bishops. It was when we were being told to remain standing after the Agnus Dei and to continue to stand after coming back from Communion until the entire congregation had received. Before we even began to implement the standing, we were told that coming back from Communion, we could continue to kneel, sit or stand if we wanted. Just about everone kneels unless they have some physical ailment that makes it difficult.
NOTE: Not every diocese has given the direction to remain standing after the Agnus Dei.

 

[javd6]

Most people in my parish kneel during Communion, and then return to sitting position when the Priest sits down. But I’ve heard (and it makes sense) that it is more proper to sit down after the Priest puts the Eucharist in the tabernacle.

Not that you have to stop kneeling then, but that since Christ has been removed from the altar (as it were) then that more relevant than when the Priest sits down a few seconds later.

Probably not a big deal, but does anyone here know for sure? Thanks

 

[javd6]

The time that you should be kneeling is when Jesus is exposed.
I help teach the RCIA program. Cathlolic for Adults. As long as Jesus is out you should be kneeling or standing.
Hope that helps.
Janet

 

[zab]

The time that you should be kneeling is when Jesus is exposed.
I help teach the RCIA program. Cathlolic for Adults. As long as Jesus is out you should be kneeling or standing.
Hope that helps.
Janet

When I have an hour of adoration when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, I do not kneel or stand the entire time. Sometimes I sit and read.
See also: japhy’s post (above) with quotes from the Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments

 

[osmond]

Do you have an official document that endorses this “sole choice of the communicant”?

It seems contrary to parts of the GIRM, for example:

“43. … 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.”

(My bold text.)

View to uniformity or not “the posture after communion is the sole choice of the communicant and it begins when they return to their pews.” Nothing in the GIRM suggests otherwise. Further:

adoremus.org/Kneeling-CDW-response03.html

 

[osmond]

It is a general custom, it is not in the GIRM. to kneel after returning, It is also understood not to be required. The general custom is to kneel until the tabernacle is closed.

It certainly isn’t a “general custom” around here.

 

[osmond]

It’s obvious from the OP that they are kneeling after returning from Holy Communion. A person may sit upon returning, but then they would not have to determine when to sit since they are already sitting.

What? You said this:

You may sit when you are done praying or reflecting any time after the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the tabernacle and the tabernacle is closed.

And it’s not accurate in the context it was written.

 

[zab]

It certainly isn’t a “general custom” around here.

What is the custom where you attend Mass?

 

[osmond]

What is the custom where you attend Mass?

85% stand, 10% kneel, 5% sit? Just my best guess.

 

[FrDavid96]

Most people in my parish kneel during Communion, and then return to sitting position when the Priest sits down. But I’ve heard (and it makes sense) that it is more proper to sit down after the Priest puts the Eucharist in the tabernacle.

Not that you have to stop kneeling then, but that since Christ has been removed from the altar (as it were) then that more relevant than when the Priest sits down a few seconds later.

Probably not a big deal, but does anyone here know for sure? Thanks

In the GIRM itself, either sitting or kneeling is the posture.

At the same time, in purely spiritual terms, if the tabernacle is open, people should be kneeling if they are able. So, while there’s nothing which says you must be kneeling if the tabernacle is open, respect for the Eucharist says that kneeling is the preferred posture.

 

[zab]

85% stand, 10% kneel, 5% sit? Just my best guess.

It was just a few years ago that our Archbishop sent a letter to all of the pastors in the archdiocese instructing them to tell us that one of the changes that was being implemented at that time was that we were to remain standing after the Agnus Dei and to continue to stand when coming back from Communion until after everyone had received Communion. He emphasized the need for us to be aware of the communal aspect of Communion. However, before it was implemented, word came that we could kneel or sit when coming back from Communion if we wanted to and that was up to us what we wanted to do. ( See the link that japhy provided where the bishops discuss this issue.)

I’m told that our parish is one of a few that continues to kneel coming back from Communion. Most people in our parish either want to remain kneeling or go along with those that do. However, most of us do as the Archbishop has requested- to remain standing after the Agnus Dei. There are a few people who kneel and that is fine.

 

[A2SciTeach]

What about when the priest does not return to his chair to sit, but he himself turns to the closed tabernacle and kneels, along with the deacon and altar boys - at that point everyone is kneeling, then everyone stands when the priest stands. It would seem especially awkward to be sitting/standing if the priest himself is kneeling. Should he not do that - are his instructions to sit in his chair?

 

[Reformed_Rob]

wow, this brought up a lot of discussion. I feel good about switching from a kneeling posture to sitting at either point now, and since pretty much everyone sits after the priest sits, then that is probably what I will do, out of respect for unity.

But if I’m in a parish that sits after the Eucharist is put away, then that’s what I’ll do when I’m there.

Thanks for all the discussion