When to sit; when to leave

[DanteAlighieri]

I was once told that, after the Eucharist, it is appropriate to kneel until the tabernacle has been closed (with the Sacrament inside it, of course). Yet many people kneel until the priest sits in his chair. Which is correct? Even if I’m right, is the principle of “When in Rome” applicable here?

Also, my understanding is that one may leave Mass after the benediction (“Go in peace…”). Am I mistaken?

Peace,
Dante

 

[iamscifimike]

The GIRM doesn’t reveal too much for you. I believe these are the relevant sections.

usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml

1. When the distribution of Communion is finished, as circumstances suggest, the priest and faithful spend some time praying privately. If desired, a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may also be sung by the entire congregation.

1. To bring to completion the prayer of the People of God, and also to conclude the entire Communion Rite, the priest says the Prayer after Communion, in which he prays for the fruits of the mystery just celebrated.

In the Mass only one prayer after Communion is said, which ends with a shorter conclusion; that is,

If the prayer is directed to the Father: Per Christum Dominum nostrum;

If it is directed to the Father, but the Son is mentioned at the end: Qui vivit et regnat in saecula saeculorum;

If it is directed to the Son: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum.
The people make the prayer their own by the acclamation, Amen.

D. THE CONCLUDING RITES

1. The concluding rites consist of

Brief announcements, if they are necessary;

The priest’s greeting and blessing, which on certain days and occasions is enriched and expressed in the prayer over the People or another more solemn formula;

The dismissal of the people by the deacon or the priest, so that each may go out to do good works, praising and blessing God;

The kissing of the altar by the priest and the deacon, followed by a profound bow to the altar by the priest, the deacon, and the other ministers.

This doesn’t get too specific, so I would guess parish norms dictate much of the procedures. As far as the leaving I can see an interpretation that the honor paid to the altar as the priests/deacons/servers leave is done in the worship of God. Presence of the faithful seems a matter of respect, not necessity.

Hope this helps, God Bless All,
Michael

 

[hilde_the_dog]

We were instructed by our pastor to sit from kneeling after the celebrant sits.

 

[AngelRose81]

In our parish about half sit once the altar is cleared and the rest of us continue to kneel until Father stands up to say the prayer. I think it is probably up to individual discrescion (sp?).

 

[rjmporter]

According to what I understand:

The GIRM does not dictate the posture of the faithful during this period. It does, however, indicate that unity of posture should be maintained whenever possible.

Since this is not explicit in the instructions to the Mass from Rome, and since the bishop is the chief liturgist of his local church, the bishop MAY dictate a posture for this part of the Mass. Often, the bishop delegates this decision to the local pastor. We have a long tradition, in the US, of kneeling from the Agnus Dei until the prayer after communion (for which we must stand). This comes from a MODIFICATION to the previous GIRM approved by the Holy See and the Catholic Bishops of the US.

Many bishops, however, having recently been given this authority by the new GIRM and having passed no approved modification of the new GIRM in this respect, have modified the posture for this period to that of standing.

Of course, my charismatic Catholic friend says: You should do what ever the Holy Spirit is leading you to do. Although, how that could be to disobey my bishop or pastor, I am unsure.

Pax,

RJ

 

[acadian]

On Sunday Masses, our parish sits when the priest sits.

For Daily Masses, it’s a little different. Our former pastor would not sit after Communion. He would clear up the altar (for lack of better terminology) and then stand for a few minutes in prayer. We would continue to kneel. Then he would say “let us pray” which was our signal to stand.

Our new pastor sits after he has cleared the altar. Some people would then sit, and some people would continue to kneel. This morning, it seemed that everyone continued to kneel. I, for one, have my eyes closed and head bowed, rather than watching the celebrant.

As for when you CAN leave. I guess you can leave anytime. I see people head straight to the door after communion. I think it is respectful, though, to wait until the celebrant has exited.

 

[Philothea53]

According to what I understand:

The GIRM does not dictate the posture of the faithful during this period. It does, however, indicate that unity of posture should be maintained whenever possible.

Since this is not explicit in the instructions to the Mass from Rome, and since the bishop is the chief liturgist of his local church, the bishop MAY dictate a posture for this part of the Mass. Often, the bishop delegates this decision to the local pastor. We have a long tradition, in the US, of kneeling from the Agnus Dei until the prayer after communion (for which we must stand). This comes from a MODIFICATION to the previous GIRM approved by the Holy See and the Catholic Bishops of the US.

Many bishops, however, having recently been given this authority by the new GIRM and having passed no approved modification of the new GIRM in this respect, have modified the posture for this period to that of standing.

Of course, my charismatic Catholic friend says: You should do what ever the Holy Spirit is leading you to do. Although, how that could be to disobey my bishop or pastor, I am unsure.

Pax,

RJ

I just asked one of our Priests this very question the other day. I used to sit when the Tabernacle door was closed. Since the Priests are now purifying the vessels, in almost full view of the congregation, I was remaining kneeling until he was done and walked back to his chair, at which time he asked us to stand for prayer. I felt this was the right way because as long as he was purifying the vessels, Jesus was still present. BUT, wise man that he is, he reminded me that because I had just received the Holy Eucharist, I am a ‘personal tabernacle.’ This is my time and whatever way I choose to pray is okay. If I am better able to interiorize in a kneeling position or by sitting - my posture is not determined by rubric.

 

[Sina]

Personally I thought you knelt in prayer and sat back when you were done your prayers? So sometimes I sit up while people are still receiving and other times my prayers are lengthy and I sit up when I hear the priest.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

If you are going to sit, you should wait at least until the sacrament has been reposed in the tabernacle. That is because it is not proper to sit in the presence of the exposed Eucharist. After that point, feel free to follow the lead of those around you.

It is important to note, though, that while the bishop may regulate posture at certain points in the Mass, he does not have control over your posture after communion (a point which Rome has clarified). So from the time you receive until the closing prayer, you are free to stand, sit, or kneel as you see fit (the “ban” on sitting when the Eucharist is exposed is proper piety and common sense, but not explicit law AFAIK).