Joshua Bennett
Catholics stand, sit, and kneel at different points during Mass. Each action has a symbolic meaning and is done at specific points during the service. For example, standing is a sign of respect and is done at the beginning and end of Mass, as well as during the Gospel. Sitting is a posture of relaxation and listening, and Catholics sit during readings and the preparation of gifts. Kneeling is a sign of humility and penitence, and Catholics kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer and at Communion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to stand | At the beginning and end of Mass, during the Gospel reading, during the Profession of Faith, during the Universal Prayer, and from the invitation before the Prayer over the Offerings until the end of the Mass |
| When to sit | During readings before the Gospel, during the Responsorial Psalm, during the Homily, and during the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory |
| When to kneel | During the Eucharistic Prayer, during Communion, after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic prayer, and during periods of sacred silence after Communion |
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What You'll Learn
Standing during Mass
Catholics always stand for a reading of the Gospel, where the words of Christ himself are found. They may sit while the two readings from the Old Testament and the New Testament Epistles are read. Standing has been a common posture for prayer since early Christianity. It can also be a wordless symbol for the Resurrection.
Each part of the Mass has a different posture and a reason for that posture. For example, sitting is a posture of relaxation, listening, and meditation. Catholics sit during the readings and the preparation of the gifts because they are being attentive to what is going on.
The different postures at Mass are sometimes jokingly called "Catholic Calisthenics", but they actually mean something. Each action helps Catholics give witness to Christ.
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Kneeling during the Eucharistic Prayer
Kneeling is a sign of humility and adoration. It is a common posture for personal prayer and worship. Catholics kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer, the central point during Mass when God comes down and the Eucharist is transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ.
The Eucharistic Prayer is a brief summary of the Christian faith and a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. It begins with "The Lord be with you," "Lift up your hearts," and ends with the Great Amen. It is important to maintain the same bodily posture during the entire prayer. While some sources suggest that standing is the appropriate posture during the prayer, others emphasize that kneeling is required by universal liturgical law.
In the United States, the bishops received approval from Rome for the congregation to remain kneeling throughout the Eucharistic Prayer, from the end of the Sanctus through the Great Amen. This has been the norm in the U.S. since at least 1995, when the U.S. bishops rejected a proposal to make kneeling optional.
In Canada, there has been a movement in some jurisdictions, such as St. Paul, Victoria, Calgary, and Regina, to abolish or make kneeling during the Eucharistic Prayer optional, in favor of standing. This change has faced considerable resistance from those who view kneeling during the Consecration as a traditional and important act of adoration.
The debate surrounding the appropriate posture during the Eucharistic Prayer highlights the significance of this prayer in the Mass and the various ways in which different Catholic communities interpret and express their faith.
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Sitting during readings
Catholics may sit while the two readings from the Old Testament and the New Testament Epistles are read. This is because the Gospel holds a higher place among the rest of the word of God as it is directly related to Christ's bodily time on earth. During the time of Christ, the teacher or master sat down, and the students stood around them.
However, it is important to note that the specific postures during Mass may vary. While one parish may stand during the entire liturgy, another may sit during the readings. It is respectful to follow the customs of the parish you are attending.
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Bowing as a sign of reverence
Bowing is a sign of reverence and respect in the presence of something sacred. In the Catholic Church, bowing is a physical sign with spiritual significance, uniting the work of the body and the soul in worship of God. Bowing is distinct from genuflecting, which is an act of adoration reserved for the Presence of God.
Catholics make a "profound bow" or "bow of the body" towards the altar if the Blessed Sacrament is not present behind it. The altar is afforded this honour because, as St. Ambrose says, "What is the altar of Christ if not the image of the Body of Christ?".
Catholics also bow their heads in respect for holy names, including those of Jesus and Mary, and at the invocation of the Blessed Trinity. For instance, if one is celebrating the Mass of a saint, they bow their head at the name of the saint.
Bowing is also customary when entering or exiting the church, or when passing in front of the altar. These practices are not obligatory and can vary based on personal devotion and local customs. They are meant to be expressions of personal faith and reverence.
In addition to bowing, Catholics may also make the sign of the cross or nod their head as gestures of reverence.
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Genuflecting when entering and leaving church
For Catholics, genuflecting is a customary way of greeting Jesus and honouring him. It is a way of praying with both body and soul. Genuflecting is also a sign of adoration and respect for the Blessed Sacrament, which is present in the Holy Eucharist.
When entering and leaving a Catholic church, it is customary to genuflect on one knee when passing before the tabernacle, which contains the Blessed Sacrament. This is done as a small gesture of adoration and respect for the presence of Christ. However, it is important to note that a genuflection is only necessary when passing the tabernacle, which may not always be visibly present or may be located in a side chapel. If there is no tabernacle present, a simple bow towards the altar is appropriate.
Upon entering a Catholic church, one would typically bless themselves with holy water, make the Sign of the Cross, and then look for a place to sit. Before sitting down in the pew, if the Blessed Sacrament is present in the sanctuary, individuals would genuflect. This is a common practice observed by both the priest and servers during Mass.
When leaving the church, one would typically genuflect after exiting, as this is considered passing before the Blessed Sacrament. It is worth noting that some churches have side entrances near the sanctuary, and in such cases, one may prefer to genuflect immediately after entering or just before leaving through those entrances.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics stand at the beginning and end of Mass, during the Gospel, and during the Profession of Faith and the Universal Prayer. Standing is a posture of honour and respect, as well as a sign that one is ready to do something.
Catholics sit during the readings before the Gospel and the Responsorial Psalm, for the Homily, and during the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory. Sitting is a posture of relaxation, listening, and meditation.
Catholics kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer and at Communion time as a reminder of humility and reverence for Christ. In the Dioceses of the United States of America, they kneel beginning after the Holy, Holy, Holy until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer. In other countries, practices vary, but generally, Catholics kneel during the consecration of the Eucharist and for a while afterward.
Each posture during Mass has a different meaning. Standing is a posture of honour and respect, sitting is a posture of listening and meditation, and kneeling is a sign of humility and penitence.
