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Postures
The information below was shared by Julie Roth, Director of Worship & Music at all the masses on The Most Holy Trinity.
Last weekend, I talked about not turning toward the back of the church during the entrance procession. Rather, at the greeting and opening song we will face forward and join in song today and on future Masses. This weekend I come to talk with you about our posture during the communion rite.
After the Lamb of God, we kneel when the priest gives the invitation to Communion. This is where we respond to that invitation with, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my rood, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
At this point for roughly the last 20 years, we stood up as a gesture of reverence. While commendable and not wrong, it is no longer the standard practice in most places throughout the United States and has led to some confusion.
“Therefore, the archbishop has designated the practice will be for the faithful to kneel after the Lamb of God and remain kneeling until joining the communion procession. After receiving Holy Communion, the faithful return to their places and kneel (or sit if unable to kneel)” (Archbishop Fabre).
I remember a while back when there was a change in posture.
I asked the pastor I was working for at the time, “Ok, so we are changing back to what we did before. Why on earth can’t we make up our mind?!”
He said, “Julie, it’s a living church and we keep working it out.”
Now we will be kneeling.
I have a couple of important takeaways though.
First, when were standing, we weren’t “wrong.” Please don’t take this as an opportunity to school your neighbor. Second, when we go to other churches near and far, remember this phrase: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
But most importantly: No matter what our posture is, it is most important that we understand that we are to be attentive to the Body of Christ. That is all of us. Not just me. Receiving the Body of Christ, which in its fullness means both action and object of the Eucharist.
It is not just about us being present to receive the sacred host and the Precious Blood. It’s not about me individually, but me individually and everybody together. “The act of Communion is also an act of faith.” (#13 GIRM)
What we receive is what we become.
We receive the Body of Christ so that we may become the Body of Christ. Our community becomes more Christ-like. This is what we pray for. This is what we receive Communion for. This is the fullness of the Communion rite.
We are to be attentive to everyone receiving, thus being present to the body of Christ in order to experience that fullness of the Eucharist.
Part of how we can be present to everyone is through singing the Communion Song. Everything in Mass has a job and so does the Communion Song! In the general instruction it says, “the communion song shows the communitarian nature of this ritual.” ( # GIRM)
You all have become such good singers! You have come so far! And I am greatly worried that in kneeling you will stop singing. It is more difficult to sing while kneeling. However, I have faith that you will keep singing.
After every one has received communion and the presider puts the sacred hosts into the tabernacle, we sit. We don’t wait for Father to sit.
When the Tabernacle door closes, we sit. We pray.
When Father walks to his chair, he sits. He prays.
Then it is here that we individually take time privately to give thanks to God for what we (all of us) have just received.
Beginning today we will kneel after the Lamb of God. We will kneel again after we receive communion. (And we will keep singing!)
Let’s give it a whirl!
Resources used:
*GIRM- General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 2021.
** referenced article The Record, May 15, 2025, Marnie McAllister
*** Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre letter, Sharing in the Dignity of the Image of God, (May 14, 2025), Archdiocese of Louisville.
Understanding Catholic Worship A Handbook for People in the Pews. Judy Bullock. 2017.
A NOTE TO THOSE WHO BRING PYXES IN THE COMMUNION LINE
On the weekend of June 21/22, 2025 before all Masses, I will be talking about a change in how we go about taking communion home to those are ill at home. In past days and years, people would come forward in the communion line and receive the host to take home there. Now we ask you to arrive at church early and take your pyx to the sacristan in the sacristy (by the altar space). The hosts you need will be put in the pyx and will be brought to the table during the Preparation of Gifts. After Communion, the pyx can be picked up after Mass. More explanation next week.
** The 8:30 AM Mass regimen of visiting the homebound and facilities will stay the same. No change for those involved in this ministry.
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