Catholic Mass with standing, kneeling & sitting guidelines cues and Eucharistic Prayers
The first Sunday in Advent, 2011, the new translation of the latin from ICEL was implemented across the English Catholic world. Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Comments on
sitting and standing, Special to the Washington standard, Thursday, June 3, 2004, by Father Walter,
Archdiocese of Washington's secretary for parish life.
P = Priest, D = Deacon, C = Congregation, A = All, L = Lector
Table of Contents
Comment: Catholic liturgy calls for the involvement of the whole person, spirit, soul and body. The bodily postures that the congregation adopts at Mass-- whether standing, kneeling, or sitting--accord with the nature of the rites being celebrated.
Before Mass begins, members of the congregation or assembly, once they have entered the church and genuflected in adoration before the tabernacle, normally sit in silence in their pew, perhaps after kneeling briefly to offer a few preparatory prayers. As Mass begins with the entrance song and procession, all stand in acknowledgement that Christ, the High Priest, is present in the Eucharistic assembly to lead it in the worship of His heavenly Father.
The congregation remains standing throughout the Mass's Introductory Rites: the Sign of the Cross and Greeting, the Act of Penitence, the Gloria, and the Collect.
These rites dispose the congregation to a grateful and attentive reception of the word of God that will be proclaimed in the Liturgy of the Word that follows.
Introductory Rites
Greeting
P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen
Comment: Depending on the day, or time of year, the Priest says one of the following:
| Form A | Form B | Form C |
|---|---|---|
P. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, C: And with your spirit |
P. Grace to you and peace from God our Father C: And with your spirit |
P: The Lord be with you. (or a Bishop says "Peace be with you")
C: And with your spirit. |
Penitential Act
Comment: The Priest, or a Deacon, or another minister, may very briefly introduce the faithful to the Mass of the day. Depending on the day, or time of year, the Priest recites one of the following, inviting the faithful to make the Penitential Act:
| Form A | Form B | Form C |
|---|---|---|
P: Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, A: I confess to almighty God
P: May almighty God have mercy on us, C: Amen. |
P: Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. Have mercy on us, O Lord. C: For we have sinned against you. P: Show us, O Lord, your mercy. C: And grant us your salvation.
P: May almighty God have mercy on us, C: Amen. |
P: Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, A brief pause for silence follows. The Priest, or a Deacon or another minister, then says the following or other invocations* with: P: You were sent to heal the contrite of heart:
P: You came to call sinners: Christ have mercy.
P: You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us:
Lord have mercy. or Kyrie, eleison.
P: May almighty God have mercy on us, |
If A or B was used then choose either of the following: (Omit if form C of the Penitential Act was used)
P: Lord have mercy. P: Christ have mercy.
P: Lord have mercy.
|
P: Kyrie, eleison. P: Christe, eleison. P: Kyrie, eleison. |
Gloria
Comment: The congregation remains standing. Then, when it is prescribed, this hymn is either sung or said:
(Omit during Advent and Lent)
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Comment: The congregation remains standing.
P: Let us pray ... (prayer)
And all pray in silence with the Priest for a while. Then the Priest, with hands extended, says the Collect prayer, at the end of which the people acclaim:
C: Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
Comment: The congregation sits so that it may comfortably and effectively listen to and absorb the word of God proclaimed by the readers.
First Reading - Old Testament, or NT letters
L: Reads from Scripture, after which is said:
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm - Often sung
The psalmist or cantor sings or says the Psalm, with the people making the response.
Second Reading
If there is to be a Second Reading, a reader reads it from the ambo, as above. To indicate the end of the reading, the reader acclaims:
L: (Reads from Scripture then says) The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Comment: The congregation stands, at the time of the proclamation of the Gospel, for whereas in the first two readings the word of God is communicated in the words of the prophets and apostles of the Old and New Testaments, in the Gospel it is the Word of God Himself, our Lord Jesus Christ, who speaks to the assembly.
Alleluia
Comment: The congregation remains standing, the Alleluia is often sung and has a short sentence of the Gospel message interweaved in the song.
There follows the Alleluia or another chant laid down by the rubrics, as the liturgical time requires. Meanwhile, if incense is used,
the Priest puts some into the thurible. After this, the Deacon who is to proclaim the Gospel, bowing profoundly before the Priest,
asks for the blessing, saying in a low voice: Your blessing, Father. The Priest says in a low voice:
May the Lord be in your heart and on your lips,
that you may proclaim his Gospel worthily and well,
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Deacon signs himself and replies:
Amen
If, however, a Deacon is not present, the Priest, bowing before the altar, says quietly:
Cleanse my heart and my lips, almighty God,
that I may worthily proclaim your holy Gospel.
Gospel
Comment: The congregation remains standingThe Deacon, or the Priest, then proceeds to the ambo, accompanied, if appropriate,
by ministers with incense and candles. Then he says:
P (or Deacon): The Lord be with you.
C: And with your spirit.
P (or Deacon): A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.
C: Glory to you, Lord.
P: (Reads from Scripture then says)
The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Then he kisses the book, saying quietly:
Through the words of the Gospel
may our sins be wiped away.
Homily (the Priest presents a teaching on the readings)
Comment: The congregation sits to listen to the homily preached by a Priest or Deacon on all Sundays and Holidays of Obligation; on other days,
it is recommended. The congregaton remains sitting during the period of silence after the homily
Profession of Faith
Comment: The congregation stands to profess its faith and exercise its baptismal priesthood by offering prayers and petitions on behalf of the
Church and the world. The Liturgy of the Word concludes with this Prayer of the Faithful.At the end of the Homily, the Symbol or Profession of
Faith or Creed, when prescribed, is either sung or said:
| Nicene Creed | Apostles Creed |
|---|---|
A: I believe in one God, I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. |
Instead of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, especially during Lent and Easter Time, the baptismal Symbol of the Roman Church, known as the Apostles’ Creed, may be used. A: I believe in God, I believe in the Holy Spirit, |
General Intercessions
Then follows the Universal Prayer, that is, the Prayer of the Faithful or Bidding Prayers.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Preparation of the Altar and the Gifts
Comment: All sit as the altar is prepared for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. (In some churches, all the members of the congregation rise from their
places to bring their monetary offerings forward for the needs of the Church and the poor.) Selected members of the congregation then bring
forward the bread and wine that will be consecrated in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Then all stand.
P: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the bread we offer you:
fruit of the earth and work of human hands,
it will become for us the bread of life.
C: Blessed be God forever.
P: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the bread we offer you:
fruit of the earth and work of human hands,
it will become for us the bread of life.
Then he places the paten with the bread on the corporal. If, however, the Offertory Chant is not sung, the Priest may speak these words aloud;
at the end, the people may acclaim:
C: Blessed be God for ever.
The Deacon, or the Priest, pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly:
P: By the mystery of this water and wine
may we come to share in the divinity of Christ
who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
The Priest then takes the chalice and holds it slightly raised above the altar with both hands, saying in a low voice:
P: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the wine we offer you:
fruit of the vine and work of human hands,
it will become our spiritual drink.
Then he places the chalice on the corporal. If, however, the Offertory Chant is not sung, the Priest may speak these words aloud; at the end, the people may acclaim:
C: Blessed be God for ever.
Invitation to Prayer
Comment: Congregation remains standing, the Priest, bowing profoundly, says quietly:
P: With humble spirit and contrite heart
may we be accepted by you, O Lord,
and may our sacrifice in your sight this day
be pleasing to you, Lord God.
If appropriate, he also incenses the offerings, the cross, and the altar. A Deacon or other minister then incenses the Priest and the people.
Then the Priest, standing at the side of the altar, washes his hands, saying quietly:
P: Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
Standing at the middle of the altar, facing the people, extending and then joining his hands, he says:
P: Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters),
that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God,
the almighty Father.
C: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands
for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good
and the good of all his holy Church.
Then the Priest, with hands extended, says the Prayer over the Offerings, at the end of which the people acclaim:
C: Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer I, II, III, IV
Preface: Comment: The congregation kneels (In many places throughout the Catholic world, the congregation kneels only at the time of the
Consecration and remains standing for the rest of the Eucharistic Prayer.) The long-standing custom in the United States and in other places is
for the congregation to remain kneeling throughout the whole of the Eucharistic Prayer below. What is the meaning of this posture during the
Eucharistic prayer? Sometimes, in liturgical practice, kneeling signifies sorrow for sin, as when one kneels to confess one's sins in the Sacrament of Penance.
At other times it signifies adoration, as one kneels in front of the tabernacle. The kneeling that takes place during the Eucharistic Prayer is primarily a
posture of profound self-offering in which the congregation unites itself to the Sacrifice of Christ enacted on the altar.
The congregation stands to begin the center and summit of the entire Mass, the Eucharistic Prayer.
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And with your spirit.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them up to the Lord.
P:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right and just.
A: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Note: scroll to the right to see Echaristic Prayer III and IV
| Eucharistic Prayer I | Eucharistic Prayer II | Eucharistic Prayer III | Eucharistic Prayer IV |
P:
To you, therefore, most merciful Father, Remember, Lord, your servants N. and N. In communion with those whose memory we venerate, PROPER FORMS OF THE COMMUNICANTES
Click this popup for different seasons (Nativity of the Lord,
Epiphany of the Lord, Easter, Ascension Pentecost etc.) On the Nativity of the Lord and throughout the Octave: On the Epiphany of the Lord: Celebrating the most sacred day on which your Only Begotten Son, eternal with you in your glory, appeared in a human body, truly sharing our flesh, and in communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, † From the Mass of the Easter Vigil until the Second Sunday of Easter: Celebrating the most sacred night (day) of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh, and in communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, † On the Ascension of the Lord: Celebrating the most sacred day on which your Only Begotten Son, our Lord, placed at the right hand of your glory our weak human nature, which he had united to himself, and in communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, † On Pentecost Sunday Celebrating the most sacred day of Pentecost,
on which the Holy Spirit
appeared to the Apostles in tongues of fire,
and in communion with those whose memory we venerate,
especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary,
Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, †
Or: From the Mass of the Easter Vigil until the Second Sunday of Easter P: On the day before he was to suffer, He bows slightly. TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, He shows the consecrated host to the people, places it again on P: In a similar way, when supper was ended he took this precious chalice TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, He shows the chalice to the people, places it on the corporal, P: The mystery of faith. C:
We proclaim your Death, O Lord, P:
Therefore, O Lord, Be pleased to look upon these offerings In humble prayer we ask you, almighty God: may be filled with every grace and heavenly blessing. (Through Christ our Lord. Amen.) Remember also, Lord, your servants N. and N., Grant them, O Lord, we pray, (Through Christ our Lord. Amen.) To us, also, your servants, who, though sinners, hope in your abundant mercies, through Christ our Lord. Through whom Through him, and with him, and in him, C: Amen |
Although it is provided with its own Preface, this Eucharistic Prayer P: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, You are indeed Holy, O Lord, Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, At the time he was betrayed P: Therefore, as we celebrate
|
P: You are indeed Holy, O Lord, The mystery of faith. Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your Church May he make of us Listen graciously to the prayers of this family, Through him, and with him, and in him, |
It is not permitted to change the Preface of this Eucharistic It is truly right to give you thanks, And so, in your presence are countless hosts of Angels, With them we, too, confess your name in exultation, A: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. P: We give you praise, Father most holy, that they may become |
Communion Rite
Lord's Prayer
Comment: The congregation stands for the first two components of this rite, the recitation of the Lord's Prayer and the Rite of Peace.
It remains standing for the Fraction, when the consecrated Bread is broken for distribution to the assembly, as the (Lamb of God) is sung or recited.
P: At the Savior’s command
and formed by divine teaching,
we dare to say:
A: Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Doxology
P: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Sign of Peace
P: Lord Jesus Christ,
who said to your Apostles;
Peace I leave you, my peace I give you;
look not on our sins,
but on the faith of your Church,
and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will.
Who live and reign for ever and ever.
C: Amen.
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C:
And with your spirit.
If appropriate, the Deacon, or the Priest, adds:
P: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
Comment: If the priest says "Let us offer each other
the sign of peace." The congregation turns to those near them and shakes hands or hugs them of some other
appropriate gesture. The priest should not leave the sanctuary to greet people unless it is an extraordinary situation, such as a funeral Mass or a Mass with particular
dignitaries present.
And all offer one another a sign, in keeping with local customs, that expresses peace, communion, and charity. The Priest gives the sign of peace to a
Deacon or minister.
Then he takes the host, breaks it over the paten, and places a small piece in the chalice, saying quietly:
P: May this mingling of the Body and Blood
of our Lord Jesus Christ
bring eternal life to us who receive it.
Breaking of the Bread
A: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
P:Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
who, by the will of the Father
and the work of the Holy Spirit,
through your Death gave life to the world,
free me by this, your most holy Body and Blood,
from all my sins and from every evil;
keep me always faithful to your commandments,
and never let me be parted from you.
Or:
May the receiving of your Body and Blood,
Lord Jesus Christ,
not bring me to judgment and condemnation,
but through your loving mercy
be for me protection in mind and body
and a healing remedy.
Communion
Comment: The congregation usually remains kneeling until it is time to come forward to receive Holy Communion. The normal posture for receiving Communion
in North America is standing, but kneeling is also acceptable. Communion may be received on the tongue directly from the priest or in the hand. If received in the hand,
it should be eaten immediately. As a sign of reverence to our Lord in the sacrament, communicants bow their heads, or genuflect, as the communicant in front of
them receives the Sacred Host. The same is done when receiving the Precious Blood from the chalice.
The Priest genuflects, takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice, while facing the people, says aloud:
P: Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
A: Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.
After this, he takes the paten or ciborium and approaches the communicants. The Priest raises a host slightly and shows it to each of the communicants, saying:
p: The Body of Christ.
The communicant replies:
Amen.
And receives Holy Communion.
Comment: Customarily, after receiving Communion and returning to their pew or chair, communicants begin a period of prayerful meditation.
There is no designated posture for this period of meditation. Some communicants prefer to remain kneeling. Some prefer to sit.
P:
What has passed our lips as food, O Lord,
may we possess in purity of heart,
that what has been given to us in time
may be our healing for eternity.
Prayer After Communion - Then the Priest may return to the chair. If appropriate, a sacred silence may be observed for a while, or a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may be sung.
Then, standing at the altar or at the chair and facing the people, with hands joined, the Priest says:
P: Let us pray.
All pray in silence with the Priest for a while, unless silence has just been observed. Then the Priest, with hands extended, says the Prayer after Communion,
C: Amen.
Concluding Rite -
Blessing
Comment: Congregation remains standing. The priest recites one of the following:
| In a Mass that is not Pontifical | In a Pontifical Mass |
|---|---|
P: The Lord be with you. Then the celebrant receives the pastoral staff, if he uses it, and says: C: Amen. |
The celebrant receives the miter and, extending his hands, says: P: The Lord be with you. C: Amen. |
____________________________________________________________
Dismissal
Comment: Congregation remains standing. Then the Deacon, or the Priest himself, with hands joined and facing the people, says:
P: Go forth, the Mass is ended.
Or:
Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.
Or:
Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
Or:
Go in peace.
C: Thanks be to God.
Then the Priest venerates the altar as usual with a kiss, as at the beginning. After making a profound bow with the ministers, he withdraws.
If any liturgical action follows immediately, the rites of dismissal are omitted.
Lord Jesus, let Your prayer of unity for Christians
become a reality, in Your way.
We have absolute confidence
that you can bring your people together,
we give you absolute permission to move.
Amen
