General Instruction of the Roman Missal

                The Congregation's Common Postures

•   Stand from the Entrance Song to the Beginning of the Collect (Opening Prayer):

"This posture! from the earliest days of the Church! has been understood as the stance of those who are risen with Christ and seek the things that are from above... "

•   Seated throughout the Readings until the Gospel Acclamation:            

"Sitting is the posture of listening and meditating."

•   Stand during the Proclamation of the Gospel, and Seated for the Homily:

                "We stand for the Gospel! the pinnacle of revelation! in the words and deeds of our Lord ]esus Christ."

•   Stand for the Creed and the Prayer of the Faithful. During the Creed all Bow at the words,

"by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary and became man": We bow at these words to signify "our profound respect and gratitude to Christ."

•   Seated while the altar is prepared, and as the gifts are brought forward and placed on the altar

•   Stand at the end of the Orate Fratres (Pray, brethren...) but before their own response    (May the Lord accept...): Note: this is a change in posture!

•   Stand until the conclusion of the Sanctus, and Kneel until the end of the Great Amen:   Kneeling is a sign of adoration and reverence.

•   Stand for the Our Father, until the conclusion of the Agnus Dei! when all Kneel

•   Stand for the reception of Holy Communion:

The communicant bows his or her head before receiving the Body of Christ either on the tongue or in the hand. If also receiving the Precious Blood! the same sign of reverence is shown by bowing the head before reception from the chalice.

•   Sit or Kneel during the thanksgiving after Communion

•   Stand for the Prayer after Communion until the end of Mass

Adapted from the USCCB Committee on the Liturgy_

Office of Divine Worship! Diocese of Bridgeport. Used with permission.