| In some
dioceses the faithful are still being told that they must stand
at various times during the Mass when they are accustomed
to kneeling by the liturgical tradition of the Roman
Rite, by universal law, or are moved by devotion. They
are told to do this for the sake of unity, and it is
sometimes stated, or strongly implied, that they are disobedient if they do
not. These occasions include: when an entire parish or
diocese unlawfully institutes an adaptation at some point
in the Mass, such as standing at the Consecration, or,
when a bishop lawfully establishes a particular norm for
his diocese to stand after the Agnus Dei (as permitted by
GIRM 43), or, when a parish
or diocese insists that everyone must stand after their
Communion until all have received, and similar instances.
See Authority in the Liturgy
for some general legal principles.
The below letter from the Prefect of
the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of
the Sacraments clarifies the obligation of the faithful
in such circumstances.
Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Chairman of the Bishops Committee on the Liturgy, received the following clarification concerning the right interpretation of the
"General Instruction of the Roman Missal" on the posture of the faithful from their own reception of Communion until the period of sacred silence after all Communions have been received (at which time they may sit or kneel as they prefer).
Congregation for Divine Worship and the
Discipline of the Sacraments
5 June 2003
Prot. n. 855/03/L
Dubium: In many places, the faithful are accustomed to kneeling or sitting in personal prayer upon returning to their places after
having individually received Holy Communion during Mass. Is it the intention of the
Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia, to forbid this practice?
Responsum: Negative, et ad mentem. The mens is that the prescription of the
Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, no. 43, is intended, on one hand, to ensure within broad limits a certain uniformity of posture within the congregation for the various parts of the celebration of the Holy Mass, and on the other, to not regulate posture rigidly in such a way that those who wish to kneel or sit would no longer be free.
Francis Cardinal Arinze
Prefect
Related Documents:
Congregation Responses on
Denying Communion
Congregation Responses on
Posture and other Matters
|
