In a Catholic Mass, should the people stand or knell at the Consecration?

Answer 1

Hello,

Either or will do, Much of these formalities changed or became more optional after Vatican II in the early 1960's.
Before that I remember everyone knelt.

Cheers,

Michael Kelly

Answer 2

Depends on what rite you are in.

The Eastern Rite Catholics stand because they feel it is a posture of respect - that they are alert and "ready" to receive the Ressurected Christ. Also, if you have ever attended an Eastern Catholic liturgy you will notice the Consecration does not occur at a single point and time as in the Roman rite, so the parishioners are not certain as to the exact time of the confection of the sacrament, therefore there is no set time to assume a certain posture. Therefore, Eastern Catholics remain standing almost entirely through the service.

The Western (Roman) Catholics traditionally kneel as a sign of humbling themselves before the True Presence.

The key is to show a gesture of deep respect and adoration - and this varies in different Catholic cultures.

Answer 3

For a Roman Catholic, you kneel in reverence at the Consecration of the Host.

Ironically enough, it is also sometimes accompanied by the ringing of a bell, so we also do "knell" at the Consecration. :)

Answer 4

Liet Kynes is mostly right, but you follow the GIRM of the country or episcopal conference you are in. For example, the American edition of the GIRM says 'kneel until the Sanctus' but that is a change which the Americans received - the universal version says 'until the Memorial Acclamation'. In some countries such as India sitting is accepted as an alternative posture. So it depends not on local custom, but on local documentation approved by law.

Answer 5

You kneel during the consecration (assuming you are Latin rite, which you probably are). It is important to understand WHY you kneel though.
It is because of what we believe about the Eucharist. When the bread and wine are transubstatiated into the Body and Blood of Christ, Christ is truly present on the altar. THAT is why you kneel, because you are in the presence of God.

By the way, that is why you genuflect when you enter the church: You genuflect toward the tabernacle because it contains the Eucharist - The Body, Blood, Soul, Divinity of Christ. (The problem these days is locating the Tabernacle. It SHOULD be behind the altar, but there's no telling where it is in some churches.)

Answer 6

*Is Catholic*

All are required to kneel until after the end of the 'Sanctus', through the Consecration, until the Great Amen. (GIRM 21, AGI 21)

Even if no kneelers are present, the faithful are still required to kneel during the above mentioned times, unless there is not adequate physical space to do so. (DOL 1411)


GIRM = The General Instruction of the Roman Missal
DOL = "Documents on the Liturgy"
AGI = Appendix to the Sacramentary


You might also want to read this
http://www.cuf.org/Faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=253

Answer 7

Depends on the Liturgy; if it's an Eastern Rite, stand in union with the Resurrection of Jesus. If it's the Latin Rite, kneel to your King as He enters the Sanctuary.

Answer 8

officially, we are supposed to kneel. However, there are some liberal, schismatic priests who teach the congregation to remain standing during the Consecration.

Answer 9

Kneel,

Answer 10

I usually kneel during the concecration, but i have seen it done differently at different churches.