Should we Sit or Kneel After Communion?
Should we Sit or Kneel After Communion?
Question
The priest at my Parish tells everyone to sit after Communion while the deacons consume the rest of the Body of Christ. Is this right?
Answer
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states:
“. . . as circumstances allow, they may sit or kneel while the period of sacred silence after Communion is observed “(43).
In 2003, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments said the following about GIRM #43:
The [intention]is that that the prescription of the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, no. 43, is intended, on the 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 (Prot. N. 855/03/L).
What this means is that you are not required to do what everyone is doing as though it would be sinful if you didn’t. In this case, it depends on your preference. Though for the mass rituals, you have to join as long as you’re in good health. You have to kneel, sit or stand to follow the Liturgy properly. But this case depends on you. After this, however, you have to stand to join the prayer after Communion. I usually recommend kneeling to pray after YOU RECEIVE Communion.
Should we Sit or Kneel After Communion?
