Posture in the Liturgy: On the weekend of September 21st we spoke before Mass, about posture during the celebration of the Eucharist. Body language can convey feelings and states of mind, and liturgical postures are a way to express internal responses to God's love and truth. The unified postures and gestures of the congregation express our collective participation in the Body of Christ and help to engage the entire person in prayer and worship. 

We recognize the presence of some among us who are not able to stand for any length of time or kneel, depending on age or infirmity, so heroic effort to conform to the directives is not expected. In other words, do what you are able to do.

Bishop Fabbro said, in a letter to priests in January, Whatever changes that are needed in individual parishes should be seen in light of the Church’s ancient teaching that the liturgy is the Church’s prayer and not our own to do with what we want or like, or to do only what may seem convenient.” 

The normal postures in Catholic liturgy are standing, sitting, and kneeling. 

Here are the postures we should be observing, some new, some not: 

1. At the Preparation of the Offerings, the people are sitting but should stand after the washing of the priest’s hands to be ready for the invitation, pray brothers and sisters, and make the response. 
2. We kneel after the Holy, holy, holy, and stand after the Great Amen.
3. Our practice is to kneel at the end of the Lamb of God. The Priest then genuflects, holds the Host above the paten or chalice, and says Behold the Lamb of God to which the Priest and assembly respond Lord, I am not worthy. At the end of this prayer, the assembly stands, after which the Priest will receive Communion, and all remain standing during the Communion Procession until everyone has received Communion. The Communion Procession starts when the priest receives Communion and ends only when the last person has received Communion. Then, at that point, people may sit or kneel. 
4. Holy Communion is to be received standing, though individual members of the faithful may choose to receive Communion while kneeling. 
5. In some places the practice is to continue standing until the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the Tabernacle. This should not continue, because the focus must be on the Holy Communion received and not on the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle. 
6. Following a period of silence, the priest and people stand and, after saying “Let us pray,” the priest offers the Prayer After Communion which ends the Communion Rite. 

 
Some of these directives by Bishop Fabbro may require concentration. Our deacons and priests will help with directions for a few weeks if necessary. Remember, it did not take long to switch from, “and also with you,” to “and with your spirit.” As we arrive at the last part of our Jubilee Year, let one of the fruits of this year be that we are more united as a Family of Parishes, as a Diocese and as One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church when we celebrate the Eucharist.