Aug 28, 2025

Greetings,

There has been an upsurge in people inquiring about posture during the Mass over the past year and so it seems a good time to address it as we prepare for our Annual Eucharistic Devotions coming up later next month. Specifically, what should our posture be after receiving Communion? There are two moments of attention: 1) one’s personal return from Communion and 2) concerning when the congregation may sit after Communion. The three sources used in answering this question will come from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), specifically paragraph #43, a 2003 dubia asking for clarification from Rome, and the norms set out by the Diocese of Cleveland which may be found online on the diocesan website under “Posture During Mass.”

First: One’s personal return to the pew from Communion. The norms in the GIRM as well as the diocesan norms state that one is to remain standing. However, the dubia states that the GIRM’s instruction was 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 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.” So, while we are encouraged to stand, for personal, pious reasons one may choose to kneel or, if need be, sit. There will be some amount of variety among us.

Second: This is where there will be a slight change. Since before I came to the parish, it has been the custom at St. Sebastian to sit when the celebrant of the Mass is seated. This sometimes results in a prolonged amount of time when the congregation is being asked to stand with no real purpose. The norms of the diocese state that we are to sit when the last person has received Communion. This is because until then, we are in solidarity with those still in procession journeying to Christ. I find this a little impractical, however. Like the instructions on an airplane before takeoff when the flight attendant alerts you to be aware of the closest exit “bearing in mind that it might be behind you,” it seems as though it would be distracting if one needed to keep an eye on when the last person receives and may result in a “wave” of sitting down. Perhaps that is not the most distracting thing that could happen but there is another alternative I believe.

At our Cathedral of St. John, the congregation sits after the Blessed Sacrament is reposed in the tabernacle. I am proposing that we adopt the practice that is used by the Bishop. So, beginning on the weekend of September 13 and 14, which will coincide with our Annual Eucharistic Devotions, we will give it a try and see if it suits us better.

IN OTHER NEWS

OFFICES CLOSED: Labor Day is Monday, September 1. The parish office will be closed that day.

MASS TIME CHANGE FOR LABOR DAY: Mass will be at 9am on Labor Day.

AWAY: I will be away again this week for more continuing education on how to assist to form future priests. We are coming close to the end of this training. There are only a couple of more sessions!

THANK YOU: I just want to thank everybody so much for the warm regards and blessings on my birthday. It was truly overwhelming. How fortunate I am to be here with you. Know of my prayers.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck