It must also be emphasized that even the outward signs of this Sacrament indicate in the most fitting manner the reasons of unity. Of this very thing St. Cyprian says: “even the sacrifice of the Lord itself sets forth Christian unity, union with Him through a strong and inseparable charity. For when the Lord calls bread His Body, made of many grains, He thereby declares that the people led by Him is a people joined together; and when the wine, pressed from many clusters and poured into one, He calls His Blood, He likewise points out that our society is made up of many elements joined and fused into one”. (…) Likewise the Angelic Doctor repeats after St. Augustine: “Our Lord sets forth His Body and His Blood in those things which are gathered from many into one: the former – that is, the Body – is a whole made up of many grains; the latter – that is, the Blood – is a whole made up of many grapes”. Therefore St. Augustine also says in another place: “O sacrament of piety, O bond of charity, O sign of unity.” – Leo XIII, Mirae Caritatis
One should strive that the postures adopted by the faithful in church be worthy of the holy place, and during the Church’s Liturgy as uniform as possible, bearing witness to the unity of the community taking part therein. Order, silence, and outward harmony help us to render honour to God with due reverence and recollection.
Most of the rules set forth below are obvious to a faithful Catholic. Yet, considering the corruption of human nature by original sin, and also the widespread weakening in recent times of the sense of the sacred, it is necessary to recall what follows:
Postures in a Catholic Church and during the Liturgy
One should move in silence, with reverence, without abruptness, and without needless turning about.
In the church, all changes of posture are to be made in silence, calmly and with due reverence – without nervous gestures and without haste, regardless of who one is or what function one fulfills.
One should move in such a way as not to disturb the prayer of others or introduce confusion. One avoids backing away, pushing through, and needless turning toward the aisles or passageways. If one must leave the pew or move to another place, it should be done as directly and discreetly as possible. If the situation requires one to turn for a moment toward the exit, this should be done without theatricality and without noise, while preserving inward reverence toward the altar and the Blessed Sacrament.
During Holy Mass, when approaching Holy Communion, the hands should be folded. Before approaching the altar rail, one genuflects on one knee (the right), according to the custom of the rite and place. Gestures are not prolonged in such a way as to delay the orderly distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful (when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, one kneels on both knees and makes a bow). At the altar rail one kneels on both knees.
Immediately after receiving Holy Communion – at the latest when the priest passes to the second row at the altar rail – one should withdraw calmly, without needless delay, so as not to hinder others. Additional gestures that might disrupt order are not made; the act of adoration should be above all an act of the heart. As one departs, one should genuflect again on the right knee and return to one’s place in silence, remaining in thanksgiving until the end of Holy Mass.
We do not rearrange the church
It is not permissible, in order to assume a desired posture, to disturb the order of the holy place by moving pews or chairs and thereby disturbing the silence and recollection of the faithful.
If the arrangement of the furnishings does not allow a certain posture to be assumed or a certain place in the church to be occupied, one should renounce it humbly. If the arrangement is truly troublesome, and a slight adjustment solves the problem, this is to be done only when there are no faithful in the church, so as not to hinder anyone in prayer.
Catholic postures in hierarchy from the lowest to the highest:
• sitting
• standing
• kneeling
• lying prostrate (an extraordinary posture)
The principle of assuming a lower posture instead of a higher one
A lower posture may be assumed because of illness, disability, weakness, pain, cramped space, or other serious circumstances. If someone is unable to kneel, he adopts a standing or sitting posture in a modest and unobtrusive manner, without seeking peculiar poses. If standing obstructs the view of others or causes crowding, one may discreetly withdraw to the back of the church and stand there.
The principle of assuming a higher posture instead of a lower one.
A higher posture is not evil in itself. Yet during public worship one must guard the unity of gestures and the liturgical order. He who adopts a stricter posture should do so without display, without demonstration, and without disturbing the harmony of the congregation. Let conscience examine whether it is penance and reverence, or the desire to be noticed.
And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. (Mt 6, 5)
The posture of lying prostrate is an extraordinary posture
It is recommended chiefly for private practices. In the public order of the liturgy, having regard to the principles above, it is assumed only when the rite requires it or when the celebrant gives an explicit sign.
Bows
As a rule, bows are made in such a way as not to alter the posture from the waist downward, and in the manner permitted by one’s place in the church. When standing, one does not crouch; when kneeling, one does not make movements that are unbecoming or distracting.
Many devout faithful bow the head at the mention of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and at the more important invocations in prayer; he who does so should do it discreetly and without exaggeration. The deepest bow possible, as place and strength permit, may be made during the “Confiteor”.
Hands
The hands, when one is not holding a missal or prayer book, should be kept calm and dignified; the most fitting manner is with the hands joined.
Especially at the moments of greatest reverence – during the hearing of the Holy Gospel and when approaching Holy Communion – one should preserve a posture and a placing of the hands that express the fear of God and recollection.
Proper postures in the Catholic Church
Kneeling posture
On both knees. Upright at the waist. Without leaning on the pew.
Standing posture
Upright and calm. Without sprawling and without nonchalance.
Sitting posture
Dignified and recollected. Without a slouched pose and without lounging as in a secular place.
Postures not acceptable in the Catholic Church
The Church, therefore, should be free from everything that distorts or even merely diminishes the piety and recollection of the faithful, that gives cause for aversion or scandal, that above all offends the gravity and holiness of the rites, and that does not accord with the dignity of the House of Prayer and the Majesty of God. – Pius X, Tra le sollecitudini
