Standing at Bukowski shows respect and readiness
Alissa Shaffer’s article in the October 31 issue of the Saint is misleading. At Bukowski chapel, the faithful are encouraged to stand during the Eucharistic Prayer and to make a profound bow during the consecration after the priest genuflects.” The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) promotes the use of adequate space to accommodate ritual posture among the assembly and allows for adaptation where there is a lack of space.
GIRM 95 and 96 makes a case for uniform gesture during the Liturgy of the Word, the Eucharistic Prayer and the communion rite. It discourages the faithful from “making any appearance of individualism or division.” Interestingly, GIRM 43 indicates that “the faithful may sit or kneel while the period of sacred silence after communion is observed.”
“In 1969, GIRM 21 prescribed the posture of standing for the Eucharistic prayer, with kneeling or genuflection at the consecration. The bishops of North America were allowed to adapt this posture to kneeling during the entire Eucharistic prayer. Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Quebec opted for standing throughout. In Spain and Italy, the bishops accepted the universal norm – standing throughout except for the consecration” (Huels, John. More Disputed Questions in the Liturgy. Chicago: LTP, 1996).
It is notable that the church has utilized the posture of standing during the Anaphora for the better part of its history. Eucharistic Prayer II gives witness to the ancient practice of standing with these words, “We thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.” Standing is an esteemed prayer posture in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Gospels that expresses human dignity, respect between persons, and a readiness to respond to the situation at hand. Those who stand during the Eucharistic prayer are in good company.
- Theresa Marshall, Campus Ministry
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I couldn’t agree more! Ms. Marshall’s reading of the GIRM is far more accurate than Ms. Schafer’s uncited quotation of Joseph Ratzinger.
What Terry did not mention as being inaccurate is the assertion that “most people kneel [at Bukowski].” Attendance at any weekday or Sunday mass easily proves this false.
“In the dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the large number of people present, or some other good reason. Those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the priest genuflects after the consecration. The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.”- GIRM
I believe that what Ms. Schafer was trying to point out in her original article was that people were being told to stand when there was plenty of room to kneel. To my knowledge, Bishop Hurley has not given Aquinas permission to stand during the consecration (although I could be wrong, correct me if I am).
Personally, I prefer kneeling, mainly because if I stand I run the risk of zoning out during the most important part of the Mass. Also, kneeling reminds us that we are in the presence of Christ the King, and kneeling in the presence of the King is the proper thing to do.
It’s good that issues such as these can be discussed. It is our duty as Catholics to keep the Mass strong, for if we weaken the Mass, we weaken the Church, and that is a disservice to everyone.