Fourth in a series of articles on the celebration of the Mass by Fr Garfield Rochard, member, Liturgical Commission, Archdiocese of Port of Spain and consultant, Antilles Liturgical Commission

We give here the parts of the Celebration of the Eucharist, and the current postures in effect.

However, we need to note that there are some rites that are more important than others.
Both the Opening and Concluding Rites are of less significance when compared with the other rites.

After these two, there are two main rites of great significance.

They are the LITURGY OF THE WORD, and the LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist has a preparation phase – the Presentation of the Gifts. Then follows the Eucharistic Prayer and the Communion Rite.

THE MAIN PARTS OF THE EUCHRISTIC CELEBRATION

• Opening Rites
• LITURGY OF THE WORD
• LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Presentation of the Gifts
Eucharistic Prayer – Passover, Sacrifice, Covenant
Communion Rite  – Communion, meal
• Concluding Rites

1. OPENING/INTRODUCTORY RITE:
 All stand until the end of the Opening Prayer

2. LITURGY OF THE WORD: 
All sit during readings, psalm, homily.
All stand during Gospel Acclamation, Gospel, Creed, Prayers of Intercession.

3. PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS:
All sit until end of the “Pray brethren (Orate fratres)….”
All stand at the Prayer over the Gifts.

4. EUCHARISTIC PRAYER:
Here is the only place where a variation is to be made and put in effect. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states that all stand for the Eucharistic Prayer, but kneel for the consecration.

The Antilles Episcopal Conference in its recent visit to the Holy See and the Holy Father, had this aspect discussed and were reminded of what the GIRM says.
This signifies that the archdiocese has to determine when we process this gesture officially.

Let me quote the text from the GIRM English translation from the Latin Document Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani# 43: “The faithful should stand from…the invitatory ‘Prayer brethren that our sacrifice…’ before the Prayer over the Gifts to the end of Mass except in the places indicated in this paragraph. They should sit for the Readings, stand for the Gospel, sit for Homily, stand for the Creed, and Prayer of the Faithful, sit for the preparation of the gifts, and if this seems helpful for the period of religious silence after communion.

They should kneel for the consecration, except when prevented by reasons of ill health, lack of space, number of people present and for any other good reason.”

Therefore to respond to the expected posture during the Eucharistic Prayer, the faithful should kneel at the end of the Hosanna to the beginning of the Memorial Acclamation: The Mystery of Faith…

5. COMMUNION RITE:
Continue standing until end of the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei)
The Communion of the celebrant and ministers is followed by that of the faithful.

Children and adults in Communion procession not receiving the Eucharist

Children accompanying parents, and adults who are not receiving the Eucharist should have a clear gesture: Hands crossed over one’s chest. They receive a gesture of acknowledgment and proceed.
 
COMMUNION THANKSGIVING – After receiving one may kneel or sit. A period of silence and/or a Thanksgiving hymn 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION – All stand
It is important that the Communion rite, of the celebrant, ministers and the faithful be united by the uninterrupted flow of reception and thanksgiving and the presidential prayer at the end.
Other social, cultural and religious expressions must not interrupt the Communion Rite.

6. CONCLUDING RITES

Here a change in procedure is required. The announcements must be made after the Post Communion Prayer. This prayer ends the Communion Rite.

Special meditations, Mother’s Day song, Tribute Mary, Mother of Jesus and parish birthday greetings etc, can now be attended to in the Concluding Rite segment, which ends with the Blessing and Dismissal.

The announcements and acknowledgments are to be given after the Post Communion Prayer. During the announcements, all sit. All rise for the Blessing and Dismissal.
Blessing and Dismissal: All stand and eventually recess out.