Postures for the Faithful at a Celebration of Missa Cantata in the Ancient Form of the Roman Rite According to the Missal Amended in 1962 Newcomers to the ancient use, or “Extraordinary Form,” of the Roman Rite can be challenged by the liturgy’s layering, and this can lead to confusion over their own postures. These postures used by the faithful are by no means exhaustive, nor are they necessarily the correct postures in every place or circumstance, or according to the books written before the liturgical changes. But they reflect common practice nevertheless. For those more familiar with the Ordinary Form, they are generally very similar to what was adopted after 1969.

Procession/Introit (without Sprinkling): STAND. Asperges Me/ Vidi Aquam (Sprinkling Rite-Sundays only): STAND; SIT after the collect. Preparatory Prayers: KNEEL with the servers. Kyrie: Continue to KNEEL as the choir chants it immediately after the Introit. Gloria: STAND at the intonation by the priest, and SIT if the priest sits. Collect: STAND (or remain standing) as the priest sings “Dominus vobiscum.” Epistle: KNEEL as the priest sings the title tone “Lectio epistolae…” Gradual: KNEEL, and SIT if the priest sits. Gospel: STAND at “Dominus vobiscum.” Homily: SIT for the English Epistle, then STAND for the English Gospel, then SIT. Credo: STAND at the intonation, SIT if the priest sits, KNEEL when choir sings “Et incarnatus est” (and in some places also when the priest recites it, though this is less proper). Offertory: STAND at “Dominus vobiscum,” then SIT. Preface: STAND at “Per omnia saecula saeculorum.” Sanctus: KNEEL after the priest finishes the Preface, and the bells will ring thrice. Pater Noster: STAND at “Per omnia saecula saeculorum.” Pax/Agnus Dei: KNEEL after “Et cum spiritu tuo.” In some churches, communicants start moving to the rail after the priest recites “Domine, non sum dignus” (the bells will ring thrice). Communion: KNEEL for “Ecce Agnus Dei/Domine, non sum dignus…” and through the ablutions (purification of the vessels) and the recitation of the Communion verse by the priest. Post-Communion Collect: STAND at “Dominus vobiscum.” Ite: REMAIN STANDING after the conclusion of the post-Communion collect. Blessing: KNEEL. Last Gospel: STAND at “Dominus vobiscum” (by the time the priest is on the Gospel side) and KNEEL when he kneels at “Et Verbum caro factum est.”