What Is The Proper Posture For The Different Parts Of The Mass?

This table was taken from this document on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops web site.

From the beginning of Mass until the First Reading STAND
From the first Reading until the Gospel Acclamation SIT
From the Gospel Acclamation until the end of the Gospel STAND
During the Homily SIT
From the Profession of Faith until the end of the General Intercessions STAND
From the Preparation of the Gifts to the completion of Pray brethren SIT
From the beginning of the peoples' response May the Lord… to the beginning of the Holy, Holy STAND
From the completion of the Holy, Holy until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer 1 KNEEL
From the beginning of the Our Father until the completion of the Lamb of God. STAND
From the completion of the Lamb of God (at the Behold the Lamb of God…) until the Distribution of Holy Communion 2 KNEEL
When Receiving Holy Communion 3 STAND
During the sacred silence after the Distribution of Holy Communion SIT OR KNEEL
From the beginning of the Prayer after Communion until the end of Mass. STAND

  1. The people may stand when prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the large number of people present, or some other good reason.

  2. The diocesan bishop may determine that the people should stand after the Agnus Dei (at the Behold the Lamb of God…).

  3. The norm for the reception of communion is standing. Communicants should not be denied Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such instances should be addressed by providing the communicant with a catechesis on the reason for the norm.