The Catholic's pocket prayer-book/Rules for Assisting at Mass

Rules for Assisting at Mass.

---

THESE rules indicate the attitude which the Church desires, as most suitable to the various parts of the Mass. They do not bind so strictly as to make it a sin to depart from them, for sufficient reasons.

LOW MASS.

Rise when the priest is going to the altar.

Kneel from the beginning to the end of Mass, except during the Gospels.

HIGH MASS.

Rise when the priest is going to the altar.

Kneel when Mass commences.

Rise at the "Gloria."

Sit when the priest is seated.

Rise when the priest kisses the altar.

Stand whilst the prayers are sung.

Sit during the reading of the lesson (Epistle).

Rise for the Gospel, after which remain standing, whilst the priest recites the "Credo" and genuflect with him at the words "Et incarnatus est," etc. (i. e., And He was made flesh, etc.)

Sit when the priest is seated, but kneel on both knees whilst the choir sings: "Et incarnatus est de spiritu sancto ex Maria Virgine; Et homo factus est."

Rise when the priest kisses the altar and remain standing till the priest has sung "Oremus."

Sit till the priest commences to sing "Per omnia sæcula sæculorum."

Stand during the Preface.

Kneel from the "Sanctus" to the second ablution.

Then sit till the priest kisses the altar.

All stand during the last prayer.

All kneel to receive the blessing.

During the last Gospel all stand.

(If before the sermon the "Veni Creator" is sung by the choir, all kneel.)