Guide to Lay Ceremonial in the Liturgy

When entering a Church where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, we genuflect before entering our pews. We do the same when we leave, and any time we pass in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

The genuflection (dropping briefly to the right knee) is an act of adoration to Jesus Christ, Whom we believe is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament (Hosts consecrated at a previous Mass and stored in the Tabernacle). We know the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in any church when we see the Tabernacle (a special box made of metal or some other solid material) and a Sanctuary Lamp (a candle or oil lamp, usually in a red glass holder) burning nearby. In most Catholic churches, the Tabernacle is located somewhere in the front (near the main Altar). In some churches (especially more modern ones) the Tabernacle is kept in a special chapel away from the main body of the church. In these churches, instead of making a genuflection, we bow to the Altar (which represents Christ and His sacrificial death) before entering our pews.

In general, we stand to sing, to pray and to hear the proclamation of the Gospel; we sit to hear the instruction of the Scripture readings and the homily; and we kneel for the Eucharistic Prayer (from the end of the Holy, holy, holy until the Amen just before the Our Father).

Standing is an ancient posture of prayer and praise; sitting is the posture of a learner; and kneeling is a posture of humility and adoration.

The Sign of the Cross is made at the beginning of Mass and at the Final Blessing. Also, a special Sign of the Cross is made when the priest (or deacon) announces the Gospel reading: with the right thumb, we trace three small Crosses on the forehead, the lips and the heart.

The Sign of the Cross, a visible testimony to our faith in the saving and life-giving Cross of Jesus Christ (made by touching the fingers of the right hand to the forehead, the chest, the left shoulder and the right shoulder), always accompanies the invocation of the Holy Trinity ("In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"). These few words and simple gesture sum up the entire Christian Faith and should always be done with reverence and devotion. The Sign of the Cross begins and ends our prayers, whether public or private. The special Sign made at the proclamation of the Gospel signifies that we receive the Holy Gospel into our minds, our speech and our hearts.

In the Penitential Rite ("I confess..."), we strike the area of our heart at the words, "that I have sinned through my own fault."

This gesture, making a fist with the right hand and hitting the chest (only once), symbolizes our contrition (sorrow) for our sins.

 During the Creed ("We believe in one God,..."), a bow (from the waist) is made while saying the words, "by the power of the Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man." Also, a bow of the head is made whenever the Names of Jesus or Mary are said (and also the names of the patron saint of the church and the saint whose feast is celebrated that day).

When God became man in the womb of the Virgin for our sake, it was a supreme act of humiliation. In recognition of this awesome truth, we bow in humble worship. Scripture says, "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God" (Philippians 2:9-11). We acknowledge the tremendous majesty and power of Jesus’ Name by bowing our heads whenever we hear it mentioned. And we give the same respect to the name of His most holy Mother and the names of His saints.

When approaching to receive Holy Communion, we make a sign of reverence.

The U.S. Bishops have determined that the proper sign of reverence is to be a bow of the head. Ordinarily, this is done while the person in front of you is receiving. After the minister says, "The Body (or Blood) of Christ," we respond by clearly saying, "Amen." This is an act of faith: "Yes, I believe that this is truly the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ!"

Holy Communion may be received in one of two ways: directly on the tongue or in the hand.

Receiving on the tongue is an ancient and beautiful gesture representing our complete dependence upon God and our profound respect and awe for the sacred Body of the Lord. To do so, tilt your head back, open your mouth and extend your tongue far enough for the minister to place the Host upon it. To receive in the hand, place the right hand under the left and hold your hands at the level of your chest. After the minister has placed the Host on your left hand, step to one side (still facing forward) and stop; reverently place the Host in your mouth with your right hand and consume it. Be sure to consume any crumbs which might be on your hand as well – do not simply brush them off!

These are the basic gestures and postures which form an essential part of the Eucharistic Liturgy. Many individual Catholics supplement their worship with other gestures (such as additional Signs of the Cross, raising the hands in prayer, or holding hands at the Our Father) which are meaningful to them but not mandated by Church authority. These are the fruit of personal piety and should never be confused with, or substituted for authentic liturgical ceremony.