Below is an excerpt from communication received from the Diocese of Oakland: “The Structure of the Mass, Its Elements and Its parts” regarding the New Liturgical Policy – common bodily posture, to be observed at Mass and to be implemented by Ash Wednesday

February 14th, 2024:
The General Instruction for the Roman Missal for the United States, No. 43 states that “The faithful should stand from the beginning of the Entrance Chant, or while the Priest approaches the altar, until the end of the Collect; for the Alleluia Chand before the Gospel; while the Gospel itself is proclaimed; during the Profession of Faith and the Universal Prayer; and from the invitation, Orate, fratres (Pray, brethren), before the Prayer over the Offerings until the end of Mass, except at the places indicated below.

The Faithful should sit, on the other hand, during the readings before the Gospel and the Responsorial Psalm and for the Homily and during the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory; and, if appropriate, the may sit or kneel during the period of sacred silence after Communion.

In the Diocese of the United States of America, all the faithful should kneel beginning after the singing or the recitation of the Santus (Holy, Holy, Holy) until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by ill health or for reasons of lack of space or for another reasonable cause. However, those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the Priest genuflects after the consecration. The faithful knell after the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.”

Therefore, Bishop Barber requests that in our diocese we join the rest of the faithful in our country in kneeling after the Lamb of God in order to prepare ourselves reverently for reception of Holy Communion (except for health or other reasons mentioned above).