Movement, Posture and Processions

Movement and Posture

The gestures and posture of the priest, the deacon, and the ministers, as well as those of the people, ought to contribute to making the entire celebration resplendent with beauty and noble simplicity, so that the true and full meaning of the different parts of the celebration is evident, and that the participation of all is fostered… A common posture, to be observed by all  participants, is a sign of the unity of the members of the Christian community gathered for the sacred Liturgy: it both expresses and fosters the intention and spiritual attitude (GIRM 42).

Worship must come from the heart but it is always expressed through the totality of the human person. Participation in liturgy takes place on many dimensions involving the body:

• Standing for: prayer, intercessions, greetings, hymns, gospel, gospel canticles, Lord's Prayer, blessings, dismissals

• Hearing: God‟s word, homily,
• Eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ
• Proclaiming the Word of God
• Responding in silence, word and action
• Singing in acclamation, praise, supplication
• Kissing: veneration of the cross, the gospel book, ritual sign of peace
• Procession: gathering, leaving, gospel book, presentation of gifts, Baptism, triduum
• Kneeling: consecration, prostration: Good Friday, litany, ordination, religious profession
• Genuflection: sign of adoration reserved for Blessed Sacrament, and Holy Cross during Triduum; towards tabernacle on approach and departure from sanctuary, after showing of host and chalice before communion
• Bowing: sign of reverence and honour of head or body: for Trinity – as in Glory be, blessed virgin Mary, saint of day, toward altar during specific prayers, by deacon before gospel, by priest at words of consecration (GIRM 275)
• Imposition of hands: during sacraments; over bread and wine to call on Holy Spirit
• Washing: of hands at Mass; of feet on Holy Thursday, Baptism, sprinkling rite
• Sitting: listening to readings, preparation of gifts, sacred silence after communion, Liturgy of the hours during psalms (GIRM 43)
• Bringing, carrying, receiving: bread and wine, gifts for the poor, gospel book, cross, candles,
• Smelling: incense, Oil of Chrism
• Signing: cross on self, on lips for Morning prayer, on objects during blessings, over water, on others for initiation, anointings.

Processions

Processions are a particular symbolic action. The rituals of the Church include many processions. To walk in procession is to move as one body in Christ. Processions are a reminder that we are a people on the journey through this world to the promise of eternal life. We are reminded in the quiet prayer of the priest as he receives communion that we hope that by partaking in this sacrament we will all be brought to everlasting life.

Liturgy generally opens with a procession, at least of the presiding priest and other ministers. The book of the gospels may be brought to the ambo in procession while the gospel acclamation is sung. During the Eucharist the gifts are brought to the altar in procession. We come to the altar in procession to receive Communion. The rites for infant Baptism and funerals are meant to begin at the door of the Church followed by the entrance procession. During the rite of infant Baptism there is a procession to the font, then to the altar where the Lord‟s prayer is said. The Rite of Marriage suggests that it begin at the door of the Church with the priest meeting the "bride and bridegroom in a friendly manner" (RM intro 19) then going together in procession to the altar.

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