Sit, Stand and Kneel

Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg

Sitting, Standing and Kneeling

Imagine what visitors to the Catholic Church must think when they attend Mass for the first time. They probably notice there are times when we sit, stand, and kneel. The most reverent part is during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, when we kneel in awe at Jesus’s presence in the Eucharist. After receiving Christ in the Eucharist is it appropriate to return to our seat, kneel and thank God for allowing us to be in his presence. A priest once described these actions by saying, “We stand to pray, we sit to listen, and we kneel to worship.” It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been away. You are always invited to the Mass to encounter Jesus, who welcomes you with open arms. To learn more, visit WelcomingYou.org.