f 4 ò u t c ) y c j 

C H U R C H 
M A N N E R S 

C o p y r i g h t 1939 
b y t h e 

Catholic T r u t h Society 
6202 Alder Street 

Pittsburgh, Pa. 

PRICE T E N C E N T S 



CHURCH MANNERS 

W h e n receiving Holy Communion — 
K e e p y o u r eyes d o w n c a s t or closed. 

I n g o i n g to Holy Communion on Sun-
d a y s a n d F i r s t F r i d a y s , please a p p r o a c h 
the r a i l v i a the M i d d l e aisle a n d l e a v e 
v i a the side aisle. 

I n g o i n g to Holy Communion please a p -
p r o a c h in t w o lines—single file. K e e p to 
the m i d d l e of the center aisle and a w a y 
f r o m the seats. 

W h e n in doubt as to the p r o p e r p r o -
c e d u r e at any religious ceremony, f o l l o w 
the a l t a r boys—that is Stand, K n e e l , or 
be Seated w h e n they do so. 

N o g e n t l e m a n will smoke or t h r o w cig-
arettes or a n y t h i n g on the C h u r c h p r e m -
ises or g r o u n d s or a m o n g o u r shrubs. 
G o d ' s acre should be kept spotless. 

No l a d y or g e n t l e m a n will c h e w g u m 
in C h u r c h . 

Strict Silence should be observed d u r -
ing the sermon, and at all other times. 

D o not r e a d a n y t h i n g but the M i s s a l or 
p r a y e r book in C h u r c h . Not even relig-
ious p a p e r s should be r e a d in C h u r c h . 

2 
DeacMed 



Silence should be observed in the 
C h u r c h and vestibule. 

D o n ' t put u m b r e l l a s o r wet coats on 
the seats or kneelers. P u t t h e m a l o n g 
the w a i n s c o a t w a l l . 

D o not d r o p things on the floor. If you 
see a n y t h i n g on the floor, please pick it 
up. P r o v e to A l m i g h t y G o d you a r e 
n e a t a n d a good housekeeper. 

D o not stand if t h e r e a r e seats a v a i l -
able. 

D o n ' t come up the aisle w h e n the P r i e s t 
is in the pulpit. 

M o v e in, please. Do not make o t h e r s 
c r a w l over you. 

Feet off kneelers. 

H a t clasps a r e f o u n d in e v e r y seat— 
six to a p e w — p l e a s e use t h e m . 

A l w a y s stand w h e n the S a c r i n g bell 
rings. 

A l w a y s stand f o r the procession b e f o r e 
a n d a f t e r a F u n e r a l . 

Use the M i s s a l or a p r a y e r book at 
M ass. D o n ' t confine the whole of y o u r 
religious life to the n a r r o w limits of the 
R o s a r y . Catholicity is much too g r a n d 
f o r t h a t . 

3 



E v e r y well b r e d Catholic uses the M i s -
sal f o r M a s s and a p r a y e r book f o r 
Vespers. 

: D o not r u s h to the Communion r a i l — 
go slowly and r e v e r e n t l y , w i t h joined 
h a n d s . 

U s h e r s a n d guests at w e d d i n g s must r e -
m a i n silent w h e n e n t e r i n g or l e a v i n g the 
C h u r c h and all d u r i n g the N u p t i a l M a s s . 

T h e p r o p e r e n d i n g of the O u r F a t h e r 
is " d e l i v e r us from evil." D o not insert 
the w o r d all b e f o r e evil. 

W h e n e n t e r i n g or l e a v i n g y o u r seat o r 
the C h u r c h genuflect—that is, let the 
Right knee touch the floor. 

Be well g r o o m e d . D o n ' t t u r n y o u r 
coat collar u p w h e n in C h u r c h or in go-
ing to H o l y C o m m u n i o n . 

T h o u shalt not t a k e o u r l e a d pencils 
f r o m the seats. 

C h u r c h is not a f a s h i o n show—so w a i t 
until you l e a v e to t u r n a r o u n d and in-
spect her h a t or f u r coat. 

W h i l e a w a i t i n g Confession do not 
s t a n d n e a r the Confessional doors. 

If you enter t h e C h u r c h w h e n the 
S a n c t u a r y bell is r i n g i n g or Holy Com-
munion is b e i n g d i s t r i b u t e d — S t o p and 
kneel instantly. 

4 



T a k e Holy W a t e r w h e n e n t e r i n g the 
C h u r c h . It is i n t e n d e d to r e m i n d yoti to 
cleanse y o u r mind f r o m all w o r l d l y 
thoughts. It is not necessary to take Holy 
W a t e r w h e n you l e a v e the C h u r c h . 

W e l l b r e d people come to M a s s a h e a d 
of t i m e — n e v e r late. 

A l w a y s keep five f e e t behind those 
kneeling at the A l t a r r a i l . 

No w e d d i n g receptions in the vestibule 
of the C h u r c h — s o please be silent. 

N o t a l k i n g in the vestibule at any 
time. 

K e e p silence w h e n e n t e r i n g or l e a v i n g 
C h u r c h . 

Do not p u t used p a m p h l e t s in o u r v e s t i -
bule p a m p h l e t racks or on the tables. 

T h e S a c r i s t a n is the only one p e r m i t t e d 
to put flowers on o u r shrines-—so h a n d s 
off. 

Do not r a t t l e beads, or p l a y w i t h y o u r 
gloves or p u r s e d u r i n g the Sermon. 

T a k e a Bulletin a f t e r M a s s e v e r y Sun-
d a y ; then r e a d it a n d h a n g it up at home 
f o r i n f o r m a t i o n about M a s s e s , f a s t s , 
meetings and other i m p o r t a n t p a r i s h 
events. 

D o not p r a y in solo: keep in unison 
w i t h the others w h o a r e a n s w e r i n g the 
p r a y e r s . 

5 



If you inspect the p a m p h l e t s in t h e 
vestibule racks, please put them back in 
their p r o p e r place. 

F o r W o m e n only — P l e a s e w a l k the 
aisles quietly, w i t h o u t accenting y o u r h a r d 
h e e l s ; if you a r e not too f a t , tip-toe it. 

P l e a s e l o w e r the kneeler quietly and 
gently—don't b a n g a n y t h i n g in C h u r c h . 
It d i s t u r b s G o d and y o u r neighbors. 

P l e a s e do not p a r k in or in f r o n t of our 
d r i v e w a y s o r entrances. S t a r t you auto 
engine quietly a n d n e v e r blow y o u r h o r n 
n e a r the C h u r c h . 

P l e a s e l i f t the kneeler w i t h y o u r f o o t 
b e f o r e e n t e r i n g or l e a v i n g the seat. 

A l w a y s kneel d u r i n g the C r e d o of a 
l o w M a s s . 

W h e n in d o u b t as to p o s t u r e at Ves-
pers, a l w a y s f o l l o w the C e l e b r a n t . 

A l w a y s b o w y o u r h e a d w h e n the 
G l o r i a P a t r i is sung. 

A g e n t l e m a n will r e m o v e his h a t be-
f o r e e n t e r i n g the C h u r c h a n d he will not 
p u t his h a t on until he h a s l e f t the 
C h u r c h . 

P l e a s e do not l e a v e y o u r place in the 
C h u r c h until the P r i e s t h a s l e f t the sanc-
t u a r y . 

6 



On the F i r s t F r i d a y of the m o n t h — d o 
not a p p r o a c h the Communion r a i l as soon 
as you enter the C h u r c h . P l e a s e r e m e m -
ber t h a t Holy M a s s is a Sacrifice-Ban-
quet. Some only p a r t a k e of the B a n q u e t 
and f o r g e t entirely about the Sacrifice o r 
their offering. 

I t is v u l g a r to t h r o w rice at w e d d i n g s . 
Do not cough or m a k e other n a s a l 

noises d u r i n g the Sermon or d u r i n g the 
Consecration at M a s s . 

A f t e r r e c e i v i n g Holy Communion, close 
y o u r mouth slowly—do not s n a p it shut. 

T o m a k e the sign of the c r o s s ; r a i s e 
the r i g h t h a n d a n d touch the f o r e h e a d at 
the Word F a t h e r ; touch the b r e a s t at a 
sufficient distance d o w n a t the w o r d S o n ; 
then touch the l e f t and r i g h t shoulders at 
the w o r d s H o l y G h o s t ; at A m e n j o i n the 
h a n d s if they a r e to be joined. 

P l e a s e do not c a r r y on a c o n v e r s a t i o n 
in the C h u r c h a f t e r a service is finished. 
G o d ' s H o u s e is a H o u s e of P r a y e r . 

W h e n you receive Holy Communion, 
you should r e m a i n a f t e r M a s s at least 
five minutes to m a k e y o u r T h a n k s g i v i n g . 

W h e n the H y m n "Veni C r e a t o r " is 
s u n g j u s t b e f o r e the Sermon, all should 
kneel until it e n d s ; then r e m a i n s t a n d i n g 
until the P r e a c h e r enters the P u l p i t . 

7 



REQUIEM HIGH MASS 

1. S t a n d — W h e n the S a c r i n g bell r i n g s 
to announce the e n t r a n c e of the Cele-
b r a n t . 

2. K n e e l — D u r i n g the p r a y e r s at the foot 
of the A l t a r . 

R e m a i n kneeling until the Gospel. 

3. S t a n d — D u r i n g the Gospel. 

4. S i t — D u r i n g the O f f e r t o r y . 

5. S t a n d — D u r i n g the P r e f a c e . 

6. Kne,el—When the Sanetus bell rings. 

R e m a i n kneeling until the b e g i n n i n g 
of the last Gospel. 

7. S t a n d — D u r i n g the last Gospel. 

8. K n e e l — G e n u f l e c t w i t h the C e l e b r a n t 
at the end of the last Gospel. 

9. S t a n d — R e m a i n s t a n d i n g until the 
C e l e b r a n t h a s l e f t the s a n c t u a r y . 

8 



FUNERAL HIGH MASS 

1. S t a n d — W h e n the S a c r i n g bell rings 
f o r the procession to meet the corpse, 
and while the body is c a r r i e d up the 
aisle. 

2. S i t — W h i l e the C e l e b r a n t goes to the 
Sedilia to vest f o r M a s s . 

3. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t r e t u r n s to 
the A l t a r f o r M a s s . 

4. K n e e l — D u r i n g the p r a y e r s at the foot 
of the A l t a r . 
R e m a i n kneeling until the Gospel. 

5. S t a n d — D u r i n g the Gospel. 
6. S i t — D u r i n g the O f f e r t o r y . 
7. S t a n d — D u r i n g the P r e f a c e . 
8. K n e e l — W h e n the Sanctus bell rings. 

R e m a i n kneeling until the b e g i n n i n g 
of the l a s t Gospel. 

9. S t a n d — D u r i n g the last Gospel. 
10. K n e e l — G e n u f l e c t w i t h the C e l e b r a n t 

at the end of the last Gospel. 
11. S i t — W h i l e the C e l e b r a n t goes to the 

Sedilia to assume the cope f o r the 
Blessing of the corpse. 

12. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t goes t o 
the f o o t of the A l t a r f o r the Blessing 
of the corpse. 

13. R e m a i n s t a n d i n g d u r i n g the e n t i r e 
Blessing. Also r e m a i n s t a n d i n g while 
the corpse is t a k e n f r o m the C h u r c h . 

9 



SOLEMN REQUIEM MASS 

1. S t a n d — W h e n the S a c r i n g bell r i n g s 
f o r the procession to meet the corpse. 

2. S i t — W h i l e the C e l e b r a n t is vesting 
at the Sedilia. 

3. K n e e l — F o r the p r a y e r s at the foot 
of the A l t a r . 

4. S i t — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t sits w h i l e 
t h e Choir sings the K y r i e a n d t h e 
Dies I r a e . 

5. K n e e l — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t r e t u r n s 
to the A l t a r to sing the Collect. 

6. S i t — W h e n the Subdeacon sings the 
Epistle. 

7. S t a n d — W h i l e the D e a c o n sings the 
Gospel. 

8. S i t — D u r i n g the O f f e r t o r y . 
9. S t a n d — D u r i n g the P r e f a c e . 

10. K n e e l — W h e n the Sanctus bell rings. 
R e m a i n kneeling until the last Gospel. 

11. S t a n d — D u r i n g the last Gospel. 
12. Knfeel—Genuflect w i t h the C e l e b r a n t 

at the end of the last Gospel. 
13. S i t — W h i l e the C e l e b r a n t is v e s t i n g 

f o r the Blessing of the corpse. 
14. S t a n d — A s soon as the procession is 

f o r m e d b e f o r e the A l t a r f o r the Bless-
i n g . R e m a i n s t a n d i n g f o r the entire 
B l e s s i n g a n d w h i l e the corpse is taken 
f r o m the C h u r c h . 

10 



HIGH MASS 
1. S t a n d — W h e n the S a c r i n g bell rings. 

K n e e l — I f it is S u n d a y — W h i l e the 
C e l e b r a n t intones the A s p e r g e s . 
S t a n d — D u r i n g the A s p e r g e s . 

2. K n e e l — D u r i n g the p r a y e r s at the foot 
of the A l t a r . 

3. S i t — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t sits while 
the Choir sings the K y r i e . 

4. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t r e t u r n s 
to the A l t a r . 
R e m a i n s t a n d i n g while the C e l e b r a n t 
intones the G l o r i a . 
On d a y s w h e n the G l o r i a is o m i t t e d — 
Stand w h e n the C e l e b r a n t sings 
D o m i n u s Vobiscum. 

5. S i t — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t sits w h i l e 
the Choir sings the G l o r i a . 

6. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t r e t u r n s 
to t h e A l t a r . 

7. S t a n d — R e m a i n s t a n d i n g f o r the Col-
lects. 

8. S i t — W h i l e the C e l e b r a n t c h a n t s the 
Epistle. 

9. S t a n d — W h i l e the C e l e b r a n t sings t h e 
Gospel. 
(If it is S u n d a y — 
S t a n d — R e m a i n s t a n d i n g until the 
P r e a c h e r enters t h e pulpit and r e a d s 
the Gospel. 
S i t — D u r i n g the Sermon. 
S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t r e t u r n s 
to the A l t a r a f t e r the Sermon. 



10. K n e e l — G e n u f l e c t w h e n the C e l e b r a n t 
does at E t i n c a r n a t u s est. 

11. S i t — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t sits while 
the Choir sings the C r e d o . 

12. K n e e l — W h i l e the Choir sings E t 
i n c a r n a t u s est. 

13. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t r e t u r n s 
to the A l t a r a f t e r the C r e d o . 

14. S i t — D u r i n g the O f f e r t o r y . 

15. Stands—During the P r e f a c e . 

16. K n e e l — W h e n the Sanctus bell r i n g s . 
R e m a i n kneeling until the T a b e r n a c l e 
doors a r e closed a f t e r H o l y Com-
m u n i o n . 

17. S i t — A f t e r the T a b e r n a c l e doors a r e 
closed a f t e r H o l y C o m m u n i o n . 

18. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t sings 
D o m i n u s Vobiscum b e f o r e the Post 
C o m m u n i o n . 

19. K n e e l — W h e n the C h o i r finishes D e o 
G r a t i a s j u s t b e f o r e the Blessing. 

20. S t a n d — D u r i n g the l a s t G o s p e l . 
21. K n e e l — G e n u f l e c t w i t h the C e l e b r a n t 

at the end of the last Gospel. 

22. S t a n d — R e m a i n s t a n d i n g until the 
C e l e b r a n t a n d Choir h a v e l e f t t h e 
s a n c t u a r y . 

12 



SOLEMN MASS 

its S t a n d — W h e n S a c r i n g bell r i n g s f o r v ^ 
the processional. 

2. K n e e l — W h i l e the C e l e b r a n t intones 
the A s p e r g e s . 

3. S t a n d — D u r i n g the A s p e r g e s . 
4. S i t — W h i l e the C e l e b r a n t is v e s t i n g 

at the Sedilia a f t e r the A s p e r g e s . 
5. K n e e l — D u r i n g the p r a y e r s at t h e 

foot of the A l t a r . 
6. S i t — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t sits w h i l e 

the Choir sipgs the K y r i e . 
7. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t goes to 

the A l t a r a f t e r the K y r i e . 
8. S i t — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t sits w h i l e 

the Choir sings the G l o r i a . 
9. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t goes to 

the A l t a r a f t e r the G l o r i a . 
10. S t a n d — R e m a i n s t a n d i n g d u r i n g the 

Collects. 
11. S i t — W h e n the Subdeacon sings the 

Epistle. 
12. S t a n d — W h e n Deacon and Subdeacon 

a n d A l t a r Boys m o v e in procession 
f o r the singing of the Gospel. 
R e m a i n s t a n d i n g until the P r e a c h e r 
enters the pulpit a n d r e a d s the G o s -
pel. 

13. S i t — D u r i n g the Sermon. 
14. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t r e t u r n s 

to the A l t a r a f t e r the Sermon. 

53 



15. Kneel—Genuflect when the Celebrant 
does at Et incarnatus est. 

16. S i t — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t sits w h i l e 
the Choir sings the C r e d o . 

17. K n e e l — W h i l e the C h o i r sings E t 
i n c a r n a t u s est. 

18. S t a n d — W h i l e the C e l e b r a n t goes to 
the A l t a r a f t e r the Credo. R e m a i n 
s t a n d i n g until a f t e r the D o m i n u s Vo-
biscum. 

19. S i t — D u r i n g the O f f e r t o r y . 
20. S t a n d — A f t e r the I n c e n s a t i o n of the 

C e l e b r a n t . R e m a i n s t a n d i n g until 
the Sanctus bell r i n g s . 

21. K n e e l — W h e n the Sanctus bell rings. 
22. R e m a i n kneeling until the T a b e r -

nacle doors a r e closed a f t e r H o l y 
Communion. 

23. S i t — A f t e r the T a b e r n a c l e doors a r e 
closed a f t e r H o l y Communion. 

24. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t sings 
D o m i n u s Vobiscum b e f o r e the Post 
Communion. 

25. K n e e l — A f t e r the Choir a n s w e r s D e o 
G r a t i a s . 

26. S t a n d — D u r i n g the last Gospel. 
27. K n e e l — G e n u f l e c t w i t h the C e l e b r a n t 

at the end of the last Gospel. 
28. S t a n d — D u r i n g the recessional and 

until all of the Choir a n d C l e r g y 
h a v e l e f t the s a n c t u a r y . 

14 



NUPTIAL HIGH MASS 
1. S t a n d — W h e n the S a c r i n g Bell r i n g s 

f o r the e n t r a n c e of the C e l e b r a n t . 
2. K n e e l — W h e n the b r i d e r e a c h e s the 

A l t a r . R e m a i n kneeling f o r the p r a y -
ers at the foot of the A l t a r . 

3. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t sings 
D o m i n u s Vobiscum. 

4. S i t — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t chants the 
Epistle. 

5. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t sings the 
Gospel. 

6. S i t — D u r i n g the O f f e r t o r y . 
7. S t a n d — D u r i n g the P r e f a c e . 
8. K n e e l — W h e n the Sanctus bell rings. 

R e m a i n kneeling until the T a b e r n a c l e 
d o o r s a r e closed a f t e r H o l y Com-
m u n i o n . 

9. Sit-—After the T a b e r n a c l e doors a r e 
closed a f t e r Holy Communion. 

10. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t sings the 
D o m i n u s Vobiscum after- Holy Com-
m u n i o n . 

11. K n e e l — A f t e r the Choir a n s w e r s Deo 
G r a t i a s . 

12. S t a n d — D u r i n g the last Gospel. 
13. Genuflect w i t h the C e l e b r a n t at the 

end of the last Gospel. 
14. S t a n d — U n t i l the C e l e b r a n t h a s l e f t 

t h e s a n c t u a r y . 

15 



LOW MASS 

1. S t a n d — W h e n the S a c r i n g bell r i n g s 
f o r the e n t r a n c e of the C e l e b r a n t . 

2. K n e e l — F o r all the p r a y e r s of the 
M a s s , except 

3. S t a n d — F o r the t w o Gospels. 
A l w a y s kneel f o r the C r e d o of a low 
M a s s . 

4. S t a n d — U n t i l the C e l e b r a n t h a s left 
the s a n c t u a r y a f t e r M a s s . 

16 



BENEDICTION OF T H E 
BLESSED SACRAMENT 

1. S t a n d — W h e n the S a c r i n g bell r i n g s . 

2. K n e e l — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t ascends 
the steps to expose the Blessed S a c r a -
m e n t . 

B o w y o u r h e a d at the w o r d s V e n e r e -
m u r C e r n u i of the T a n t u m E r g o . 

3. S t a n d — W h e n the T a b e r n a c l e door is 
closed a f t e r Benediction. 

R e m a i n s t a n d i n g until those in the 
s a n c t u a r y h a v e r e t i r e d to the sacristy. 

17 



HOLY HOUR 

1. S t a n d — W h e n t h e S a c r i n g bell rings. 

2. K n e e l — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t ascends 
the steps to expose the Blessed S a c r a -
m e n t . 

3. K n e e l — D u r i n g the R o s a r y and the 
p r a y e r s at the foot of the A l t a r . 

4. S i t — D u r i n g the Sermon. 

5. K n e e l — A f t e r the Sermon is finished. 
B o w y o u r h e a d at the w o r d s V e n e r e -
m u r C e r n u i of the T a n t u m E r g o . 

6. S t a n d — W h e n the T a b e r n a c l e d o o r is 
closed a f t e r Benediction. 

R e m a i n s t a n d i n g until those in the 
s a n c t u a r y h a v e r e t i r e d to the sacristy. 

18 



VESPERS 
1. S t a n d — W h e n the S a c r i n g bell r i n g s 

to announce the e n t r a n c e of the Cele-
b r a n t . 

2. K n e e l — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t kneels 
b e f o r e the A l t a r . 

3. S t a n d — A s soon as the C e l e b r a n t 
s t a n d s a f t e r the p r a y e r at the foot of 
the A l t a r . 
M a k e the sign of the cross w h e n the 
C e l e b r a n t intones Deus in a d j u t o r i u m 
meum intende. 
B o w at the G l o r i a P a t r i . 

4. S i t — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t sits f o r the 
p s a l m s . 
B o w each time the G l o r i a P a t r i is 
sung. 

5. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t s t a n d s 
a f t e r the psalm9. 

6. K n e e l — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t kneels 
f o r the first v e r s e of the hymn. 

7. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t stands. 
M a k e the sign of the cross at the in-
tonation of the M a g n i f i c a t . 
R e m a i n s t a n d i n g d u r i n g the M a g n i -
ficat. 
Bow at the Gloria Patri. 

8. S i t — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t does a f t e r 
the M a g n i f i c a t . 

9. S t a n d — W h e n the C e l e b r a n t s t a n d s 
a f t e r the antiphon is r e p e a t e d . 
R e m a i n s t a n d i n g until Vespers a r e 
finished. 



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