f 4 ò u t c ) y c j C H U R C H MANNERS C o p y r i g h t 1939 by t h e Catholic Truth Society 6202 Alder Street Pittsburgh, Pa. PRICE T E N CENTS CHURCH MANNERS When receiving Holy Communion — Keep your eyes downcast or closed. In going to Holy Communion on Sun- days and First Fridays, please approach the rail via the Middle aisle and leave via the side aisle. In going to Holy Communion please ap- proach in two lines—single file. Keep to the middle of the center aisle and away f rom the seats. When in doubt as to the proper pro- cedure at any religious ceremony, follow the altar boys—that is Stand, Kneel, or be Seated when they do so. No gentleman will smoke or throw cig- arettes or anything on the Church prem- ises or grounds or among our shrubs. God's acre should be kept spotless. No lady or gentleman will chew gum in Church. Strict Silence should be observed dur- ing the sermon, and at all other times. Do not read anything but the Missal or prayer book in Church. Not even relig- ious papers should be read in Church. 2 DeacMed Silence should be observed in the Church and vestibule. Don't put umbrellas or wet coats on the seats or kneelers. Put them along the wainscoat wall . Do not drop things on the floor. If you see anything on the floor, please pick it up. Prove to Almighty God you are neat and a good housekeeper. Do not stand if there are seats avail- able. Don't come up the aisle when the Priest is in the pulpit. Move in, please. Do not make others crawl over you. Feet off kneelers. Hat clasps are found in every seat— six to a pew—please use them. Always stand when the Sacring bell rings. Always stand for the procession before and af ter a Funeral . Use the Missal or a prayer book at M ass. Don't confine the whole of your religious life to the na r row limits of the Rosary. Catholicity is much too grand for that. 3 Every well bred Catholic uses the Mis- sal for Mass and a prayer book for Vespers. : Do not rush to the Communion rail— go slowly and reverently, with joined hands. Ushers and guests at weddings must re- main silent when entering or leaving the Church and all dur ing the Nuptial Mass. T h e proper ending of the Our Father is "deliver us from evil." Do not insert the word all before evil. When entering or leaving your seat or the Church genuflect—that is, let the Right knee touch the floor. Be well groomed. Don't turn your coat collar up when in Church or in go- ing to Holy Communion. Thou shalt not take our lead pencils f rom the seats. Church is not a fashion show—so wai t until you leave to turn around and in- spect her hat or f u r coat. Whi le await ing Confession do not stand near the Confessional doors. If you enter the Church when the Sanctuary bell is ringing or Holy Com- munion is being distributed—Stop and kneel instantly. 4 Take Holy Wa te r when entering the Church. It is intended to remind yoti to cleanse your mind f rom all worldly thoughts. It is not necessary to take Holy Wa te r when you leave the Church. Well bred people come to Mass ahead of t ime—never late. Always keep five feet behind those kneeling at the Altar rail. No wedding receptions in the vestibule of the Church—so please be silent. No talking in the vestibule at any time. Keep silence when entering or leaving Church. Do not put used pamphlets in our vesti- bule pamphlet racks or on the tables. T h e Sacristan is the only one permitted to put flowers on our shrines-—so hands off. Do not rattle beads, or play with your gloves or purse dur ing the Sermon. Take a Bulletin af ter Mass every Sun- day ; then read it and hang it up at home for information about Masses, fasts, meetings and other important parish events. Do not pray in solo: keep in unison with the others who are answering the prayers. 5 If you inspect the pamphlets in the vestibule racks, please put them back in their proper place. For Women only — Please walk the aisles quietly, without accenting your ha rd heels; if you are not too fat , tip-toe it. Please lower the kneeler quietly and gently—don't bang anything in Church. It disturbs God and your neighbors. Please do not park in or in f ront of our dr iveways or entrances. Start you auto engine quietly and never blow your horn near the Church. Please lift the kneeler with your foot before entering or leaving the seat. Always kneel dur ing the Credo of a low Mass. When in doubt as to posture at Ves- pers, always follow the Celebrant. Always bow your head when the Gloria Pa t r i is sung. A gentleman will remove his hat be- fore entering the Church and he will not put his hat on until he has left the Church. Please do not leave your place in the Church until the Priest has left the sanc- tuary. 6 On the First Fr iday of the month—do not approach the Communion rail as soon as you enter the Church. Please remem- ber that Holy Mass is a Sacrifice-Ban- quet. Some only partake of the Banquet and forget entirely about the Sacrifice or their offering. I t is vulgar to throw rice at weddings. Do not cough or make other nasal noises dur ing the Sermon or dur ing the Consecration at Mass. Af t e r receiving Holy Communion, close your mouth slowly—do not snap it shut. T o make the sign of the cross; raise the right hand and touch the forehead at the Word Fa the r ; touch the breast at a sufficient distance down at the word Son; then touch the left and right shoulders at the words Holy Ghost ; at Amen join the hands if they are to be joined. Please do not carry on a conversation in the Church af ter a service is finished. God's House is a House of Prayer . When you receive Holy Communion, you should remain af ter Mass at least five minutes to make your Thanksgiving. When the Hymn "Veni Creator" is sung just before the Sermon, all should kneel until it ends; then remain standing until the Preacher enters the Pulpit. 7 REQUIEM HIGH MASS 1. Stand—When the Sacring bell rings to announce the entrance of the Cele- brant . 2. Kneel—During the prayers at the foot of the Altar. Remain kneeling until the Gospel. 3. Stand—During the Gospel. 4. Sit—During the Offertory. 5. Stand—During the Preface. 6. Kne,el—When the Sanetus bell rings. Remain kneeling until the beginning of the last Gospel. 7. Stand—During the last Gospel. 8. Kneel—Genuflect with the Celebrant at the end of the last Gospel. 9. Stand—Remain standing until the Celebrant has left the sanctuary. 8 FUNERAL HIGH MASS 1. Stand—When the Sacring bell rings for the procession to meet the corpse, and while the body is carried up the aisle. 2. Sit—While the Celebrant goes to the Sedilia to vest for Mass. 3. Stand—When the Celebrant returns to the Altar for Mass. 4. Kneel—During the prayers at the foot of the Al tar . Remain kneeling until the Gospel. 5. Stand—During the Gospel. 6. Sit—During the Offertory. 7. Stand—During the Preface. 8. Kneel—When the Sanctus bell rings. Remain kneeling until the beginning of the last Gospel. 9. Stand—During the last Gospel. 10. Kneel—Genuflect with the Celebrant at the end of the last Gospel. 11. Sit—While the Celebrant goes to the Sedilia to assume the cope for the Blessing of the corpse. 12. Stand—When the Celebrant goes to the foot of the Al tar for the Blessing of the corpse. 13. Remain standing dur ing the entire Blessing. Also remain standing while the corpse is taken f rom the Church. 9 SOLEMN REQUIEM MASS 1. Stand—When the Sacring bell rings for the procession to meet the corpse. 2. Sit—While the Celebrant is vesting at the Sedilia. 3. Kneel—For the prayers at the foot of the Altar . 4. Sit—When the Celebrant sits while the Choir sings the Kyrie and the Dies I rae . 5. Kneel—When the Celebrant returns to the Altar to sing the Collect. 6. Sit—When the Subdeacon sings the Epistle. 7. Stand—While the Deacon sings the Gospel. 8. Sit—During the Offertory. 9. Stand—During the Preface. 10. Kneel—When the Sanctus bell rings. Remain kneeling until the last Gospel. 11. Stand—During the last Gospel. 12. Knfeel—Genuflect with the Celebrant at the end of the last Gospel. 13. Sit—While the Celebrant is vesting for the Blessing of the corpse. 14. Stand—As soon as the procession is formed before the Al ta r for the Bless- ing. Remain standing for the entire Blessing and while the corpse is taken f rom the Church. 10 HIGH MASS 1. Stand—When the Sacring bell rings. Kneel—If it is Sunday—While the Celebrant intones the Asperges. Stand—During the Asperges. 2. Kneel—During the prayers at the foot of the Al tar . 3. Sit—When the Celebrant sits while the Choir sings the Kyrie. 4. Stand—When the Celebrant returns to the Altar . Remain standing while the Celebrant intones the Gloria. On days when the Gloria is omitted— Stand when the Celebrant sings Dominus Vobiscum. 5. Sit—When the Celebrant sits while the Choir sings the Gloria. 6. Stand—When the Celebrant returns to the Altar . 7. Stand—Remain standing for the Col- lects. 8. Sit—While the Celebrant chants the Epistle. 9. Stand—While the Celebrant sings the Gospel. (If it is Sunday— Stand—Remain standing until the Preacher enters the pulpit and reads the Gospel. Sit—During the Sermon. Stand—When the Celebrant returns to the Altar af ter the Sermon. 10. Kneel—Genuflect when the Celebrant does at Et incarnatus est. 11. Sit—When the Celebrant sits while the Choir sings the Credo. 12. Kneel—While the Choir sings Et incarnatus est. 13. Stand—When the Celebrant returns to the Altar af ter the Credo. 14. Sit—During the Offertory. 15. Stands—During the Preface. 16. Kneel—When the Sanctus bell rings. Remain kneeling until the Tabernacle doors are closed af ter Holy Com- munion. 17. Sit—After the Tabernacle doors are closed af ter Holy Communion. 18. Stand—When the Celebrant sings Dominus Vobiscum before the Post Communion. 19. Kneel—When the Choir finishes Deo Gra t ias just before the Blessing. 20. Stand—During the last Gospel. 21. Kneel—Genuflect with the Celebrant at the end of the last Gospel. 22. Stand—Remain standing until the Celebrant and Choir have left the sanctuary. 12 SOLEMN MASS its Stand—When Sacring bell rings forv^ the processional. 2. Kneel—While the Celebrant intones the Asperges. 3. Stand—During the Asperges. 4. Sit—While the Celebrant is vesting at the Sedilia af ter the Asperges. 5. Kneel—During the prayers at the foot of the Altar . 6. Sit—When the Celebrant sits while the Choir sipgs the Kyrie. 7. Stand—When the Celebrant goes to the Altar af ter the Kyrie. 8. Si t—When the Celebrant sits while the Choir sings the Gloria. 9. Stand—When the Celebrant goes to the Altar af ter the Gloria. 10. Stand—Remain standing dur ing the Collects. 11. Sit—When the Subdeacon sings the Epistle. 12. Stand—When Deacon and Subdeacon and Altar Boys move in procession for the singing of the Gospel. Remain standing until the Preacher enters the pulpit and reads the Gos- pel. 13. Sit—During the Sermon. 14. Stand—When the Celebrant returns to the Altar after the Sermon. 53 15. Kneel—Genuflect when the Celebrant does at Et incarnatus est. 16. Sit—When the Celebrant sits while the Choir sings the Credo. 17. Kneel—While the Choir sings Et incarnatus est. 18. Stand—While the Celebrant goes to the Altar af ter the Credo. Remain standing until af ter the Dominus Vo- biscum. 19. Sit—During the Offertory. 20. Stand—After the Incensation of the Celebrant. Remain standing until the Sanctus bell rings. 21. Kneel—When the Sanctus bell rings. 22. Remain kneeling until the T a b e r - nacle doors are closed af ter Holy Communion. 23. Sit—After the Tabernacle doors are closed af ter Holy Communion. 24. Stand—When the Celebrant sings Dominus Vobiscum before the Post Communion. 25. Kneel—After the Choir answers Deo Grat ias . 26. S tand—During the last Gospel. 27. Kneel—Genuflect with the Celebrant at the end of the last Gospel. 28. Stand—During the recessional and until all of the Choir and Clergy have left the sanctuary. 14 NUPTIAL HIGH MASS 1. Stand—When the Sacring Bell rings for the entrance of the Celebrant. 2. Kneel—When the bride reaches the Altar . Remain kneeling for the pray- ers at the foot of the Altar . 3. Stand—When the Celebrant sings Dominus Vobiscum. 4. Si t—When the Celebrant chants the Epistle. 5. Stand—When the Celebrant sings the Gospel. 6. Sit—During the Offertory. 7. Stand—During the Preface. 8. Kneel—When the Sanctus bell rings. Remain kneeling until the Tabernacle doors are closed af ter Holy Com- munion. 9. Sit-—After the Tabernacle doors are closed af ter Holy Communion. 10. Stand—When the Celebrant sings the Dominus Vobiscum after- Holy Com- munion. 11. Kneel—After the Choir answers Deo Grat ias . 12. Stand—During the last Gospel. 13. Genuflect with the Celebrant at the end of the last Gospel. 14. Stand—Until the Celebrant has left the sanctuary. 15 LOW MASS 1. S tand—When the Sacring bell rings for the entrance of the Celebrant. 2. Kneel—For all the prayers of the Mass, except 3. Stand—For the two Gospels. Always kneel for the Credo of a low Mass. 4. Stand—Until the Celebrant has left the sanctuary af ter Mass. 16 BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 1. Stand—When the Sacring bell rings. 2. Kneel—When the Celebrant ascends the steps to expose the Blessed Sacra- ment. Bow your head at the words Venere- mur Cernui of the T a n t u m Ergo. 3. Stand—When the Tabernacle door is closed af ter Benediction. Remain standing until those in the sanctuary have retired to the sacristy. 17 HOLY HOUR 1. Stand—When the Sacring bell rings. 2. Knee l—When the Celebrant ascends the steps to expose the Blessed Sacra- ment. 3. Kneel—During the Rosary and the prayers at the foot of the Altar. 4. Sit—During the Sermon. 5. Kneel—After the Sermon is finished. Bow your head at the words Venere- mur Cernui of the T a n t u m Ergo. 6. Stand—When the Tabernacle door is closed af ter Benediction. Remain standing until those in the sanctuary have retired to the sacristy. 18 VESPERS 1. Stand—When the Sacring bell rings to announce the entrance of the Cele- brant. 2. Kneel—When the Celebrant kneels before the Al tar . 3. Stand—As soon as the Celebrant stands af ter the prayer at the foot of the Al tar . Make the sign of the cross when the Celebrant intones Deus in adjutorium meum intende. Bow at the Gloria Patr i . 4. Sit—When the Celebrant sits for the psalms. Bow each time the Gloria Patr i is sung. 5. Stand—When the Celebrant stands after the psalm9. 6. Kneel—When the Celebrant kneels for the first verse of the hymn. 7. Stand—When the Celebrant stands. Make the sign of the cross at the in- tonation of the Magnificat. Remain standing dur ing the Magni- ficat. Bow at the Gloria Patri. 8. Sit—When the Celebrant does af ter the Magnificat. 9. Stand—When the Celebrant stands af ter the antiphon is repeated. Remain standing until Vespers are finished. C A T H O L I C T R U T H S O C I E T Y 6202 Alder Street Pittsburgh, Pa. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted in any form without permission in writing from the publishers. Printed in United States of America.