In preparation for my evangelical Protestant family to attend festival Eucharist with me for Easter, I decided to put together a list of stuff to help explain what is going on when so that maybe I can cut down on anyone feeling completely lost or shocked and I won’t have an extra barrier in explaining my desire to be ordained a priest in The Episcopal Church. And then I remembered that when I was researching what happens at Mass early on in my decision to begin attending Anglican worship, I found that information of this sort is sorely lacking on the internets (and what is available is mostly with reference to Traditional Latin Mass). So why the hell not, I’ll just post it here for God and everybody.
Of course, this is all completely unofficial and according to the norms at my large suburban parish during Rite II choral Eucharist. Each parish does everything a little differently according to number of people, size/setup of space, clergy training, liturgical season, and local custom. For example, the altar rail at my parish (built shortly after Vatican II allowed churches to move altars off the wall and other traditions followed suit) is a giganto circle around the actual altar instead of the typical straight rail separating the nave and chancel, which makes receiving communion a little logistically different and additionally confusing for visitors. [I used to think it was bizarre, but now I think it's the best idea ever.]
That said, in general…
All are welcome at the Eucharist. The official rule is that all baptized Christians are invited to receive communion, but in practice nobody is going to check your credentials or otherwise refuse you (even if you are in public support of abortion rights). The United Methodist Church (a daughter church of TEC) openly welcomes all seeking Christ to the table. I think if you talk to most Episcopal priests/deacons, you’ll get a similar response. Also, this gets complicated if your tradition (*cough* Roman Catholic *cough*) has a prohibition against receiving communion outside of your tradition. You are still welcomed by TEC, but you have to make a decision for yourself to follow or disregard your home church’s teaching.
You can participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable (responses, holy moves, receiving communion, etc.). Most people know when to do what because they have been doing it a long time (think: lifetime). Nothing that you will see, hear, or do is obligatory, so there’s no shame in forgetting or omitting something.
Just so we’re all on the same page, Episcopalians say “ah-men”, not “ay-men”. Technicality.
Whenever you hear “The [peace of the] Lord be with you” the proper response is “And also with you”, even if outside of the usual places for this line.
Keep the kneeler up when not in use so people aren’t crowded by it, especially during the peace or communion. We don’t need no stinking broken bones.
During the peace, just give handshakes to anybody within reach and say “peace”. Hugs are not obligatory. Some people will say “the peace of the lord” or “peace be with you” – you can respond with the same phrase, “peace”, or “and also with you”. Some people may introduce themselves, you can give your name if you want.
This is a celebration, so be joyful!
Options during communion:
- If you want to receive both bread and wine by drinking from the common cup (which is wiped clean after each person), go forward to kneel at the altar rail, cross yourself if you choose, place hands palms up on top of each other; the priest will say something like “The Body of Christ, the bread of Heaven” and place a wafer in your hand. Quietly say “amen” if you want, consume the wafer, and remain at the rail for the wine. A deacon/eucharistic minister will come by with the chalice and with the words “The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation” will offer the cup for you to gently place your hands on and take a sip – the deacon/EM will keep holding the chalice and gently tip it toward you. Say amen/cross yourself if you want before leaving the altar rail and returning to the pew.
- If you want to receive both bread and wine without drinking from the common cup (my preferred method), do like you would do for option #1 except do not eat the wafer immediately – keep it in your hand until the deacon/EM comes by with the chalice. They will dip the wafer in the wine and place it on your tongue (or, if not in flu season you can dip & drip it yourself). Now you’re safe to eat, say amen/cross self, and return to the pew.
- If you want to receive only the bread (totally fine – you still receive in both kinds even when you receive only one form), consume the wafer immediately after receiving from the priest, say amen/cross self if desired, and return to the pew.
- If you want to receive only a blessing from the priest, go forward to kneel at the altar rail with everybody else; instead of placing hands palms up, cross your arms over your chest (like for the “love” sign) and the priest will make the sign of the cross on your forehead and say a brief blessing.
- If you do not wish to receive either a blessing from the priest or communion, you can remain in your seat without guilt or retribution.
Holy move when-to:
genuflect (dropping to one knee)
- when entering the pew before Mass
- when exiting the pew for communion
- preferably as leaving the pew after Mass, but not always observed
The idea is to acknowledge and honor the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament (in our church, it is stored on the right side under the single lit candle). As one of our priests said, just kind of say hello and goodbye. It’s not imperative to bow or genuflect each and every time you pass in front of Jesus.
sign of the cross (3 fingers together touch forehead, chest, left, right, center optional)
- general rule of thumb: any time the priest does it
- whenever the priest makes it over the congregation (such as during a blessing)
- any time you see others doing it
- before/after personal prayer
- after dipping fingers in holy water
- before/after receiving communion
- at the words “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”
- at the words “we look for the resurrection of the dead” during the Nicene Creed
- at the words “blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” during the Sanctus
- at the words “sanctify us also…” during the Eucharistic Prayer
The idea is to acknowledge and invoke the name of the Trinity at these times. There’s not really a bad time to do this, so sign it up as you choose.
profound bow (lean forward about 30 degrees)
- when the processional cross passes by (Our parish has two processional crosses which make multiple appearances. You can bow just the first time or every time.)
- at the name of Jesus Christ while standing
- when someone bows to you (usually only if you are involved in the service, but applicable if the congregation is incensed)
A move of reverence/bowing to Christ or a silent expression of thanks/acknowledging Christ in each other.
mini sign of the cross x3 (made with thumb on forehead, mouth, and chest)
- when the Book of the Gospels is presented for reading, the deacon/priest will announce the reading with the words “The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to ___”.
This is the only time we use this move, to acknowledge the gospel is in our minds, our mouth, and our heart.
standing (as you are able)
- during all processionals/recessional
- during most prayers/Collects
- during the Gloria (“Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth…”)
- during the Alleluia/tract for gospel procession/reading of the gospel
- during the Nicene Creed/prayers of the people
- during the peace
- as an all-purpose alternative to kneeling
Not just a reason to stretch legs, standing is a position for prayer and also a position of respect.
sitting
- during old testament reading, psalm reading/singing/chanting, and epistle reading
- during sermon
- after peace and during announcements/offering
- after returning to the pew after communion (after kneeling or instead of kneeling)
I’ll be honest, I don’t know if sitting is an official prayer position, but I think any position can be a position of prayer, so we’ll go with it.
kneeling (as you are able, use the kneeler)
- in some congregations, during the prayers of the people
- during confession of sin (“Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you…”) and absolution
- after singing the Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy lord… Hosanna in the highest!”) for remainder of Eucharistic Prayer
- at the altar rail
- after returning to the pew after communion
- during post-communion prayer
Standing is always an appropriate alternative to kneeling (even if you do not see many others doing it) and sitting is a fine alternative for those who cannot remain standing/kneeling or those who do not wish to assume either position in prayer.
