Recently I have attained a Roman Missal so as to better follow the +Traditional Latin Mass. In its introduction it contains different +sections on the Catholic Faith and how to live it. One of these sections +describes the proper etiquette one should observe while at the Holy +Sacrifice of the Mass. I thought it was interesting, so I figured I +would translate it (from Spanish) in the hopes that it may be useful for +anyone who is looking to understand what reverence should be shown to +our Lord while in His presence. Enjoy.
+ +Upon entering the temple where it is reserved with due posture, make +a simple genuflection (bending the right knee until it touches +the floor) towards the Tabernacle. Above all direct yourself to the +altar of the Sacrament, and bending both knees, pray for some time. It +is not proper to direct one's prayers to any image without first +directing oneself to Jesus Christ, truly present in the Eucharist. It is +also irreverent to immediately seat oneself without first praying on +one's knees for a few moments; and it is disrespectful to greet and +speak with acquaintances.
+ +Whenever you pass in front of the altar of the Sacrament make a +simple genuflection; do the same whenever you pass in front of an +altar where the Holy Mass is being celebrated. In passing in front of an +altar where the Holiest of Holies is solemnly displayed, or where Holy +Communion is being distributed, it is proper to make a double +genuflection (bending both knees and bowing one's head). While the +priest consecrates or elevates the Host or the Chalice, all the faithful +should remain kneeling, and not moving from one place to another. The +same should be done when a priest moves the Holiest of Holies, until he +has passed.
+ +Prayed Mass. The Rubric supposes that the entire Mass, except +the Gospels, is heard kneeling. If you cannot remain knelt without +significant discomfort, change your posture in the following manner:
+ +Standing. 1) During both Gospels and during the Creed (making +a simple genuflection at Et incarnatus +est[a] and at Verbum caro factum +est[b]). 2) During the preface. 3) +From the Dominus vobiscum [the Lord be with you] that +precedes the Postcommunion, until the ite, Missa est +[go in peace].
+ +Seated. 1) From the Offering Prayer until the beginning of the +Preface. 2) Once the priest and the faithful have received Communion, +until the Dominus vobiscum that precedes the +Postcommunion.
+ +Kneeling. Everything else.
+ +Solemn Mass. Kneeling. 1) From the beginning until the +end of the first incensing. 2) During the Creed, while the choir sings +the Incarnatus est. 3) From the Sanctus until the end of +Holy Communion. 4) When receiving the blessing.
+ +Standing. From the Introito until the beginning of the +Epistle. 2) During the chanting of the Gospel until the minister +finishes praying the Creed, joining the minister in a simple +genuflection at Et incarnatus est. 3) During the incensing of the +offering. 4) During the Preface. 5) From the Dominus +vobiscum that precedes the Postcommunion, until the ite, +Missa est. 6) During the final Gospel, making a simple genuflection +at et Verbum caro factum est.
+ +Seated. 1) Whenever the minister is seated, except when the +et incarnatus est is sung during the Creed, where you will be +kneeling. 2) During the chant of the Epistle until the +Gospel chant begins. 3) From the Offering Prayer until the +beginning of the incensing; and upon its completion, until the +Preface. 4) When Communion has ended, until the Dominus +vobiscum that precedes the Postcommunion.
+ +This is in reference to the incarnation +section of the Nicene Creed, which corresponds in the English version +that says "he came down from Heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was +incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man."
+ +This refers specifically to a section +which is read at the end of the Traditional Latin Liturgy which is a +reading of John I, specifically verse XIV at "and the Word was made +flesh."