Q: What is the posture of the Assembly during the Litany of Saints before the Blessing of Water and Baptismal liturgy? My pastor indicated that we should kneel, but in my past experiences I recall standing. In fairness, I have cantored the litany for almost two decades and have stood while doing so…so I may be thinking of my own posture and not that of the Assembly! And on a related note, whether we stand or kneel during the Litany of Saints, at what (if any) point do we change posture (i.e. seated)?

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A: Standing. No. 41 clearly states that all stand because it is Easter Time. Even at the ordination of a priest, the assembly stands for the litany if it is Easter Time—otherwise, they kneel. I believe this comes from the Council of Nicaea, no less, which forbade kneeling at Easter. My understanding is that people best remain standing throughout baptism and confirmation, and are seated for the preparation of the gifts as usual.

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