Q: I recently read that the current version of the GIRM requires the people to stand when the priest says “Pray, brethren.” (In fact, some stand as if they were shot out of a cannon.) Yet the missal in the proper location states that the people should wait until the end and stand for the “Suscipiat.” Which is correct? Have the bishops said anything that I may have missed? Thank you for your consideration.
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A: I treated this in my book Let Us Pray. The Order of Mass 29 and GIRM 146 say that the people stand for their response. GIRM 43 indicates that they stand from the beginning. If incense is used, people are already standing from the beginning of the invitation and response.
So, I think you can take your pick. But I think that humanly speaking the response looks more like a dialogue if the people are standing before the priest addresses them.