Question
What is the proper posture of the presider for the Post Communion. Is EITHER sitting or standing acceptable???
--Sitting in Seattle
Answer
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal 2002, paragraph 164 says: "Afterwards [distribution of holy Communion] the priest may return to the chair. A sacred silence may now be observed for some period of time, or a Psalm or another canticle of praise or a hymn may be sung."
Then in paragraph 165:
Then standing at the chair or at the altar and facing the people the priest with hands, Oremus (Let us pray); then, with hands extended, he recites the prayer after Communion.
The Ceremonial of Bishops 166 says:
When the bishop returns to the chair after the communion, he puts on the skullcap and, if need be, washes his hands. All are seated and a period of prayerful silence may follow, or a song of praise or a psalm may be sung."
Taking the above two statements together with the Order of Mass, seems like there is an indication that the presiding celebrant sits after communion. However, paragraph 43 in GIRM also indicates that after the "Amen," all stand until the end of the Mass.