Topic: Who is allowed to sit in the altar area during Mass?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: December 15, 2002

Moderator who originally posted this source: Mary Pat Fourqurean

Question:   Who is allowed to sit in the altar area during Mass. We have reams of pews in the sanctuary and it is almost wide open to anyone. I was under the impression, except for performing certain functions, extraordinary ministers of communion coming up from the congregation or the book carriers placing the sacramentary, then they would return to their pews when done. There is a controversy going on and it would nice to know the rules, or at least where to find them. I've checked the GIRM and CANON LAW but am unable to reference anything.

Answer: 

Dear Joseph,

Thank you for your question. But I am unclear: you asked about who may sit "in the altar area during Mass" and then you mentioned "pews", and so I assume you are asking who may sit in the pews near the altar as opposed to asking who may sit on the altar, yes? No? But regardless of which it is, I can say that only bishops, priests and deacons can sit on the altar. And of course, as you say, the eucharistic ministers and lectors can (and have to) go up into the altar area, but they never remain seated there. They return to their pews when their function is through. And in terms of GIRM and Canon Law, I know of no other source that might help you. Mary Pat Fourqurean.