Popes St. Pius X, Pius XI, and Pius XII all desired that the faithful should "be aware that to participate in the Eucharistic Sacrifice is their chief duty and supreme dignity, and not in an inert and negligent fashion" and therefore take "an active part in the venerated mysteries and the public solemn prayers of the Church".

This unique guide helps to fulfill these popes' holy desire and foster the faithful's active participation during the traditional Roman Mass by indicating the proper times when to sit, stand or kneel at Mass. Most importantly, this card makes the distinction between the participation rules at a High or Solemn Mass and Low Mass.

Unlike other guides (even those printed in laity missals), this folding card also includes some notes on when to bow or make the appropriate liturgical gesture (e.g., sign of the cross or striking the breast). It even features a note on when to kneel at sung Requiems and certain penitential Masses (something often missed).

This card is perhaps the most accurate Mass participation guide currently available as many "guides" have been merely been made up without reliance upon rubrics or ceremonial principles (let alone the act's accompanying significance), or simply apply rules for Low Mass to sung Masses. However, the rules of this guide are based upon those described in the Caeremoniale Episcoporum for the clergy (that the faithful should generally follow) and long-sanctioned customs prevalent in America.

But why should we be concerned on when to stand, sit or kneel? Or even when to make the sign of the cross or bow? Because concerning the moral virtue of religion, St. Thomas Aquinas teaches in the Summa that the logical outcome of public religious acts is to honor God not only in mind, but also with the entire body. Furthermore, the postures of standing, sitting or kneeling are highly significant; for example, we generally stand to sing, sit to listen, and kneel to adore, show contrition or supplicate.

This folding card is 6.5in tall x 4in wide (folds out completely to 8in) and will conveniently fit in most missals or prayer books. Legibly printed in red and black ink on holy card stock.