The General Instruction of the Roman Missal emphasizes that in matters of gesture and posture "greater attention needs to be paid to what is laid down by liturgical law and by the traditional practice of the Roman Rite, for the sake of the common spiritual good of the people of God rather than to personal inclination or arbitrary choice" (GIRM, #42). Throughout their consideration of GIRM numbers 43 and 160, the bishops repeatedly recalled the need for uniformity in all prescribed postures and gestures. Such uniformity serves as a "sign of the unity of the members of the Christian community gathered for the sacred Liturgy" and it "both expresses and fosters the spiritual attitude of those assisting" (sense of individualism). A particular example of this disunity has been cited by many of the bishops in regard to a diversity of postures during the Eucharistic Prayer, "the center and summit of the entire celebration" (GIRM, #78). Thus, the variation from kneeling as the uniform posture during the Eucharistic Prayer is permitted only “on occasion” and when the circumstances found by GIRM (#43) are clearly present.
In describing the indispensable role of the gathered faithful at Mass, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal presents them as "a holy people, a chosen people, a royal priesthood" who "give thanks to God and offer the Victim not only through the hands of the priest but also together with him and learn to offer themselves" (GIRM, # 95). Two responsibilities grow from this noble identity: "fostering a deep sense of reverence for God as well as developing charity towards their brothers and sisters who share with them in the celebration" (GIRM #95). Such a sense of reverence for God and charity for the other members of the liturgical assembly is concretely manifested by a unity in word, song, posture and gesture. Thus, this section concludes that the faithful are to shun any appearance of individualism or division, keeping before their eyes that they have the one Father in heaven and therefore are all brothers and sisters to each other (GIRM #95)