Authoritative statement on communion while kneeling?

[benedictgal]

Right now your best bet is to wait until the New Translation of the Missal is published/in offical use since the GIRM in that seems to say that anyone can receive kneeling.

The only thing is since standing remains the norm would it be worth considering standing and making a profound bow before receiving so as not to be going against the rest of the community. To give an example, I know a nun who entered a monastery where the custom is to receive in the hand. She had always received on the tongue, but rather than seperate herself from the community she started receiving on the hand. As she said, many of them were much holier than her and there is a need in religious life to be with the community (so long as it is not sinful).

The 2011 GIRM is already in effect. Its effective date is not contingent on when revised translation comes into use.

The CDWDS has received numerous letters from both bishops and lay faithful regarding the issue of kneeling to receive Holy Communion. In all of these cases, the CDWDS has reiterated that it is the right of the communicant to kneel when receiving Holy Communion. In fact, the indult was given to the US to establish standing as the norm so long as those who chose to kneel were not being denired their right.

 

[Vincent_Francis]

Thanks for all this. The situation in the USA is clear. But what about United Kingdom (England)? Presumably it is the same! There is another aspect to this question. In my diocese the Bishop has recently called for more reverence when receiving. Would it be valid to genuflect and then receive whilst standing for both kinds?

 

[Canto]

CDWDS Prot. N. 1322/02/L …Priests should understand that the Congregation will regard future complaints [being denied Communion for kneeling] of this nature with great seriousness, and if they are verified, it intends to seek disciplinary action consonant with the** gravity of the pastoral abuse.**

CDWDS Prot. N. 47/03/L …while this Congregation gave the recognitio to the norm desired by the Bishops’ Conference of your country that people stand for Holy Communion, this was done on the condition that communicants who choose to kneel are not to be denied Holy Communion on these grounds. Indeed, **the faithful should not be imposed upon **nor accused of disobedience and of acting illicitly when they kneel to receive Holy Communion".

 

[ciero]

How bout no? The teaching of the Church are the teachings of Christ, firstly. Secondly, the angels dancing thing is an in-joke and myth and is not at all related to this. Lastly, calling the Eucharist and associated practises a “magic show” is disgusting.

I think he is within his rights to show his formation supervisor the guidelines. He hasn’t been told to sin, but he was been told that doing something is against Church teaching when it isn’t, and he has been told he cannot do something when he legitimately can. He’s no training to be a Franciscan so he doesn’t have to blindly follow . He can kindly, and humbly, bring it up with official documents and give his case as to why he would like to kneel. Perhaps there are good reasons that they don’t want him to. Perhaps there aren’t. It doesn’t hurt to ask and it certainly doesn’t hurt to give OFFICIAL Church teaching on the matter.

It’s also a good way to get kicked out of the seminary.

 

[NewsTheMan]

It’s also a good way to get kicked out of the seminary.

Really? I suppose you’ve been a formation supervisor, huh? What a bizarre statement.

“Reverand Father, I don’t mean to be rude or out of line but I just want to clarify something. I was told not to kneel to recieve communion. From what I have read I am within my rights to do so, and my conscience tells me to do so out of respect for the Lord. I don’t want to be disobediant but I just wanted to make sure because I was confused and it has been on my mind.”

“My dear boy, please sign here, these are your expulsion papers. Good day to you”

Yes, yes, I see your point.

 

[ciero]

Really? I suppose you’ve been a formation supervisor, huh? What a bizarre statement.

“Reverand Father, I don’t mean to be rude or out of line but I just want to clarify something. I was told not to kneel to recieve communion. From what I have read I am within my rights to do so, and my conscience tells me to do so out of respect for the Lord. I don’t want to be disobediant but I just wanted to make sure because I was confused and it has been on my mind.”

“My dear boy, please sign here, these are your expulsion papers. Good day to you”

Yes, yes, I see your point.

As someone who has done much work with the local seminary over the years…I have seen time and time again…men who do not toe the party line while in seminary…do not get ordained. Unfortunate? Yes. But very true!

 

[NewsTheMan]

As someone who has done much work with the local seminary over the years…I have seen time and time again…men who do not toe the party line while in seminary…do not get ordained. Unfortunate? Yes. But very true!

Well, we can question your knowledge of these situations and have a back and forth about what really happened in the situations you speak of - how rude these men were, their past behaviour, their individual vocation, etc. In any case, personally, I would question the seminary I went to if they didn’t let me kneel to recieve our Lord. And if they threw me out when I wanted clarification, I would write to the Bishop and the appropriate Congregation. Then I would seek out another seminary where they follow Rome’s instructions, and where a polite clarification doens’t get one thrown out.

 

[ciero]

Well, we can question your knowledge of these situations and have a back and forth about what really happened in the situations you speak of - how rude these men were, their past behaviour, their individual vocation, etc. In any case, personally, I would question the seminary I went to if they didn’t let me kneel to recieve our Lord. And if they threw me out when I wanted clarification, I would write to the Bishop and the appropriate Congregation. Then I would seek out another seminary where they follow Rome’s instructions, and where a polite clarification doens’t get one thrown out.

Go for it man…looks like you will go far in life! Ever heard of the word naive?

 

[ElToro]

I assume that the Congregation for Divine Worship would be the correct Vatican body to contact.

You can read the whole thing [here](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...0423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html#Chapter IV).

Again, the full text can be found here.

Basically your formator is right to ask you to stand, since that is the norm for the US, BUT you can never be denied Communion because you kneel.

Very well put. Those obstinate in the demand to kneel seem to forget about the accompanying language on catchesis outside of Mass.

 

[NewsTheMan]

Go for it man…looks like you will go far in life! Ever heard of the word naive?

So I assume the sarcasm means I won’t “go far in life”? Or that I am “naive”? Ah. Well, guess we shall see. Hopefully I can be as succesful as you!

 

[MissRose73]

Thanks for all this. The situation in the USA is clear. But what about United Kingdom (England)? Presumably it is the same! There is another aspect to this question. In my diocese the Bishop has recently called for more reverence when receiving. Would it be valid to genuflect and then receive whilst standing for both kinds?

I am wondering the same as I will be in the UK just after Xmas, and plan on going to Mass at least 1 time during my vacation. I just wish to be prepared and do as others do in terms of receiving Holy Communion. I know the norm for the US is standing with most choosing to receive in the hand with the exception of the Extra Ordinary Form Mass.

 

[ciero]

So I assume the sarcasm means I won’t “go far in life”? Or that I am “naive”? Ah. Well, guess we shall see. Hopefully I can be as succesful as you!

Good luck! With your attitude you will go far in Religous life.

 

[Ter1]

I am wondering the same as I will be in the UK just after Xmas, and plan on going to Mass at least 1 time during my vacation. I just wish to be prepared and do as others do in terms of receiving Holy Communion. I know the norm for the US is standing with most choosing to receive in the hand with the exception of the Extra Ordinary Form Mass.

Standing to receive is the norm in the UK. Also since the custom of bowing/genuflecting before receiving is still relatively new/rare (mainly coming out of organisations like Youth2000) it might be easier for other people if you bowed just before you step forward to receive (less startling for the one giving out Communion and those behind you).

 

[MissRose73]

Standing to receive is the norm in the UK. Also since the custom of bowing/genuflecting before receiving is still relatively new/rare (mainly coming out of organisations like Youth2000) it might be easier for other people if you bowed just before you step forward to receive (less startling for the one giving out Communion and those behind you).

Ok, I normally do a bow that I normally do before approaching the Communion rail at EF Masses. I will do that when visiting the UK as I am accustomed to bowing when being offered Communion here in the USA.

 

[NewsTheMan]

Good luck! With your attitude you will go far in Religous life.

Thank you! I hope you succeed in all your endeavours

 

[nice2000]

clericalwhispers.blogspot.com/2009/08/pope-benedict-to-catholics-kneel-for.html

“Whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the Body and of the Blood of the Lord… For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the Body of the Lord” - 1 Corinthians 11:27,28

Pope Benedict to Catholics:
Kneel and Receive on the Tongue Only
Pope Benedict XVI does not want the faithful receiving Communion in their hand nor does he want them standing to receive Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. According to Vatican liturgist, Monsignor Guido Marini, the pope is trying to set the stage for the whole church as to the proper norm for receiving Communion for which reason communicants at his papal Masses are now asked to kneel and receive on the tongue.
The Holy Father’s reasoning is simple: “We Christians kneel before the Blessed Sacrament because, therein, we know and believe to be the presence of the One True God.” (May 22, 2008)
According to the pope the entire Church should kneel in adoration before God in the Eucharist. “Kneeling in adoration before the Eucharist is the most valid and radical remedy against the idolatries of yesterday and today” (May 22, 2008)
The pope’s action is in accord with the Church’s 2000 year tradition and is being done in order to foster a renewed love and respect for the Eucharist which presently is being mocked and treated with contempt. The various trends and innovations of our time (guitar liturgy, altar girls, lay ministers, Communion in the hand) have worked together to destroy our regard for the Eucharist, thus advancing the spiritual death of the church. After all, the Eucharist is the very life and heartbeat of the Mystical Body around which the entire Church must revolve.

 

[paperwight66]

clericalwhispers.blogspot.com/2009/08/pope-benedict-to-catholics-kneel-for.html

“Whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the Body and of the Blood of the Lord… For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the Body of the Lord” - 1 Corinthians 11:27,28

Pope Benedict to Catholics:
Kneel and Receive on the Tongue Only
Pope Benedict XVI does not want the faithful receiving Communion in their hand nor does he want them standing to receive Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. According to Vatican liturgist, Monsignor Guido Marini, the pope is trying to set the stage for the whole church as to the proper norm for receiving Communion for which reason communicants at his papal Masses are now asked to kneel and receive on the tongue.
/QUOTE]

As has been pointed out more than once, we need to read the Pope’s latest book, the Light of the World, to get an idea of his present thinking.

In it he says that he has no problem with CITH, and that he has both given and received that way himself. The reasons why he insists on COTT kneeling for those receiving directly from him are firstly, to emphasise the holiness of the occasion to onlookers, for instance, tv viewers, and secondly, to avoid the appalling phenomenon of the Host being kept as a souvenir.

I would rather take the Pope’s teaching from his latest book than from a Cardinal’s opinions based on statements several years old, to be honest.

 

[benedictgal]

clericalwhispers.blogspot.com/2009/08/pope-benedict-to-catholics-kneel-for.html

“Whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the Body and of the Blood of the Lord… For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the Body of the Lord” - 1 Corinthians 11:27,28

Pope Benedict to Catholics:
Kneel and Receive on the Tongue Only
Pope Benedict XVI does not want the faithful receiving Communion in their hand nor does he want them standing to receive Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. According to Vatican liturgist, Monsignor Guido Marini, the pope is trying to set the stage for the whole church as to the proper norm for receiving Communion for which reason communicants at his papal Masses are now asked to kneel and receive on the tongue.
/QUOTE]

As has been pointed out more than once, we need to read the Pope’s latest book, the Light of the World, to get an idea of his present thinking.

In it he says that he has no problem with CITH, and that he has both given and received that way himself. The reasons why he insists on COTT kneeling for those receiving directly from him are firstly, to emphasise the holiness of the occasion to onlookers, for instance, tv viewers, and secondly, to avoid the appalling phenomenon of the Host being kept as a souvenir.

I would rather take the Pope’s teaching from his latest book than from a Cardinal’s opinions based on statements several years old, to be honest.

He receives CITH because he is ordained. Concelebrants do employ CITH. Would you please cite the direct quote from the Holy Father?

 

[paperwight66]

paperwight66;8304731:

He receives CITH because he is ordained. Concelebrants do employ CITH. Would you please cite the direct quote from the Holy Father?

Certainly. Here you are.

Nov 28, '10, 2:57 pm
paperwight66
Regular Member Join Date: August 29, 2010
Location: Liverpool UK
Posts: 525
Religion: Catholic

Pope Benedict and CITH

---

An interesting quote from ‘Light of the World’, the book-length interview published this week, and highlighted in The Tablet (www.thetablet.co.uk)

His Holiness said,

'I am not opposed in principle to Communion in the hand; I have both administered and received Communion this way myself…

The idea behind my current practice of having people kneel and receive Communion on the tongue was to send a signal and to underscore the Real Presence with an exclamation point. One very important reason is that there is a great danger of superficiality precisely in the kinds of mass events we hold in St. Peter’s. …I have heard of people who, after receiving Communion, stick the host in their wallet to take home as a kind of souvenir’.’.

The Tablet also reported that Queen Sophia of Spain did not kneel when it was her turn to receive from him during his recent visit to Spain, and that she also stretched out her hands. The Pope gave her CITH without comment (although the cleric standing by nearly had a fit).

The Pope saying he was ‘not opposed in principle to Communion in the hand’ will come as a surprise to some, I think.

 

[benedictgal]

benedictgal;8304742:

Certainly. Here you are.

Nov 28, '10, 2:57 pm
paperwight66
Regular Member Join Date: August 29, 2010
Location: Liverpool UK
Posts: 525
Religion: Catholic

Pope Benedict and CITH

---

An interesting quote from ‘Light of the World’, the book-length interview published this week, and highlighted in The Tablet (www.thetablet.co.uk

)

His Holiness said,

'I am not opposed in principle to Communion in the hand; I have both administered and received Communion this way myself…

The idea behind my current practice of having people kneel and receive Communion on the tongue was to send a signal and to underscore the Real Presence with an exclamation point. One very important reason is that there is a great danger of superficiality precisely in the kinds of mass events we hold in St. Peter’s. …I have heard of people who, after receiving Communion, stick the host in their wallet to take home as a kind of souvenir’.’.

The Tablet also reported that Queen Sophia of Spain did not kneel when it was her turn to receive from him during his recent visit to Spain, and that she also stretched out her hands. The Pope gave her CITH without comment (although the cleric standing by nearly had a fit).

The Pope saying he was ‘not opposed in principle to Communion in the hand’ will come as a surprise to some, I think.

The Tablet, as I have read it, is not necessarily the most reliable source. Maybe it used to be, but, now, it is the UK’s version of the National Catholic Reporter. It would be better to quote the actual book instead of reading a writer or magazine’s particular spin on it.