Awkwardness kneeling for communion at NO Mass

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woowar

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I have very recently started kneeling for communion on the tongue. My parish is exclusively Novus Ordo where nobody kneels and with the exception of one other person, everyone recieves communion in the hand. I try to be last in the line so as not to cause a disturbance but I still fell a little awkward. I definitely don’t want to be the centre of attention yet equally don’t want to capitulate and go back to reciving communion in the hand whilst standing. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend a TLM on Sunday as this would solve my problem!!🙂 Although my kneeling has generated one or two positive comments, that’s not why I am doing it. Any suggestions to overcome or alleviate the feeling of awkwardness?
 
woowar said:
I have very recently started kneeling for communion on the tongue. My parish is exclusively Novus Ordo where nobody kneels and with the exception of one other person, everyone recieves communion in the hand. I try to be last in the line so as not to cause a disturbance but I still fell a little awkward. I definitely don’t want to be the centre of attention yet equally don’t want to capitulate and go back to reciving communion in the hand whilst standing. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend a TLM on Sunday as this would solve my problem!!🙂 Although my kneeling has generated one or two positive comments, that’s not why I am doing it. Any suggestions to overcome or alleviate the feeling of awkwardness?
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Simply continue doing it. It will become second nature. I’ve watched as one man started kneeling to receive at an OF weekday Mass and slowly, more are doing so. The church has a rail, and kneeler pads. I’m going to ask the pastor if we can begin receiving at the rail, perhaps as you suggest, by getting at the end of the line so the priest won’t have to move back and forth.

btw, you might enjoy watching the video linked to in my signature 🙂
 
woowar said:
I have very recently started kneeling for communion on the tongue. My parish is exclusively Novus Ordo where nobody kneels and with the exception of one other person, everyone recieves communion in the hand. I try to be last in the line so as not to cause a disturbance but I still fell a little awkward. I definitely don’t want to be the centre of attention yet equally don’t want to capitulate and go back to reciving communion in the hand whilst standing. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend a TLM on Sunday as this would solve my problem!!🙂 Although my kneeling has generated one or two positive comments, that’s not why I am doing it. Any suggestions to overcome or alleviate the feeling of awkwardness?
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Well it is not a “Novus Ordo” mass. It is hardly new. It is the Ordo Missie" yes forgive my spelling please. It is the ‘ordinary form’ of mass. The Latin mass is the ‘extraordinary form’.
You are not required to receive in the hand. On the tongue is acceptable and even preferred.
Kneeling is not required either but is very nice to see. My hips prevent me from doing so so I make a profound bow, not a little tip of the head that is so common in the OF.

There is no way to not feel akward kneeling for communion when it is virtually nonexistent in most OF parishes. Waiting to be last is polite and I feel that you are setting a good, reverent example for those around you. But you ARE acting differently so you DO stand out from the crowd. Don’t worry about them. Concentrate on Jesus and you will start to feel less akward. You may even inspire others to kneel.

Peace
 
woowar said:
I have very recently started kneeling for communion on the tongue. My parish is exclusively Novus Ordo where nobody kneels and with the exception of one other person, everyone recieves communion in the hand. I try to be last in the line so as not to cause a disturbance but I still fell a little awkward. I definitely don’t want to be the centre of attention yet equally don’t want to capitulate and go back to reciving communion in the hand whilst standing. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend a TLM on Sunday as this would solve my problem!!🙂 Although my kneeling has generated one or two positive comments, that’s not why I am doing it. Any suggestions to overcome or alleviate the feeling of awkwardness?
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It is a very awkward feeling as even though you are last in line many do notice it.

For over a year I received Him at OF masses kneeling and on the tongue.I tried to be discreet and the last in line assuming that most people are in their pews kneeling and meditating on the Sacrament at that time,however I was noticed, but it was with positive comments and smiles ,mostly from elderly people who cannot physically kneel.

Lately I have been receiving standing because an elderly priest almost dropped the Host trying to bend down and administer to me. Shortly after that another priest administered in such a quick manner the Host broke apart and almost flew out of my mouth.

Continue to kneel though,as it is the most profound gesture of reverence. As JPII said no other show of reverence is necessary when you kneel because that is the ultimate sign of humility. Just remember you are kneeling before Jesus,King of Kings who died to ransom you.
 
Just do it. Give no thought to your place in line. Your place is on your knees, worshipping the King and God of the Universe. Please Him first; others are a very distant second.
 
It is difficult for me to kneel; but I have been receiving communion on the tongue for a while. I genuflect partially first and my hands are folded in prayer. This is my preference. Forget about everyone else and try not to notice them. God bless you.
 
As I am still among the unwashed, I prefer to stand for the entirety of the Holy Mass, back in the baptistery. It’s a symbol of the fact that I’ve yet to enter God’s Church. Since pews were invented specifically for the long, tedious Protestant sermons, it seems more Catholic to stand too. 😃 Anyway, my position at the very back of the somewhat long cathedral allows me to wait for a proper time to go up to the sanctuary for a blessing (if I feel I need one). For cleanliness’ sake - and so the baptised of the Holy Spirit can go first - I wait until everyone else has gone forward. In this case, I always genuflect and remain “genuflected” when asking for this blessing, arms cross over my chest. I really don’t care what anyone thinks, because I can feel the light of Christ’s holy love pouring into my soul when the celebrant places his hands on my forehead.

Today was very beautiful, since even the archbishop in his purple vestments and white miter didn’t seem to mind blessing my on-one-knee’d self. 😉 Anyway, my question is: do those who kneel for Holy Communion truly do it on both knees? Isn’t it awkward to try to fall down on both and get up quickly, so as not to be a nuisance?
 
GloriousOrder said:
Anyway, my question is: do those who kneel for Holy Communion truly do it on both knees? Isn’t it awkward to try to fall down on both and get up quickly, so as not to be a nuisance?
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I cannot answer for the others, but I genuflect on my right knee to receive Him. Although every once in a while I will fall down on both (purposefully). However, I am fifteen, I am young. I can stand rather easily and quickly. Then again ,most of the time I receive Him is while serving the Altar, so I am not a great judge. But, at the times where I am just regular Parishioner, I don’t see myself as a nuisance.

To reiterate, I usually just go down on my right knee to receive Him.

~ Pius :knight1:
 
GloriousOrder said:
As I am still among the unwashed, I prefer to stand for the entirety of the Holy Mass, back in the baptistery. It’s a symbol of the fact that I’ve yet to enter God’s Church. Since pews were invented specifically for the long, tedious Protestant sermons, it seems more Catholic to stand too. 😃 Anyway, my position at the very back of the somewhat long cathedral allows me to wait for a proper time to go up to the sanctuary for a blessing (if I feel I need one). For cleanliness’ sake - and so the baptised of the Holy Spirit can go first - I wait until everyone else has gone forward. In this case, I always genuflect and remain “genuflected” when asking for this blessing, arms cross over my chest. I really don’t care what anyone thinks, because I can feel the light of Christ’s holy love pouring into my soul when the celebrant places his hands on my forehead.

Today was very beautiful, since even the archbishop in his purple vestments and white miter didn’t seem to mind blessing my on-one-knee’d self. 😉 Anyway, my question is: do those who kneel for Holy Communion truly do it on both knees? Isn’t it awkward to try to fall down on both and get up quickly, so as not to be a nuisance?
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I’m not sure whether the moratorium on this topic that exists in the L&S forum also applies here, but you should read the sticky over there on the topic of going up just for a “special blessing” at Communion. If you are trying to come off as traditional (kneeling; standing because it is too “Protestant” to sit down) then the last thing you should ever do is go up for a personal blessing.
 
Hey, I’m going on 71 and I still kneel for communion no matter which form of the Mass I attend. Yes, its getting more difficult to get up and down but I’ll keep on keeping on for as long as I can

PS; please say a prayer for a man I met after Mass today. He is pretty down and out. Got him a meal and a new blanket. His name is Ambrose.
 
corsair said:
Hey, I’m going on 71 and I still kneel for communion no matter which form of the Mass I attend. Yes, its getting more difficult to get up and down but I’ll keep on keeping on for as long as I can

PS; please say a prayer for a man I met after Mass today. He is pretty down and out. Got him a meal and a new blanket. His name is Ambrose.
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Keep fighting the good fight.

I will pray for Ambrose, I also must commend your actions. By doing that, you have helped more than just Ambrose, you have helped many more by being a rolemodel for others.

God Bless You.

~ Pius :knight1:
 
God Bless you for your kindness. Our family will say a prayer for him during our family rosary. But for the grace of God go I. Times are tough. So kind of you to help. Many would not.
 
NOTICE

The poster did not say that anyone was being unkind. Please refrain from making comments that suggest “us vs. them”. Those are the kind of comments that get this kind of question banned. Such statements are divisive and trigger unnecessary arguments.

Thomas Casey
Moderator
 
woowar said:
I have very recently started kneeling for communion on the tongue. My parish is exclusively Novus Ordo where nobody kneels and with the exception of one other person, everyone recieves communion in the hand. I try to be last in the line so as not to cause a disturbance but I still fell a little awkward. I definitely don’t want to be the centre of attention yet equally don’t want to capitulate and go back to reciving communion in the hand whilst standing. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend a TLM on Sunday as this would solve my problem!!🙂 Although my kneeling has generated one or two positive comments, that’s not why I am doing it. Any suggestions to overcome or alleviate the feeling of awkwardness?
Click to expand...
Analyze why you are feeling awkward. Is it because you think other people are looking funny at you? Or is it that you think you may be offending other people? But as you’ve said, you received positive comments from other people, that should give you a boost of confidence. At least you know that its not being taken negatively.
 
MarkThompson said:
I’m not sure whether the moratorium on this topic that exists in the L&S forum also applies here, but you should read the sticky over there on the topic of going up just for a “special blessing” at Communion. If you are trying to come off as traditional (kneeling; standing because it is too “Protestant” to sit down) then the last thing you should ever do is go up for a personal blessing.
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My friend, I am not trying to “come off” as traditional; in fact, I’m trying to develop a strong sense of God’s presence. I want to do that which is right, not to be seen.

Do you know why I go up to receive a blessing on Sundays? It’s not so that I may be seen kneeling, or that I might be observed to be pious! God knows I feel terribly awkward and silly going up alone through the aisle while everyone else is kneeling. I really do it so I can be right in front of the consecrated Hosts! There’s no way for me to see Christ immediately in the Eucharist until I have been baptised, so I want every opportunity I can get to be near Him. Adoration is impossible for me at the moment, and the Tabernacle is a veil upon His glorious countenance… so a blessing is the closest I can get. 🙂

Thank you for the link, regardless. What’s right is what comes first, so if a blessing isn’t right it must be pushed away. The instruction seems clear enough; after all, I did feel guilty going for a personal blessing just before the celebrant blesses us all in the name of the Trinity at the dismissal! It seems awfully arrogant of me to presume to get a personal blessing. A Jesuit came here to offer Mass in July, and he told us to come forward for “Communion or a blessing, whatever you wish”, so I thought it was fine! 😊 Sorry about that, my brethren.
 
Woowar,

I am in the same boat as you.

In Perth city there is a tiny chapel where I attend Mass on my lunchbreaks where most people kneel to receive the Eucharist. After experiencing this I find it difficult not to kneel.

On Saturday morning I asked the priest of my local parish if it was ok if I kneel somewhat as an alert to him - his response was it was my decision but it effectively will be a nuisance and others will talk what is going on, etc. I personally don’t think this is acceptable and is really a sign of the age and a symptom of lukewarm Catholicism. If Christ is truly present in the sacrament then surely kneeling out of complete reverance at the very least shouldn’t be discouraged.

Those who may criticise us for kneeling most likely have little understanding of the Eucharist and likely attend Mass for the wrong reasons (ie to socialise, obligation). I think we have to stick to our convictions and carry the cross even if some may negatively gossip about our actions - over time by continually cultivating passion and reverance toward our Lord, we will become immune from being concerned about criticism, and hopefully others will join us.

All the best,
Jamey
 
I know what you mean. I always make sure to get in the priest’s line because I refuse to receive from a Eucharistic minister. Im also usually the only one that kneels and veils. Basically, I avoid the NO at all costs.
 
GloriousOrder said:
As I am still among the unwashed, I prefer to stand for the entirety of the Holy Mass, back in the baptistery. It’s a symbol of the fact that I’ve yet to enter God’s Church. Since pews were invented specifically for the long, tedious Protestant sermons, it seems more Catholic to stand too. 😃 Anyway, my position at the very back of the somewhat long cathedral allows me to wait for a proper time to go up to the sanctuary for a blessing (if I feel I need one). For cleanliness’ sake - and so the baptised of the Holy Spirit can go first - I wait until everyone else has gone forward. In this case, I always genuflect and remain “genuflected” when asking for this blessing, arms cross over my chest. I really don’t care what anyone thinks, because I can feel the light of Christ’s holy love pouring into my soul when the celebrant places his hands on my forehead.

Today was very beautiful, since even the archbishop in his purple vestments and white miter didn’t seem to mind blessing my on-one-knee’d self. 😉 Anyway, my question is: do those who kneel for Holy Communion truly do it on both knees? Isn’t it awkward to try to fall down on both and get up quickly, so as not to be a nuisance?
Click to expand...
No it is not difficult to fall to your knees. I used to do it sort of conciously as genuflecting on one knee and letting the other knee come down but it is very easy to lose your balance that way.

What you do is literally fall to your knees,letting both knees bend at the same time with the weight of your body supported by the balls of your feet. I dont know how to describe it but I learned it from a young girt who was ahead of me in the communion line.It was very natural and beautiful to watch this girl show such profound reverence. It is very easy to get up again too unless you have bad knees,lol
 
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